Ginza

store Ginza was built upon a former swamp that was filled in during the 16th century. The name came after the establishment of a silver-coin mint established there in 1612, during the Edo period. After a devastating fire in 1872 burned down most of the area, a chief surveyor of the Public Works under direction of Yamao Yozo, but execution designs were provided by the Irish-born engineer Thomas Waters; Nevertheless, the area flourished as a symbol of "civilization and enlightenment" thanks to the presence of various newspapers and magazine companies, which helped spread the latest trends of the day. The area was also known for its window displays, an example of modern marketing techniques. The area became a popular shopping and meeting destination, with the custom of "killing time in Ginza" developing strongly between the two world wars. Most of these European-style buildings have disappeared, but some older buildings still remain, most famously the Wakō building with the now-iconic Hattori Clock Tower. The building and the clock tower were originally built by Kintarō Hattori, the founder of Seiko. Its recent history has seen it as a prominent outpost of Western luxury shops such as Louis Vuitton and Giorgio Armani. Ginza is a popular destination on weekends, as the main north–south artery has been closed to traffic since the 1960s, under governor Ryokichi Minobe. == Economy ==

Many leading fashion houses' flagship stores are located here, with the area having the highest concentration of Western shops in Tokyo. It is one of two locations in Tokyo considered by Chevalier and Mazzalovo to be the best locations for a luxury goods store. Prominent high-end retailers include the American company Carolina Herrera New York, French companies Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent, Italian company Gucci and Austrian brands Swarovski and Riedel. Ginza is also home to many kimono stores, including Ginza Motoji, Echigo-ya, and Erizen. Many people choose to wear their kimono to visit Ginza and window shop. Flagship electronic retail stores like the Sony showroom (which closed in 2017 and new building would open in 2022) and the first Apple Store outside the United States can be found here (Ginza 2 chome). The electronics company Ricoh is headquartered in the Ricoh Building in Ginza. The neighborhood is a major shopping district. It is home to Wako department store, which is located in a building dating from 1894. The building has a clock tower. There are many department stores in the area, including Hankyu, Seibu, and Matsuya, in which there are many shops: grocery stores, restaurants, women and men clothes, sportswear, and jewellers, etc. There are also art galleries. It was the first sushi restaurant in the world to receive three stars from the Michelin Guide, although it was removed from the Michelin Guide in November 2019 because it does not accept reservations from the general public. File:Mitsukoshi department store at Ginza.jpg|Mitsukoshi department store at Ginza. There are two symbols of lion heads at the entrance, which is a popular meeting place. File:Colourful intersection at Ginza - Tokyo Japan.jpg|The Sony Building and intersection at dusk. The Sony building was demolished in 2017, and the new Sony building is scheduled for completion and opening in fall 2022. File:Kabuki-za Theatre 2013 1125.jpg|Kabuki-za theater is located between Ginza and Tsukiji, about a 15-minute walk away from the Mitsukoshi store. File:Taimei Elementary School in Ginza.JPG|Taimei Elementary School File:Tokyu Plaza Ginza1b.JPG|Tokyu Plaza Ginza, a shopping center with a duty-free shop for visitors from other countries File:Ginza Six 02.jpg|Ginza Six shopping complex, the newest shopping center in Ginza. Dior Cafe is located in this building. File:Ginza district, Tokyo, during snowfall.jpg|Ginza in Snow File:Ginza at night.jpg|Ginza at night File:Ginza in the rain.jpg|Ginza in the rain File:Ginza in afternoon.jpg|Ginza in afternoon File:SuzuranStreetGinza.jpg|An image of Suzuran Street in the Ginza district of Tokyo, Japan. ==Pedestrianization==

Each Saturday and Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., through Ginza is closed to road traffic, allowing people to walk freely. This is called or Hokoten for short, literally meaning "pedestrian heaven". During this time, street performances often take place, including music and magic tricks. As a famous photo spot, some cats sleep on signs, where people can put their own cats onto these signs. The location where cats are varies depending on the date. == Subway stations ==

• Ginza Station (銀座駅) (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line) • Ginza-itchōme Station (銀座一丁目駅) (Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line) • Higashi-Ginza Station (東銀座駅) (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Toei Asakusa Line) Other stations near Ginza: • Yūrakuchō Station (有楽町駅) Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line, JR Yamanote line, JR Keihin–Tōhoku line • Hibiya Station (日比谷駅) Tokyo Metro Hibiya line, Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Toei Mita Line • Shimbashi Station (新橋駅) Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line, JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin–Tōhoku Line Ginza Station, Yūrakuchō Station, and Hibiya Station are connected underground. ==Education==

Public elementary and junior high schools are operated by Chuo City Board of Education. Zoned elementary schools include the following: • Taimei Elementary School: All of 5-8 chome, 1-chome (2-10 ban, and two lots of 11-ban), 2-chome (2-9 ban), 3-chome (2-8 ban), and 4-chome (1-8 ban) • Kyobashi Tsukiji Elementary School (中央区立京橋築地小学校) - 1-chome (12-28 ban and one lot in 11-ban), 2-chome (10-16 ban), 3-chome (9-15 ban), and 4-chome (9-14 ban) All of Ginza is zoned to Ginza Junior High School (中央区立銀座中学校). 中央区立銀座中学校.jpg|Ginza Junior High School (中央区立銀座中学校) == See also ==