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In Aug. 2020, video game and tech enthusiasts mourned the closure of the iconic SEGA Building No. 2 in the Japanese district of Akihabara.

Exactly a year later, it was announced that another SEGA landmark is closing down.

Closing down after 28 years

In a Twitter post, Takashi Kataoka, chairman of Japanese arcade game conglomerate Genda Inc., confirmed that the SEGA Ikebukuro GiGO will be permanently closed.

セガ池袋GiGOが、9/20で閉店することとなりました。賃貸借契約満了で、ビル自体がリニューアルするためです。学生時代の思い出もある池袋GiGO。本当に本当に残念でなりません。
池袋の地に必ず転生させます。

— 片岡 尚 / GENDA会長 (@GENDA_Kataoka) August 2, 2021

In Dec. 2020, Genda Inc. bought over 85.1 per cent of Sega Sammy's shares in the division.

According to SoraNews, the nine-storey amusement arcade will be closed as the building's lease is ending and the building will undergo reconstruction.

He added that he has fond memories of his school days at this particular arcade and said that he was "really, really sorry" for the closure.

The official Twitter page of the Ikebukuro arcade also confirmed its impending closure and stated Sep. 20 as its last day of operations.

【閉館のお知らせ】
セガ池袋GiGOは、施設の定期建物賃貸借契約の満了及びビルのリニューアルに伴い、2021年9月20日（月・祝）の営業をもって閉館いたします。
最後までお客さまに楽しんで頂けるよう従業員一同努めて参りますので、引き続きのご愛顧のほど宜しくお願い致します。#セガ池袋 pic.twitter.com/EWtaFgergi

— GiGO 池袋１号館 (@GiGO_Ikebukuro1) August 2, 2021

SEGA Ikebukuro GiGO opened 28 years ago, in July 1993.

Thanks for the memories

Following the news of the arcade's closure, several online users shared their memories of their visits to the renowned arcade.

NOOOOOOO!!! 😭 I always visit the Sega Ikebukuro Complex to play my crane games and stuff every time I visit Japan!!!

But thank you to the staff for always making my time there enjoyable. https://t.co/8CmoqzEGnV

— Ace_S (@ace_stones) August 2, 2021

😭First arcade I visited on my Japan trip 2 years ago pic.twitter.com/3jXiSBfUu6

— Vin G. (@Raverrevolution) August 2, 2021

Sega GiGO arcade in Ikebukuro is closing September 2021… I assume this means all the connected collab cafes too… thanks for all the memories 🥲 pic.twitter.com/9E28ECHkCI

— 渋谷スマッシュ 𖣔 ☾ ˎˊ˗ mata nero (@shibuyasmash) August 2, 2021

Top image from @ravrrevolution on Twitter and Google Maps/ Jocelyn H.

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