Ginza has a wide range of attractions, but if we were to name one element that particularly attracts people to the area, it would be its image as an upscale shopping district. Ginza is lined with world-class brand stores and Japan’s leading luxury department stores, offering the latest fashions, artwork, jewelry, and more. There are also many restaurants and cafes where one can enjoy sophisticated cuisine and service.
Other attractions include an atmosphere steeped in history and culture. Dotted with long-established stores and venues for traditional performing arts, one can feel the fusion of Japanese tradition and modernity just by walking around. Ginza is also home to many museums and theaters, making it a place to enjoy the arts and entertainment.
And the Ginza area itself is also well maintained with beautiful landscaping and street trees, making just walking the streets a pleasant experience. At night, the illuminated buildings and streets become even more gorgeous, creating a romantic atmosphere.
All in all, Ginza is loved by many as a special place in the city that offers an elegant blend of Japanese tradition and modernity, as well as a wealth of opportunities to experience high-quality shopping, dining, and art.
History of Ginza
Edo Period Origins: The name Ginza originally comes from the fact that a money mint (Ginza) was originally located in this area in the early Edo Period. At the time, this area was located near Edo Castle and was a corner where government offices and samurai residences were concentrated.
Changes during the Meiji Era: After the Meiji Restoration, Ginza began to develop as the center of Tokyo. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), Western-style buildings and Western-style streets were developed and modernization progressed. Ginza was also an entertainment center with many theaters and playhouses from that time.
Prosperity in the Taisho and Showa Eras: From the Taisho to Showa Eras, Ginza flourished as one of the most prosperous commercial districts in Tokyo. High-end department stores and restaurants opened one after another, and Ginza served as a center of fashion.
Postwar Reconstruction and Development: After World War II, Ginza was rebuilt as part of the war reconstruction process, and in the 1950s, the area was once again lined with upscale boutiques and stores and became bustling with economic growth.
Modern Ginza: Modern Ginza is known worldwide as an area of luxury brand stores, restaurants, theaters, and museums. At the same time, it continues to evolve, constantly incorporating new fads and trends, while preserving its historical architecture and traditional culture.
Streetscape of Ginza
Luxury brand stores and department stores: Ginza is famous for its luxury brand stores and department stores. Famous domestic and international brands display the latest fashions and jewelry in their show windows, providing a glamorous shopping experience.
Historical buildings: Ginza is also home to many historical buildings. Particularly famous are the Kabuki-za Theater and the former Ginza Koredo Building. These buildings are well known as symbols of Ginza’s history and culture.
Trees and parks: Ginza’s streets are planted with beautiful street trees, and the scenery changes with the seasons. Ginza Chuo-dori is also home to small parks and plazas that are ideal for strolling and resting.
Illuminated night view: At night, the buildings and trees along Ginza are lit up, creating an even more glamorous atmosphere. Especially during events such as the Christmas season, a fantastic sight can be seen.
Vibrant streets and show windows: The streets of Ginza are always bustling with activity and people coming and going. The show windows are decorated with the latest trends and seasonal themes, and are crowded with shoppers and window-shoppers.
Shopping in Ginza
Luxury brand stores: Ginza is home to some of the world’s most prestigious luxury brand shopping streets. Famous fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, and many others line the streets, where you can find the latest collections.
Department Stores: There are numerous department stores in Ginza, offering a wide range of merchandise. From traditional department stores such as Ginza Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, and Takashimaya, new style department stores have emerged such as GINZA SIX in Ginza 6-chome, which offers fashion and lifestyle.
Jewelry and Watches: Ginza is also home to many fine jewelry and watch boutiques. Visitors can purchase diamonds, gemstones, luxury watches, and other products from world-renowned brands.
Traditional Crafts and Souvenirs: Ginza also offers a wide selection of traditional Japanese crafts and souvenirs. Japanese goods, Japanese sweets, tenugui hand towels, lacquerware, and other uniquely Japanese items are available.
Art and Antiques: Ginza also has specialty stores selling art and antiques, where you can see valuable works of art such as paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. Antique jewelry and watches are also popular.
Take a walk in Ginza
Unume-bashi Bridge: In the early Edo period, there was a mansion of Matsudaira Unumenokami, which was burned down in a great fire in 1724 and became a fire cleared area, commonly called “Unume-ga-hara. The name of the bridge is thought to have been derived from this. In 1869 (Meiji 2), Unume-ga-hara became an urban area called Unume-cho, located between Ginza Bricktown and the foreign settlement in Tsukiji, where a new urban area with a mixture of Japanese and Western styles seems to have been formed.
Yamanashi Nichinichi Shimbun Tokyo Branch: The building is by Kenzo Tange. A cylindrical core extends from the basement floor and rises to the top of the building. Steel beams cantilever horizontally from steel columns built into the walls. The overhang is an office building with a cylindrical core extending from the basement floor and rising to the top of the building, with steel beams cantilevering out horizontally from steel columns built into the walls. The overhanging portion is the office. The Yamanashi Nichinichi Shimbun, founded on July 1, 1872, is the oldest local newspaper.
Beer Hall Lion Ginza 7-chome: The oldest existing beer hall in Japan. The concept is “Abundance and Harvest.
Ginza Okuno Building: Designed by Ryoichi Moto. He was the architectural director of Dojunkai, known for the Dojunkai Apartments, and after becoming independent, he worked on the Kudan Kaikan and other buildings. The building still retains the lavishness of its original construction in the early Showa period (1926-1989), so stepping into the building is like stepping back in time.
Café Paulista: Along with Kahi Chakan, this is the oldest coffee shop in Japan, but whether it is the oldest or not is not important. What is important is the introduction of Brazilian coffee, which is the origin of the term “Gin-bura,” and the visits of Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Lennon, and Yoko, but what do you think?
Edo Sanza: According to history, Nakamura-za, Ichimura-za, and Morita-za were authorized to perform Kabuki, but were moved to Asakusa due to the Tempo Reforms. The current Kabuki-za follows the original building, which opened in 1889, and is a historical architecture integrated with the building.
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