Ginza

Originally the site of a silver coin mint ("ginza" in Japanese), the Ginza today is an upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district in central Tokyo, with many elegant department stores, restaurants and cafes. After being largely distroyed by a fire in 1872, it was redesigned by Thomas Waters, a British architect, according to a western pattern. Since then it has been Tokyo's modern, western-oriented centre. The Ginza contains some interesting architecture and outlets for virtually every leading brand name in fashion and cosmetics.