Official

♪　Is the sidewalk pavement on Ginza Street paving stones of Toden?

In 1873 (1873), an European-style road was completed in Ginza Brick Street. The center of the road was a carriageway, and the left and right were distinguished as sidewalks for people to walk. A curb was laid between the two, and the sidewalk was paved with red bricks. This is the first "sidewalk" in Japan.

By the way, the current sidewalk was completed in a major renovation work in 1968 (1968). In fact, a little bit of ingenuity has been made on this pavement.
From 1903 (1903) to 1967 (1967), Toden was running on Ginza Street. When the Toden was abolished, the granite, which was the paving stone, was reused on the sidewalk. If you think so, your dream will spread when you walk!

♪I love you a long time ago and willows in Ginza

In 1877 (1877), willows appear for the first time on Ginza Street. In 1987 (1987), the willow, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the constituency system, was loved as a symbol of Ginza for a long time, was selected as a tree in the ward.

The time has changed, and trees coloring Ginza Street have recently been baton touching from yew to wig, but in fact, descendants of willows in Ginza still live in various parts of the Ginza area. Suddenly, I sometimes encounter a standing figure with signs such as "Ginza's willow II" or "Ginza III" or "VIII."

★　Tips: It's on the sidewalk, in front of the park, school gates! Look for it!

♪　The change of street lights in Ginza

In 1872 (1872), gas lamps took off for the first time on Ginza Street. Under the guard of Ginza 1-chome, there is a "Monument of Ginza Brick Street". The gas lamps standing here are the real thing of 1874! It seems that the red bricks laid at the feet were also excavated in 1987.

In 1882 (1882), an arc light (fox light) was installed at Ginza 2-chome. It was brought in by an engineer from the U.S. brush company. This was the beginning of Tokyo's electric lamps, and since then it has spread.
In fact, there is still a single arc lamp in this place. On the wall of the building, a Nishiki-e "Tokyo Ginza-dori Electric Light Construction Map" is sculptured. It's just around the intersection of Ginza Street and Marronnier Street.

It was renewed in 2015 (2015) that the current street light was renewed. There is a work name and concept in this lighting!
The work name "FOUR S FOR S". The concept is 4 S. TOKYO is the world's first city to practice for the creation of a society and environment that is "latest technology", "recycling", "energy saving", "symbolism" and "sustainable" society and environment. That's what I mean.

♪　What's in the basement of Ginza Street?

The sidewalk of Ginza Street is very large. It seems that this has not changed since then. In addition, there are many ideas on Ginza Street that make you feel worried about pedestrians.

Indeed, if you look closely, there is no slope for cars entering and exiting. In addition, the entrance of the subway is quiet, and the mark is low, blending into the surrounding landscape. In addition, you can't find manholes, telegraph poles, or electric wires. What does this mean? ？

By the way, the reason is that there is a space under Ginza Street where electric wires and water pipes are buried together, called a supply pipe joint ditch. Ginza Street is the first in Japan that a supply pipe joint groove was built.

Thanks to the joint gutter of the supply pipe, there is no need to dig the ground during construction of telephones, gas, water, etc., which leads to alleviation of traffic congestion and plays a role in protecting infrastructure even in the event of a disaster.
As you can see, Ginza Street is a "walking fun way" that will lead to the future.

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association

No. 52 June 4, 2019