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Ginza, a district and a street with the same name, is a consumer's
paradise where the most luxurious shops, most famous firms,
most exquisite restaurants and most fashionable nightclubs
are located. The name "Ginza" originates from the
silver coin mint that was built here in the 17th century.
In the 17-18 centuries, the district was mostly populated
by jewelers and coiners who worked in numerous workshops situated
in Ginza. There is a joke that before people maid money here
now they spend it. And indeed in Ginza, you'll find the most
expensive shops, luring the passers-by with bright show-windows,
artistically decorated with the use of the latest technologies.
It is really difficult not to yield the temptation to enter
innumerable boutiques. This district is considered to be the
most prestigious shopping area in Tokyo.
Ginza can be treated as a museum of economic progress in Japan.
It was here that the first gas street lamps were established.
In the streets of Ginza, the first railing for horse-drawn
tram was laid.
Twice Ginza was completely ruined. For the first time, it
happened during the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and for
the second time - during World War II under the bombing in
1945. But the street twice rose from the ashes. The reconstruction
proceeded quickly and soon Ginza was humming with life again,
each time more beautiful than before. The street developed
especially fast in the 60s, when the country underwent economic
boom.
The main city street Ginza, 1,200-meter long show-window,
is a favorite walking place for citizens. The street architecture
represents the foremost achievements in design and engineering.
But the real architectural germ of the modern street is the
traditional building of the kabuki theater Kabukiza. At night
the street is illuminated with thousands of neon signs, which
create fantastic images of all possible colors and sizes.
The Ginza shopping district is the source of the famous images
of Tokyo as a lit-up city.
On Saturday and Sunday, as well as on the main festivals,
the central street is closed to traffic and becomes a large
pedestrian zone. On these days thousands of tourists and citizens
flood the street.
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