Ginza (2004-04-26)
Ginza (
) in Japanese means "Silver Seat" and is a ritzy district known for
its upscale shopping. There are several department stores and
many designer shops in the area. Most Japanese women who go
there are often dressed nicely with impeccably-applied makeup.
Although I don't walk the streets in jeans and T-shirts, sometimes I
feel somewhat self-conscious
surrounded by smartly-dressed women browsing the department stores
there. Fortunately the staff never give you any disapproving
look, they treat every customer the same no matter how you
dress.Ginza used to be the most expensive piece of real estate in the
world. I don't know if it still is with residential and
commercial real estate prices in Tokyo falling the way they have the
past years. Anyway Ginza remains to have some very pricey stores
and restaurants. KL's friend treated us afternoon tea at a cafe
there once
and his coffee cost 900 yen (US$9)a cup, but our window table did give
us a very nice view. Shiseido, the cosmetic giant, has a
multi-story building in Ginza in which the top floor serves as a
restaurant. Its seafood curry with rice will fill your stomach
but empty your wallet of about a hundred U.S. dollars.
I know Japan's economy is still in recession but you wouldn't know it if you look at all the expensive stores and their customers in Ginza. High-end restaurants are still filled with diners happily tucking into lobsters and foie gras. Expensive European cars still cruise the streets lined with designer stores. May be Kinza (Golden Seat) is a more fitting name for this posh district.
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