【4K】Japan Walk – Tokyo’s Longest Shopping Road ,Togoshi Ginza,戸越銀座February 2021,#Japan #Tokyo #戸越銀座

【4K】Japan Walk – Tokyo’s Longest Shopping Road ,Togoshi Ginza,戸越銀座February 2021,#Japan #Tokyo #戸越銀座

【4K】Japan Walk – Tokyo’s Longest Shopping Road ,Togoshi Ginza,戸越銀座February 2021,#Japan #Tokyo #戸越銀座
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Street Food Adventure at Togoshi Ginza, Tokyo’s Longest Shopping Road
It might not be the most famous spot in Tokyo but it’s surely worth a visit for its uniqueness. Togoshi Ginza is a homely shotengai (shopping street) located in Shinagawa Ward. With its 1.3 km length it’s the longest shopping street of the capital and one of the longest in the Kanto area. Be charmed by the energetic shopkeepers and the laid-back atmosphere, and enjoy some of the best street food that Tokyo has to offer!

Ginza’s Rightful Namesake
Hundreds of shopping streets around Japan incorporated the name “Ginza” hoping to bask in the reflected glory of the fancy Tokyo district. But Togoshi Ginza might have been the first to do so and it actually has a reason for it.

After the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, the district of Ginza was having problems with the disposal of bricks from devastated zones. These bricks ended up being given to the area of Togoshi who used them to pave the poorly draining streets that often caused floods. After this, the area took the name of Togoshi Ginza.

The story of Togoshi Ginza’s name is explained in this plaque. You can see the actual bricks that came from Ginza.
Togoshi Ginza Station on the Tokyu Ikegami line was opened in 1927. In 2015 it underwent some remodeling works and now it sports beautiful wooden structures made to resemble old station buildings.
Dive Into the Everyday Life of Tokyoites
The first thing I noticed about Togoshi Ginza was the lack of utility poles, which are omnipresent in Japan. Here, all the cables were installed underground for a safer and more spacious place. Thanks to this the street looks very pretty and there is more room to walk.

The street is closed to cars from Monday to Saturday between 3:00pm and 6:00pm, and from 2:00pm to 7:00pm on Sundays and holidays.
You will meet a lot of different people here. Office workers scurrying around in their suits. Tiny old ladies getting an early morning massage or chatting with the shop owners. A lot of people walking their dogs, often in a stroller. A multitude of young mothers are constantly zigzagging through the crowd in their mamachari (literally ‘mom bicycles’, they are equipped with luggage racks and several child seats).

There are several markets where people can buy fresh groceries and other daily necessities. Mom-and-pop shops are ruling the street apart from a few chain stores. There is a pleasant mix of old, nostalgic shops and new and stylish joints.

Togoshi Ginza has a mascot character called Togoshi Ginjiro or Gin-chan for short. You will see many versions of him all over the street. If you’re lucky enough, you might even meet him in person.
Several shops showcase a statue of Gin-chan at the entrance. Each of them is themed after what the shop sells and they are really cute.
There are also three life-size statues called “Gin-chan’s of good fortune” scattered along the street. Make sure you rub the ball when you pass by. Lucky Gin-chan will help you with your fate, healthy Gin-chan will take care of your body and lovely Gin-chan will add some romance to your life. See if you can find them all and make your day lucky!
Tucked away in one of the side streets, Togoshi Hachiman Shrine rises among the shade and peace of high trees. When you enter the gates you will be welcomed by a soft music and the tinkling of wind chimes.
It was the first time I saw sofas in a shrine. These are for visitors to rest and enjoy the peace after praying. From here you can see the Kagura Hall, where music and dance are performed for the gods.