One hundred years ago, Ginza was already a blooming commercial area with many shops amassed in a way similar to the department stores of today. Then, wandering around Ginza became a local pastime known as Gin-bura, “wondering around Ginza".

It is believed that the expression was coined by the students of Keio University, who were coming to Ginza for a cup of Brazilian coffee, another new trend at the time. So they probably made Gin-bura from “Ginza de Brazil coffee". Another theory is that the term comes from Ginza and burabura, which means strolling, hanging around.

Anyway, Gin-bura remained until today a popular pastime, and it is best experienced during weekends and public holidays, when Ginza becomes a pedestrian paradise.

Ginza, Tokyo

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Kyoto Shoren-in guesthouse