Japan (28) - Ginza

21 July 2010 - Ginza is the swankiest and most expensive shopping area in all Japan. When the country opened to foreign trade in the 1860s, following two centuries of self-imposed isolation, it was here that Western imports and adopted Western architecture were first displayed. Today, Ginza is a labyrinth of department stores, boutiques, exclusive restaurants, galleries and hotels. The funkiest shop of all is probably the only Abercrombie & Fitch shop in Asia, with countless floors of (sometimes half naked) multi-ethnic male models selling jeans, polos and t-shirts. Most of the big European high fashion brands are available in Ginza too - and it seems they are all trying to have the coolest and most spectacular building to promote the uniqueness of their brand. Unfortunately some building turn out rather ugly, but this pink building is kinda cool.