Ginza, a district in Chuo-ku, is one of the most famous downtown areas in Japan. Ginza means “silver mint,” and its name derives from the silver-coin mint established there in the 1600s.
It encompasses an area from 1-Chome (block) to 8-Chome, where well-established Japanese shops and famous brand name shops from around the world stand side by side on Chuo-dori, the district’s main street, Namiki-dori which runs parallel to Chuo-dori, Suzuran-dori and other streets.
The Kabuki-za Theater, where the Japanese traditional theatrical art known as “Kabuki” is performed, is located to the west of the intersection at 4-Chome, on the way towards the neighboring Tsukiji district. But now The Kabuki-za Theater is closed until 2013 spring to rebuild New Kabuki-za Theater.