Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

The center of commerceChuo-kuThere are many lively shopping streets in Japan.

Correspondents visit, see, and hear the shopping streets that are loved by the locals, prospered with the residents, and familiar to them. It conveys the lively charm and vitality, special information, etc.Chuo-kuThis is the second installment of the correspondent's visit to the shopping district, which introduces the shopping association and shopping district.

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◎Correspondent Visit to Shopping Street (2nd)◎

Nishi-Ginza Dorikai, West Entrance to Ginza

 

Nishi-Ginza-dori is a road that always passes when entering Ginza from the Imperial Palace or JR side.

This area, which is also known as "Your name", is also synonymous with "Silver Bra", from the Nishiginza Department, plantans, movie theaters, and atmosphere cafes.

This time, we visited "Nishi Ginza Tsukai", which is active in Nishi Ginza, the west gateway of Ginza, and talked to Satoshi Amamiya, advisor to Nishiginza Department, and Kenji Hayashi, Secretary-General.

 (Of the two people on the right, Mr. Amemiya in the back and Mr. Hayashi in the foreground)

 

　How was the Nishi-Ginza Dorikai formed?

　It was established on June 29, 1983.
　Improvement of the landscape of Ginza 1-8 chome (between Jobebashi and Dobashi) of the so-called "Sotobori-dori St." (official name, Metropolitan Route 405), which was not necessarily well maintained at that time, and "Nishi Ginza Street" The aim is to establish the name, but at the same time, it was also a symbol of Ginza that was sung in the early Showa era, "I miss Ginza's that was also "Yanagi" and song "Yanagi" and song.

 

　Please tell us about the origin of <Nishi Ginza Street>, the activity base. 

　The Ginza part (Ginza 1-chome to 8-chome) of the so-called "Sotobori-dori St." was designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Construction Bureau in 1998 as "Tokyo Face Creation (Maintenance of Symbol Road)". Started and completed in 2006. Nowadays, the street is also marked "Nishi Ginza Street".
　By the way, it is the third symbol road maintenance in Chuo-ku after Harumi-dori St. (model business) and Chuo-dori.
　In line with the completion of the maintenance, the first "Ginza Yanagi Festival" was held on May 5, 2006, and has been held every year since then, and this is the fifth time this year.

 

　What kind of members do you have?

　Mainly the Nishiginza Department Co., Ltd., owners of roadside stores and complex buildings along the line, and currently comprise approximately 90 members.

 

　What kind of shops do you have?

　1-4 chome along Nishi-Ginza Dori is not limited to shopping centers such as the Nishiginza Department and plantan, as well as restaurants such as Ginza Ins, as well as cultural facilities such as Marunouchi Toei Movie Theater.
　In addition, 5-8 chome has a high concentration as a entertainment district such as a luxury club at 6-chome and bars, and there are many galleries along with Namiki-dori St., including the Nichido Gallery next to Sony Building. It is an area with a high cultural level.

 

　What kind of activities are you doing?

　It is natural that the starting point of the efforts to beautify the landscape and maintain the environment throughout the region is the accumulation of sustainable daily activities by members, but the Nishi Ginza Dorikai has established the `` Beautification Committee '' and regularly We have been working to maintain the landscape and environment, such as cleaning activities and maintenance of signboards, bicycles, motorcycles, etc. left on public roads, and the participation status of members is good.
　In addition, the Ginza Yanagi Festival is held once a year.

 

　Please tell me the contents of "Ginza willow Festival".

　This festival is held on May 5 every year, with approximately 1km of "Nishi Ginza Street" from Ginza 1-chome to 8-chome closed. This year's theme is "Smile".
　"Ginza Golden Parade" by Brass Band, "Ginza Golden Parade" by baton twiler, "Haven Artist in Ginza" by street performers, "Concert Forest" by 3 Bravan, 4 children's performance "Children's Dream Stage", 5 Begoma and sword balls, "Retro Play Plaza", 6 "Tokyo Smart Drivers PR Campaign", "Atsu Campaign", "Atsu Campaign", "Atsu" by 1", "Atsu", "Atsu", "Ped in Ginza, etc.
　It is a big event that can be enjoyed by the whole family, from children to adults. ③The children's dream stage will appear for the first time this year. Click here for details.　→ Official Homepage

　  

(The parade of the willow festival in 2009)

 

　What is the direction that "Nishi Ginza Tsukai" is aiming for in the future?

　Along the Nishi-Ginza Dori, there is a possibility that the landscape will change drastically, such as the sale and redevelopment of the Ginza Toshiba Building (formerly Mazda Building), but as the west entrance of Dai-Ginza, the Yurakucho area In order to respond to the redevelopment and enhance the excursion, we would like to aim to create a unique city that takes advantage of individuality with the willow Festival as a pillar.

 

 

　The following:

　On December 15, 1957, the first post-war subway, Marunouchi Line, extended to Nishi-Ginza. In October of this year, the Sogo department store opened in Yurakucho, and the singing voice of Frank Nagai was flowing in the city, saying, "Let's meet in Yurakucho."
　The following year, 1958, "ABC XYZ"..."Nishi Ginza Ekimae", which starts with ", is also Frank Nagai.
　Born in the first half of Showa Ichikata and married this year, even if you hear Nishi Ginza, "Shinkyun" is a natural generation.
　I didn't even remember when such "Nishi Ginza Station" disappeared.
　This time, I was able to meet the people who are trying to revive and establish the "Nishi Ginza" without thinking, and I was able to hear a fun story.
　I would like to thank you again for this kind of "Oishii" work.

