Welcome to the most expensive and exclusive shopping center of Japan - Ginza. It is also famous for possessing the most expensive real estate on earth. In a nutshell Ginza is a symbol of luxury. The streets are lined with neon signs, department stores, boutiques, bars and restaurants. The name Ginza has been derived from 'silver mint', which the Shogun built in the area in 1612. This is the place from where western architecture and imports were first portrayed.
There are many things besides shopping. The landmarks in Ginza are:
- Ginza Wako which was erected in 1932 at the northwest corner of the district's centrally situated juncture of Chuo and Harumi Dori. The clock tower on this building has now become the symbol of Ginza. Inside the building jewelry and other luxury items are sold.
- Sony Building is the famous building here. You can get to see the latest products of Sony, like for example DVD recorders, televisions, cameras, audio sets, mobile phones, computers and play station products are exhibited in the show rooms of this building for the general publics. You can rest after window-shopping and have a cup of coffee in any of the restaurants and cafes here.
- Kabukiza Theatre is the famous theater where Kabuki plays are performed all round the year. These show generally last for four to five hours and are divided into different acts. Tickets are sold either for the whole play or for a single act. You can find the stores of some of the most renowned fashion designers in 5th avenue in Ginza. Apart from this you can also check out some of the clubs and hostess bars lining the streets of the districts. The clubs are a bit expensive and some of them even sell wine for 100,000 Yen per bottle. The departmental stores are famous. Some of the famous departmental stores in Ginza are:
- Mitsukoshi
- Matsuya
- Matsuzakaya
- Printemps
- Hankyu
- Seibu
- Wako, etc. Another popular tourist's stop over here is Yurakucho. This is a popular neighborhood beside Ginza, which is famous for the Tokyo International Forum Building. This is a huge building which is built in the shape of a ship and which serves as a venue for a large number of exhibitions, concerts, fashion shows and other cultural programs. Besides this, it is a major shopping area and one can find a large number of shops selling electronic goods over here. So don't forget to visit this wonderful district of Tokyo and embark on a vacation full of fun and enjoyment.
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