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Ginza became the best shopping street in Japan around 1934.

Speaking of Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Nihonbashi and Ginza are listed as a city that attracts attention. Both cities are changing every day, so I can't say simply, but I think everyone has the impression that "Nihonbashi is a city with long-established stores" and "Ginza is a city with stylish stores".

In the early Meiji era, the real estate land price in Ginza was 1/4 of Nihonbashi. Considering that land prices of real estate indicate the value of the city, the commercial value of Ginza at that time was 1/4 of Nihonbashi. In less than 70 years, Ginza's commercial value improved, and it is said that it was removed from Nihonbashi around 1934.

I think that the following changes in the environment have been affected by this:

1.　Opening of railways between Shimbashi and Yokohama

2.　Exchange between foreign settlements (Tsukiji and Yokohama) (The railway between Shimbashi and Yokohama brought the foreign settlements closest to both foreign settlements)

3.　Development of various infrastructure triggered by the great fire of Ginza in 1872 (e.g. brick street)

4.　Kankoba, located on the main street of Ginza: I introduced it on my blog in August 2021.

5.　A famous store founded in Tsukiji, Yokohama opens in Ginza.

 

Comparison of Real Estate Values in Ginza and Nihonbashi

Comparison of real estate value between Ginza and Nihonbashi Ginza became the best shopping street in Japan around 1934.

According to a survey conducted in 2004, there are 345 shopping streets nationwide, probably named Ginza in Ginza. The top line price is Ginza Chuo-dori in front of the stationery store "Kyukyo-do" in Ginza 5, Chuo-ku, with 42.72 million yen per square meter. Although it was the highest in Japan for 36 consecutive years, it fell 7% from the previous year.

As you can see in the figure above, "Comparison of land prices in central Tokyo in 1878 and 1933", the land price in Ginza was about 1/4 of Nihonbashi in 1887 (Meiji 20), but it was equivalent in 1933, and it is imagined that it was removed in 1934.

There is a risk of following what is written in Tetsushi Okamoto's "Walking in Ginza", but I will do my own analysis.

 

"Opening of railways between Shimbashi and Yokohama"

"Opening of railways between Shimbashi and Yokohama" Ginza became the best shopping street in Japan around 1934.

The fact that it became the "new fashionable city" and became the best business in Japan is due to various events that took place in the Ginza area.

In the Meiji era, many incidents have occurred in the Ginza area, but the first is the opening of the railway between Shimbashi and Yokohama. "Yokohama and Tsukiji foreign settlements", which had already been developed and started operation, have been closest to them by a new transportation system called railway.

The fare between Shimbashi and Yokohama is 1.12.5% for the first half and 37.5% for the second half. If 1 yen is converted to ¥20,000, it is equivalent to ¥23,000 and ¥7,500, respectively, so the total reserved seats between Tokyo and Nagoya on the Tokaido Shinkansen + tickets is ¥11,090, which is expensive. It must have been a great trip that took up a decision. Even if merchants invest this much, there is a record that Ginza stores went to wholesalers of Yokohama foreign settlements to purchase them. They sold products that would benefit even if high transportation costs were incurred.

While Nihonbashi sells relatively inexpensive products such as seaweed and bonito flakes (of course, some of them are expensive, such as silk fabrics), Ginza has become popular with small quantities of expensive marine products. The spread of the Kan factory has spread the form of entering the store with a lower foot and window shopping. A different sales format than Nihonbashi's seating was accepted by people seeking newness since the Meiji Restoration.

The closest approach to Yokohama foreign settlement and Tsukiji foreign settlement can also be seen from the establishment of a famous store.

"Tawaya Shirt" (Kannai), "Meijiya" (Yokohama Bandaicho), "Kyobunkan" (Yokohama Yamate), etc., which were founded in Yokohama, have entered Ginza since they were founded in Yokohama and have been successful in business. In addition, Saegsa, Ginza Jujiya, etc. were founded around Tsukiji foreign settlements and advanced to Ginza. The opening of the railway between Shimbashi and Yokohama has made it possible to procure products from foreign settlements in Yokohama.

<Reference>

1)　Tetsushi Okamoto "Walking in Ginza" Kodansha Bunko

2)　Chuo-ku Historical Map Kyobashi Edition Chuo-ku Board of Education, Tokyo