> Ginza Gallery

Ginza located south of Yaesu and Kyobashi, west of Tsukiji, east of Yurakucho and Uchisaiwaicho, and north of Shinbashi. It is known as an upmarket area of Tokyo with many department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops. is a district of Chuo Ward.

Lined with department stores, history and tradition. A place for the Adults. In the 1980's Ginza's "Bubble Years" it has been said that the land market price was worth more then California. Most of the world's famous fashion designers are represented along Ginza's 5th Avenue. Ginza is also known for its very expensive clubs and hostess bars. Some of them sell wine for 100.000 Yen ($1000.00) a bottle.

History

Ginza is named after the silver-coin mint (Gin = silver, za = mint) established there in 1612 during the Edo period.

Modern Ginza began in 1872 when, after a devastating fire, the district was rebuilt with two- and three-story Georgian brick buildings designed by the English architect Thomas Waters, along with a shopping promenade on the street from the Shinbashi bridge to the Kyobashi bridge in the southwestern part of Chuo Ward. Most of these European-style buildings are gone, but some older buildings are still there, most famously the Wako building with its clock tower.

Ginza is a popular destination on weekends, when the main north-south artery is closed to traffic. This policy began in the 1960s under Governor Ryokichi Minobe.

Places to Visit

	Wako Department Store - Built in 1932, the clock tower of the Ginza Wako building is the symbol of the Ginza, standing at the northwest corner of the district's centrally located junction of Chuo and Harumi Dori. Inside the building, jewelry and other luxury items are sold. 10:00 to 18:30. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
	Sony Building - Sony Japan's leading electronic manufacturer, the building is 8 floors plus 3 basements that contain many showrooms that hold Cameras, TV's, Computers, Walkman/VAIO, BMW Pulse Shop, and Playstation. On the 6th floor, devoted solely to Play Station, there are giant screens where the games you request can be played. Showrooms open daily 10:00 to 19:00. Admission free.
	Kabukiza Theater - Stages Kabuki, Japan's original theatrical art. For those who do not understand Kabuki an earphone is available. Two shows per day. Admission vary.
	Hama-rikyu Gardens - Formed in 1948 the gardens of the Tokugawa Shogun family representing the Edo Period. Famous for the "Shiori-no-like" and duck catching ponds. The ponds are the only tidewaters ponds still left in Tokyo.

How To Get There

Ginza Station on the Hibiya, Marunouchi and Ginza Subway Lines and Yurakucho Station on the JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line and Yurakucho Subway Line.