| Built in 1932, the most famous landmark in Ginza
is the clock tower of the Wako Building (location 10), and the nearby area is
home to famous department stores like Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, and Matsuzakaya. The
basement levels of all the department stores are filled with shops offering delicacies,
and many shoppers find it an enjoyable experience to taste the various samples
as they go around purchasing food.
Underground corridors run beneath many of the major streets in Ginza, and it
is possible to get very close to anywhere you may want to go without having to
come up to the surface -something that is convenient on a rainy day. Also, the
koban (police box) at the Ginza 4-chome (location
11) intersection has an English-speaking volunteer guide present from 10:00 AM
to 6:00 PM Tuesdays through Sundays to give directions.
Next to the Wako Building is a renowned bakery (location 12) that even provided
baked goods to Emperor Meiji himself. Here you can find bread with the anko
(bean jam) filling that is loved by so many Japanese. This bakery does not use
artificial yeast but instead makes bread with the natural yeast used in the production
of sake, which results in a unique taste enjoyed by many.
There are also shops that carry incense and Japanese-style stationery (location
13). These nice-smelling stores are great places to purchase souvenirs, as they
have everything from high-end calligraphy goods to assorted knickknacks like scent
bags. |
