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Ginza
 The
most prestigious shopping area in Japan. Ginza was first turned
into a shopping mecca after the removal of the shogunate mint from
which the name Ginza(seat of silver) derives, and the area was taken
over by brick buildings on willow-lined avenues. The Birthplace
of Ginza Monument stands in front of the Tiffany jewelry shop on
Ginza-dori.
The focal point is the Ginza Yonchome crossing. On one corner is
the clock tower of the Wako store, on another, a Mtsukoshi department
store; and on a third, the circular San'ai fashion tower. Ginza-
dori, the central thoroughfare, has lwo other department stores:
Matsuya and Matsuzakaya. Wako is the place for jewelry and china,
Shiseido for cosmetics, Mikimoto for pearl jewelry, Kyukyodo for
Japanese paper, incense and inkstones. Tenshodo for model trains,
and lto-ya is a magnificent stationery emporium. On a corner of
the Sukiyabashi crossing, the Sony Building has a showroom where
the latest Sony Offerings are on display. On subsidiary streets
are such famous names as Gucci and Vuitton, while an expedition
into the network of narrower roads behind the big avenues will reveal
art galleries of all persuasions.
 Ginza
offers an especially good choice of dining experiences. There are
some 4.O00 eateries in the area, covering a vast selection of food
and prices.
East along Harumi-dori from Ginza is Kabukiza Theatre and
Tsukiji Honganji Temple with an Indian(????) architectural motif.
The Main Worship Hall is open 6:00-16:00 daily. English pamphlet
available.
Tsukiji Fish Market, the largest fish market in Japan, and
Hamarikyu Garden, one of the most enjoyable gardens in Tokyo,
are also in this vicinity. Hamarikyu was orginally the garden of
a feudal lord's mansion in the Edo period. As the ponds fill from
the bay, the water level rises and falls with the tides. There is
a pick-up point for the Sumida River waterbus inside the garden,
making it an excellent place to relax before or after a trip to
Asakusa. 12 min walk from JR/subway Shimbashi Stn. Open 9:O0-17:00.
Last entry 16:30. Closed late Dec-early Jan.
Kabukiza
 No
trip to Japan is complete without a visit to Kabukiza. This imposing edifice
with's clay tiled roof and dignified grandeur is a delightful venue in
which to encounter the most flamboyant of Japan's traditional performing
arts, dating from the 17th century.
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