Ginza (/ˈɡɪnzə/ GHIN-zə; Japanese: 銀座 [ɡindza]) is a district of Chūō, Tokyo, located south of Yaesu and Kyōbashi, west of Tsukiji, east of Yūrakuchō and Uchisaiwaichō, and north of Shinbashi.

It is a popular upscale shopping area of Tokyo, with numerous internationally renowned department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffeehouses located in its vicinity.

The government planned the construction of fireproof brick buildings and larger, better streets connecting Shimbashi Station all the way to the foreign concession in Tsukiji.

These "bricktown" buildings were initially offered for sale and later were leased, but the high rent prevented many of them from being occupied long term.

Moreover, the construction was not adapted to the climate, and the bold design conflicted with traditional Japanese architectural styles found at the time.

[4] Nevertheless, the area flourished as a symbol of "civilization and enlightenment" thanks to the presence of various newspapers and magazine companies, which helped spread the latest trends of the day.

The area became a popular shopping and meeting destination, with the custom of "killing time in Ginza" developing strongly between the two world wars.

Many leading fashion houses' flagship stores are located here, with the area having the highest concentration of Western shops in Tokyo.

[12][13][14] Each Saturday and Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., the main street through Ginza is closed off to road traffic, allowing people to walk freely.