Ginza Walk: Jan 9, 2010

Ginza has long been one of the most fashionable towns in Japan. Many Tokyo people enjoy "Ginbura", which means getting around Ginza without any special purposes. I walked around the area today (It was Saturday). Some roads are off vehicle in the weekend.

A stationary shop Kyukyodo locates in the center of Ginza. Its land price has been higher than any other places in Japan for decades. They have galleries in the building (see below in the article).

There are many fashion stores (including luxury brand stores) at Ginza. Uniqlo’s Ginza shop is probably most often reported in these days. They sell various clothes at low prices.

Foreigners as well as Japanese visit the store. Tourists from China and other Asian countries visit the store by signtseeng buses and buy lots of clothes. The store was crowded as I had expected.

The store’s operator, First Retailing, is one of the most successful firms at the moment in Japan. Chiairman Tadashi Yanai is widely known and is regarded as a charismatic business leader. Some critics, however, blame the company for triggering deflationary spiral in the country’s economy.

There are many galleries in the district. I visited two exhibitions of Noh masks and Japanese writings (calligraphy) in small galleries in Kyukyodo Building.

A free 3D movie of animals was played at the Sony Building. A small playground, which was covered with snow, was arranged for the children in front of the building.