[Meidi-Ya Kyobashi Building]
Meidi-ya is a long-established supermarket located in Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, within walking distance from our Ginza showroom. Built in 1933 in the Italian Renaissance style, this building is an important landmark in the history of Japanese architecture. It has been designated as the first tangible cultural property of Chuo-ku because of its close connection to the district's history and culture, and its high academic value. It is said to be the oldest existing private building integrated with a subway station, a feature that is commonplace today. During the redevelopment of the Kyobashi area, a plan was adopted to match the height of adjacent buildings, thereby harmonizing the entire streetscape and taking the landscape into consideration. The building's exterior walls and some interior spaces have been preserved as they were when it was first constructed, allowing the building to be reborn as a new landmark in the area without significantly altering its original appearance amidst the rows of high-rise buildings.
Founded in Yokohama in 1885, Meidi-ya initially focused on delivering foodstuffs and daily necessities for use on ships, while also selling beer and importing food and liquor. The company expanded into Ginza during the Meiji era but was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. It then built a sturdy building in Kyobashi, where around the same time, the Ginza subway line was extended to Kyobashi. In 1933, Kyobashi became the head office, and fortunately, the damage from World War II was minimal. By 2023, it has been 90 years since the move to Kyobashi. At the time of construction, the store handled not only foodstuffs but also general merchandise and stationery. Its modern store selling imported goods was a landmark, drawing attention for its show windows and other features. Until around 2000, when redevelopment of the area began, the alleyway was lined with private homes, retaining a downtown atmosphere.
Today, the modern show window remains, welcoming visitors with stylish displays on both sides of the entrance. Inside the store, which offers carefully selected products for their safety, security, and deliciousness, pictures that provide a glimpse into the history of Meidi-ya are hung on the pillars, leaving a striking impression. The building is popular among architecture enthusiasts, especially for its distinctive lampposts on the exterior walls. These lampposts, which light up like paper lanterns in the evening, were handmade by craftsmen in the past and have become so valuable that new ones can no longer be made; they are carefully maintained.
The Meidi-ya Kyobashi Store is located on the route from Tokyo Station to the Ginza Showroom. Why not take a look at this valuable cultural asset that tells a story of history?
Meidi-ya Kyobashi Store (Meidi-ya Kyobashi Building)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tk95kT94g2yaEPGM6
Ginza Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html
References
https://www.city.chuo.lg.jp/a0052/bunkakankou/rekishi/bunkazai/shiteibunkazai/meijiyakyobashi.html
https://Meidi-ya-store.com/product/
https://www.kyobashi.tokyo/special/interview/10573.html
