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All Japan Tokyo Origin of Ginza Monument

Origin of Ginza Monument

This monument celebrates this shopping district's past history as a feudal silver mint.

Tokyo, Japan

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
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Origin of Ginza Monument   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Origin of Ginza Monument   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Ginza is an upscale shopping district and one of the most popular areas in Tokyo, filled with department stores, boutiques, and restaurants. Interestingly enough, making money has been this area's forte since its creation.

Ginza derives from the Japanese word gin meaning “silver” and za, which literally means “seat.” In historical context, however, za was the name for trade guilds during the feudal period. Ginza became the common name given to districts that minted silver coins.

During the Edo period, numerous ginzas were established across Japan, but today’s Ginza was the most notable of them all. The district's original name was Shin-ryōga'e-machi ("New Moneychanging-town"), but the nickname Ginza stuck and became official after the mint closed in 1869.

Today, the only indication of Ginza's origin is a small stone monument standing in front of a Tiffany, where the mint office was located. Despite the mint being long gone, the district is still the place where money flows through Tokyo.

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Money Silver History & Culture

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Also known as the Ginza Hasshō-no-chi no Kinen-hi or Monument of Ginza Birth Place. It is about a three minute walk from Ginza Station. 

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Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Published

February 13, 2020

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Origin of Ginza Monument
Chuo City
Tokyo, 104-0061
Japan
35.673188, 139.767329

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Photo of Tokyo

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