Thank you to Mr. Amamiya and Mr. Hayashi of Nishi Ginza Street Association.

 

 

 

A new series of correspondent blogsChuo-ku"Correspondents' visit to the shopping streets" that introduces the shopping associations and shopping streets of the city. The center of commerceChuo-kuThere are many lively shopping streets in Japan. Correspondents visit, see, and hear the shopping streets that are loved by the locals, prospered with the residents, and familiar to them. We will tell you about the lively charm and vitality, and special information.

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◎Correspondent Visit to Shopping Street (1st)　◎

 

Special items are available with professional connoisseurs / Tsukiji Outer Market Shopping Street Promotion Association

 

The morning of Tsukiji is early. The market worker "Tale" is busy with luggage and comes and goes. "Tsukiji Fish Bank" is a popular spot that attracts attention from all over the world and attracts many foreigners.Chuo-kuWe visited Mr. Akio Suzuki (pictured), President of Tsukiji Outer Market Shopping District Promotion Association, about the attractiveness of this shopping street representing that.

 

Mr. Suzuki is a long-established president of Torito Co., Ltd., which has been operating here since 1930 (1930). He was full of spirit, crisp, hot, and talked about "Tsukiji Outer Market".

 

The history of this shopping street is old, isn't it?

 

"Since the fish shore relocated from Nihonbashi in the early Showa era, the inside and outside of the Tsukiji Market (Central Wholesale Market) coexisted and prospered. After the war, the Kyowa-kai, which was organized by people doing business in this area, was the predecessor of the current union. In 1993 (1993), it was incorporated from a voluntary organization until now. As a result, the unity of union members has been strengthened and external activities have become more active, leading to today's prosperity."

 

There are many shops in the out-of-market market, but what is the current size of the shopping street?

 

"There are about 300 stores here. Some old shops and new stores have been opened. In some places, businesses that do business in the hall also have shops outside the hall. Recently, the number of restaurants has been increasing. There are so many shops lined up, so you can walk around the market, such as "Tsukiji Outer Market Map" and "Eating and Drink Map". You can enjoy shopping and eating and drinking with that at hand."

 

Speaking of fish banks, of course, seafood is the main thing, but there are other shops. What are the characteristics of this shopping street?

 

"The customers who come here are business, general consumers and tourists. It sells foodstuffs and related supplies to those who run business such as restaurants, restaurants, and fish shops in the town, and you can find everything here. The general public comes to buy daily ingredients here. And everyone who visits for sightseeing. There are many groups with buses. It is unique to Tsukiji that it has such a variety of faces, and it is attractive."

 

The number of tourists is increasing these days. In particular, I see foreign people.

 

"Yes. The main purpose of sightseeing is "seeing and eating", but I would like you to do "shopping" from now on. To that end, I would like you to plan a "shopping tour" by all means. It's not just a Tsukiji stop by for sightseeing spots, but a slow shopping is also fun. The price is cheap, fresh, and there are plenty of assortments here. There are such tours at the end of the year, but I want them to be full throughout the year. "Because it is the world's best market, we want to make it a city that is popular with customers around the world."

 

By the way, the relocation of Tsukiji Market has become a hot topic, but what will happen here?

 

"In the first place, it's better to function as one thing inside and outside the hall. However, there is also a problem of aging market facilities. There are different roles between the trading market, intermediate vendors such as wholesalers, and retailers, so I think it is possible to adjust each function. In any case, we have not reached a conclusion, so we will continue to operate as it is."

 

We are also actively holding events to excite the market.

 

"We are planning seasonal events so that you can enjoy it all year round. In May, "Tsukiji Spring Festival / Half Market", in July, "Tsukiji Summer Festival / Atatsu Summer Sale", and in October, "Tsukiji Autumn Festival". Our association has a wide range of age groups, from young people to the elderly, so there are many fun and interesting events that share ideas. No matter how many times you come, we are aiming for the Tsukiji Outer Market, where you will not get tired of it and want to come again."

 

What kind of event is the "Tsukiji Spring Festival" in May, which will be held this time?

 

"On May 4 (Tuesday / holiday), we will hold" 2010 Tsukiji Spring Festival / Half Price Market ". Five organizations participating in the NPO Tsukiji Food Town Development Council, including this association, will be held jointly. On the day, from 10:00 in the morning, each store will sell their specialty items at "half price". It's a bargain because it's half of the usual selling price. It's a great success every year. Please go out as soon as possible because there is a limited number of items to sell. There are also events where children can fold their helmets in newspaper. For more information, please visit our website. http://www.tsukiji.or.jp/ 」

 

Finally, can you tell me the secrets of becoming a good shopping at Tsukiji Outer Market?

 

"Each store has professional professionals in specialized fields, so first ask the shop." You will surely be able to get what you like. It's also important to know that you don't deserve. Shops value "Noren", a sign of trust, and value honestly, so you can shop with peace of mind. It's a proof of that. If you go to the shop several times, you will be able to get acquainted with each other, so it can be said that "Tsukiji-dori" quickly becomes "familiar".

 

Thank you very much for your busy place today and your enthusiasm for the future development of the shopping district. (Interview: April 19, 2010)