In One Picture: Why Ginza is the World’s Retail Showcase
Nov 09, 2011
3 Comments
Last night after another evening with Panasonic’s employees and a band of journalists from around the world who gathered this week in Japan, I hopped onto Tokyo’s Yurikamome (monorail) and spent an hour or so in Ginza. I had not been to this legendary shopping and entertainment district since the days before digital cameras, and I figured that I could use a supply of stock photos for the world’s leading brands.
The quick rail trip was worth it. Japanese businesses have reduced the level of illumination they use to illuminate their businesses at night, but Ginza still beams. No matter what you think of the world’s luxury brands, you have to admire the level of detail and yet minimalism that goes into many of Ginza’s storefronts. Something about the Hermes glass block façade, however, grabbed my attention. Maybe it was the renewed appreciation of a building material that once fell out of fashion but has gained popularity once again. Perhaps it is the way that architects and designers can play with both natural and artificial light. But whether you catch a glimpse of women in geisha outfits or workers struggling in display windows to arrange the perfect Christmas display, a walk through Ginza is always worth your time during even the quickest travel to Tokyo.
Hermes storefront, Ginza
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