Ginza Alley "Shisei-Kaido": History and Present, as told by Watanabe Mokuhan Bijutsu Gallery

Ginza's hidden gem, "Succession Street

In the heart of Tokyo, there is an alley called "Shisei Kaido" that quietly exists in Ginza 8-chome.

On the corner of the Namiki-dori side of this pathway connecting Miban-dori and Namiki-dori is a store specializing in printsWatanabe Woodblock Art GalleryThere are

Founded in 1909, this gallery is widely known for handling Ukiyoe prints (such as Utamaro Kitagawa and Hiroshige Utagawa) and new Taisho prints (such as Tomoe Kawase and Shinsui Ito).

This time,Interview with this historic "Watanabe Mokuhanga Art Galleryand perform the following,The History and Present of the "Road to SuccessWe asked for more information about the

 

Origins of Success Streets: Power Spots in Tokyo

The name "Shiseido" comes from the late Kakuei Tanaka, a one-time Japanese politician.

There is an anecdote that when Mr. Tanaka was a young member of the Diet, he enjoyed eating and drinking in the Ginza area, and when he was called to the Diet in a hurry, he rushed through this alley.

This episode led to the name "Seika Kaido" (meaning "road of success"), as Tanaka was promoted from a member of the Diet to Prime Minister, and the gradual widening and continuation of the road from this alley to the Diet building symbolizes "success in life.

The story,Mr. Kaku ran when he was called again!"andThe story has been passed down in Ginza from generation to generation, spreading throughout the entire Ginza district and continuing to the present day.The story is told.

*There is such an anecdote in Kagurazaka.

Alley ownership and management

This "road to success" isIt is actually private property, courtesy of the owners of the adjacent buildings.By,Public access is permitted.

Ginza has long been home to many such alleys, and Suisei-kaido is one such alley that has been carefully preserved by the local community.

Even now,Owners voluntarily clean and maintain thecreek,Preservation of this historic alleyThe company is doing so.

Birth of the Shiseido Gallery

Surprisingly, the name "Shise Kaido" became nationally known when the Shise Kaido Gallery was created in 2011.

The gallery was established by converting the first floor of the adjacent facility, which had been used as a warehouse, into a gallery, and the gallery was named after the alley between the art shop and the gallery, which is commonly known as "Succession Road. The gallery is named after the street, which is commonly known as "Shosei-Kaido.

The facility is a long, narrow space with a ceiling height of 2 meters, a depth of 5 meters, and a width of 1 meter 40 centimeters, covering an area of approximately 4 tsubo.

With a simple white-walled interior, it operates as a rental gallery for a wide range of works, including prints, photographs, paintings, and ceramics, as well as exhibitions focusing on artists handled by Gaho.

On the shutter next to the entrance, woodblock artist Hisao Someya painted people holding musical instruments.

In addition, it was just after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and at that time there were many vacant houses in the alley and the area was not as busy as it is today.

However, with the opening of the gallery, the name became well known throughout the country through television and media coverage.

As a result, stores moved into the vacant tenants one after another, and the area became the bustling place it is today.

Famous restaurants lining the Success Streets

Kai [Sakigake] / Ginza, Tokyo

Kai is a restaurant in Ginza that serves food that is gentle on the body and soul. The owner's gentle care and affection can be felt at this restaurant, and the oden, which is soaked in dashi broth, is especially exquisite. Open until late at night, the menu is gentle on the body after a long night of drinking. It is a perfect match for champagne, and you can spend a luxurious time drinking champagne while enjoying oden. The restaurant also offers special low-sodium udon noodles shipped directly from Kagawa Prefecture, which are popular among health-conscious adults.

An example of menu

• odenA wide variety of ingredients are available, including: daikon radish, bamboo shoots, chikuwa, konnyaku, hamaguri, fu, and pig's feet.
• special udon noodlesUdon noodles with a generous amount of horumon (small intestine of beef) and kujo leek.
• champagne: KRUG and other fine Champagnes.

Cashe Cashe / Ginza, Tokyo

Kashkash is a bistro tucked away in an alley in Ginza. Owner-chef Tatsuya Saiki opened the restaurant in 1998 after 14 years of training at Apicius. The name of the restaurant means "hide and seek" in French, and it is located in a narrow alley in a hidden location. The small restaurant with four counter seats and four tables is popular with repeat customers. Chef Saiki uses carefully selected ingredients from Japan and other Asian countries, and offers dishes that focus on safety and freshness, such as pesticide-free vegetables.

An example of menu

• Salad with 10 kinds of vegetables and 6 kinds of seafood: Healthy with condensed lemon and olive oil.
• Cauliflower Mousse with Consommé Joule and Undans: It is a perfect match with Champagne.
• Agu pork filet cutlet sandwich: It is also popular as a take-out menu.

Regal / Ginza, Tokyo

Regal is a Western-style restaurant located at the far end of the street, off Namiki Dori and onto Izusa Kaido. The restaurant, with its distinctive iron decor and old-fashioned atmosphere, is a wine lover's paradise with its wall-to-wall wine cellar; the first floor has only nine counter seats, while the second floor has a VIP room where reservations are required and karaoke can be enjoyed. Chef Kenji Nishizawa draws on his experience at Niki Resort in Nasu Kogen to create a simple yet thoughtful menu.

An example of menu

• Raw oysters and champagne: Half-cut oysters can be enjoyed with olive oil, pepper and lemon.
• Rare Kuroge Wagyu Beef Fillet Steak and FigsA5 rank Wagyu beef is used in this luxurious dish.
• Carpaccio of chicken gruntIt is served with fresh onion and cucumber for a refreshing taste.

 

 

Visit Success Streets

Ginza's "Shisei Kaido" is a fascinating mix of history and modernity.

By visiting these famous restaurants, you will be able to experience the deep history and culture of Ginza.

Please come visit and enjoy your time in this special place.

Article Supervisor

Yuya Hachimine

Representative Director of ZENNO GROUP, Inc. known as a leader in the night work industry in Ginza. He worked for 14 years as a black-shirted worker in a high-class club in Ginza, and based on his experience, he provides various services for the industry. In order to improve the inefficient work system, he founded ZENNO GROUP Inc. and has contributed to the development of the industry.

Yuya Hachimine's SNS and related links

• Instagram: @88.hacci.88
• the Focus: Interview with Yuya Hachimine
• Laule'a Publishing The Moon Reading of the Wise Men: A former Ginza black dresser talks about the secrets of the customer service industry.
• local color: More about ZENNO GROUP
• GLOCAL.: ZENNO GROUP Initiatives
• Qualitas Column:Bringing innovation to the glittering "nightlife of Ginza.

Writing: supported by Research Online