Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

 

In the Monoshiri Encyclopedia, Chapter 2, the section entitled "Townscape Revivaled from the Great Kanto Earthquake" refers to "Ginza, which has regained its liveliness through the earthquake reconstruction project." (page 122)

 

　It is stated here that "a famous department store has entered Ginza, where access has been significantly improved, and it has begun to accept a wide range of customers," but it was after the Great East Japan Earthquake (1923 and 1923).

 

　For example, Matsuzakaya in Ueno opened a branch in Ginza in 1924, the oldest department store in Ginza, and it was the first department store to try to enter Doshi.

 

　It was in May 1925, about a year and a half after the earthquake, that the Matsuya Kimono Store in Kanda Imagawa Bridge and the current Matsuya Department Store opened the Ginza Sales Office in Ginza 3-chome. The company name was changed to "Matsuya Kimono Store Co., Ltd." in 1924, and it was in 1948 that the company name was changed to "Matsuya Co., Ltd."

 

　Furthermore, in June 1928, Mitsukoshi, Ltd.'s clothing store changed its trade name to Mitsukoshi, Ltd., and opened the Ginza store in April 1930. Thus, there were three department stores, Matsuya, Matsuzakaya, and Mitsukoshi.

 

Ginza Matsuzakaya (Taisho (Unknown)) Chuo-ku Tourism Association Site "The Moving Town and Buildings"

 

    Ginza Matsuya (1929) Chuo-ku Tourism Association Site "Moving Towns and Buildings"

 

 　Ginza Mitsukoshi and Hattori Clock Store (October 1933) (copy from wikipedia, public domain confirmed)

 

 

 　In 1932, the Hattori Clock Store Building (now Ginza Wako Main Store) was completed, which is a symbol of Ginza. "Rebuilding was planned during the Taisho era, but construction was significantly delayed due to the effects of the Great Kanto Earthquake. As a result, a steel-framed reinforced concrete building with enhanced earthquake resistance was born” (Monoshiri Encyclopedia; page 38).