Often called the Times Square of Tokyo, the illuminating Ginza square is the premier entertaining, shopping, and dining district of the Japanese capital. Any brand name in fashion you think and it will be found here. The area is so expensive that during the prime time of the Japanese economy in the 90s, a square meter of land at this place cost ten million yens. The prizes have, however, fallen down now. Still the area is very expensive even in these days. Here you can have an infamous cup of coffee for 10 dollars. The venue is the biggest center of tourists' attraction. It is the topmost center for shopping luxury goods in Japan and also the biggest entertainment district of Tokyo.
The square is named Ginza because during the period between 1612 and 1800 there had been a silver coin mint at this place. Since the Japanese for silver is Ginza the square became known by this word. The land where the square is now located was once covered with marsh water before having been reclaimed in 1920.
Abundance of Department Stores
The first major charm of the square is an amazingly large number of department stores. It was after 1923--- the year when horrible earthquake Canto had taken place---that the region began to evolve as a prominent shopping district. Considered to be the birth place of department stores, the Ginza nowadays features a number of them.
There is the Ginza store of the Matsuya chain having shops of household goods, fashion garments, pets, and besides them a travel agency and an exhibition hall as well. Founded at first in 1869 at Yokohama as a kimono shop, it was transferred to Ginza in 1890 and has the pride of being the first departmental store of Ginza. It is accessable from A 12 exit of the Tokyo Ginza Metro Station. Among the other notable department stores are the Ginza stores of Matrukoshi chain of department stores offering goods and services on its twelve floors. The Paris based Printemps chain of department stores has opened its out lets here in 1984 offering fashion, foods, wines, and accessories as well as several restaurants on ten floors. A Japanese affiliate of a tea salon named Angelina, established in Paris in 1903, can also be found on its sixth floor, offering delicious Montblanc cakes.
Recently, Lotte Duty Free Sop belonging to the Republic of South Korea, has decided to open an outlet at the 8th and 9th floors of the Tokyu Plaza near the Tokyo Ginza railway station and accessible from C2 and C3 exits of the Tokyo Metro Ginza Station. Spread over an area of 4420 square meters of both the floors, the outlet will be an enchanting spot for tourists from China for whom Ginza is the number one worth visiting place during their visit to the metropolis. Consumption taxes as well as taxes on alcohol and tobacco will be exempted for customers.
The Ginza Wako had started in 1881 as watch store and is the oldest building of the locality. Its watch tower built in 1932 in the neo-renaisance style has become the landmark of Ginza. On its sixth floor it has a large exhibition hall named the Wako Hall, displaying samples of handicrafts and photography.
Uniqlo has many branches all over the world: its Ginza stores are the largest of all, covering twelve floors of its building. The stor has its sales staff, good at speaking English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean languages so do not have to face any difficulty. It lies at a few minutes walk from A 12 Tokyo metro Ginza station .
Recreation Spots
The next fascinating thing related to the square is the availability of a wide class of entertainment. In addition to department stores, there are several boutiques, art galleries, cafes, night clubs, and restaurants. The Kubikiza theater is the famous Kubika theater of Japan. It has 1,808 seats with commonly three performances a day, and serves around 900,000 viewers annually. The theater's building, constructed in 1881, was destroyed by earthquakes, fire, and war, but has been renovated in 2013 and resembles largely the 19th century structure. Ginza is home to a number of art galleries. In every side street of the square, you will find at least one gallery where you can have a look of artistic items or attend an event.
Blinking Neon-signs
The third notable charm of the Square Ginza is its neon-signs like the Piccadilly Square of London. Every evening when the department stores of the area are closed and shoppers leave, the whole area glitters with lights of neon-signs. A new life begins for tourists that lasts for the entire remaining night.
Because of a number of stores, company showrooms, museums, and art galleries, Ginza square is an interesting place to have a walk. One can easily reach the district from the Ginza station and Yurakucho station. It is situated at just a 15 to 20 minutes walk from Tokyo station and the Yamanote Line. A walk of mere ten minutes to the north will bring you to the outer imperial Gardens Grounds.