Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

 

In "Monoshiri Encyclopedia", Chapter 2 describes "Ginza, which has been revived from the Great Kanto Earthquake," and describes "Ginza, which has regained its liveliness through the earthquake reconstruction project." (page 122)

 

　Here, it is stated that "Ginza, where access has improved significantly, has opened a famous department store and has begun accepting a wide range of customers," but the department store began to enter Ginza after the Great East Japan Earthquake (1923/1923).

 

　For example, Matsuzakaya in Ueno opened a branch in Ginza in 1924, the oldest department store in Ginza, and it was a department store that tried to enter the store for the first time.

 

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

 

　Furthermore, in June 1928, "Mitsukoshi, Ltd. kimono shop" changed its trade name to "Mitsukoshi, Ltd." and opened the Ginza store in April 1930. In this way, there were three department stores, Matsuya, Matsuzakaya, and Mitsukoshi.

 

Ginza Matsuzakaya (Taisho (unknown)) Chuo-ku Tourism Association website "Transfer Townscapes and Buildings"

 

    Ginza Matsuya (1929) Chuo-ku Tourism Association website "Transfer Townscapes 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), which can be said to be a symbol of Ginza, was completed. "The rebuilding was planned during the Taisho era, but construction was greatly 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. "(Page encyclopedia; page 38).