Okuno Building. 🏢
This building is a time capsule. Once the most luxurious apartment complex in Ginza, it survived WWII and remains untouched. Today, its tiny, weathered rooms house over 20 micro-galleries and antique shops.
The Elevator
It has one of Tokyo's last manually operated scissor-gate elevators. It is creaky, slow, and incredibly atmospheric.
Room 306
Preserved exactly as it was when the last tenant (a hairdresser) left. It is a hauntingly beautiful art project.
Shiseido Gallery. 💄
Located in the basement of the Shiseido Parlour building, this is the oldest surviving art gallery in Japan. It hosts free exhibitions of contemporary art that are often surprisingly avant-garde.
The Space
A high-ceilinged, pristine white cube underground. The silence here is a stark contrast to the busy street above.
The Cafe
After viewing the art, head upstairs to the Shiseido Parlour for their famous cheesecake or retro omurice.
Cost
Admission is almost always free. It is the perfect quiet interlude during a shopping day.
Purveyors to Imperial Family
Since 1663
Kyukyodo. 📜
While Itoya is for modern stationery, Kyukyodo is for the traditional. As soon as you step inside, you are hit with the scent of high-grade sandalwood incense. They sell Washi paper, calligraphy brushes, and seasonal postcards.
The Real Estate:
This shop stands on the most expensive plot of land in Japan. The land value here is consistently the highest in the country, yet they sell paper for a few hundred yen.
Toyoiwa Inari. 🦊
Ginza has a secret. Tucked in a dark, narrow gap between two massive buildings is an ancient shrine. It is said to protect against fire and bring success in marriage.
How to Find It
Look for a small stone pillar on Ginza 7-chome street. The alleyway is barely wide enough for one person. It feels like stepping into a different dimension.
The Atmosphere
Surrounded by the back walls of clubs and restaurants, the stone foxes stand in the shadows. It is the ultimate "Urban Contrast."