戸越地蔵尊

Deep in the heart of Tokyo, nestled between bustling shops and the rhythm of daily life, lies Togoshi Ginza. This isn’t the Ginza you see on postcards, with its gleaming skyscrapers and designer boutiques. Togoshi Ginza pulses with a different energy, a vibrant echo of Tokyo’s past. This 1.3-kilometer stretch is home to around 350 shops. Greengrocers, butchers, stationery shops, and laundries paint a nostalgic picture of a bygone era. Look closely, and you’ll find a monument displaying two faded reddish-brown bricks, sealed in glass. These bricks whisper a tale of connection between this unassuming shopping street and its namesake, the glamorous Ginza. In the 1920s, Togoshi was a geographical basin, prone to flooding. Its pebbled streets turned into muddy rivers with every rainfall, making life difficult for residents. Then, a brick company stepped in. This company, Shinagawa Shirorenga, was supplying bricks to rebuild Ginza after the devastating 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. They offered Togoshi a solution: pave your streets with our surplus bricks, including debris from the earthquake. Togoshi accepted, and Togoshi Ginza was born. The name, a fusion of “Togoshi” and “Ginza,” honors this act of resilience and rebirth. The original bricks are long gone, replaced by modern paving. But those two bricks in the monument, donated by Shinagawa Shirorenga’s successor, stand as a tangible link to Togoshi Ginza’s unique origin story. The 1923 earthquake played another crucial role in shaping Togoshi Ginza. While the surrounding areas suffered significant damage, Togoshi remained relatively unscathed. This attracted many displaced residents, boosting the area’s population and contributing to its subsequent flourishing. Today, Togoshi Ginza is a thriving testament to its history. It’s a place where you can experience the authentic heart of Tokyo, far from the tourist crowds. So, next time you’re in Tokyo, venture beyond the well-trodden paths. Discover the charm of Togoshi Ginza, where the echoes of the past resonate in the vibrant present.