Ginza has long been one of Tokyo’s most beloved entertainment districts, so it’s no surprise that a great many popular songs bear the “Ginza” name — particularly works from the postwar period through to the 1960s.
In those days, Tokyo had far fewer bustling districts than it does today, making Ginza a symbol of glamour and aspiration in song.
Three Recommended Ginza Songs
From among the many celebrated songs about Ginza, here are three to evoke the spirit of classic Showa-era Japan.
The first is “Ginza Kankan Musume” (Ginza Can-Can Girl). This song is also used as the departure melody at Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.
The second is “Ginza no Koi no Monogatari” (A Love Story in Ginza), used as the departure melody at Ginza Station on the Hibiya Line.
Today’s top recommendation is the third: “Ginbura Musume” (Ginza Strolling Girl). It was performed by the great Showa-era singer Hibari Misora when she was just 13 years old.
“Ginbura Musume” was composed by the hitmaker Ryoichi Hattori. Drawing on his background in jazz and classical music, he created a hidden gem with an upbeat boogie-woogie rhythm and a melody that gets you moving. The playful lyrics — “Whether you have money or not, run-la, Ginza is boogie-woogie” — are part of what makes this song so irresistibly catchy.
Why not hum one of these Ginza songs as you enjoy a stroll? The blend of timeless charm and the shining Ginza of today will make for a wonderful experience. Retro coffee shops, long-established Japanese confectionery stores, cutting-edge brand boutiques, art galleries — Ginza has it all. Walking through the streets of Ginza, rich in history and culture, with these songs in mind, you may feel as though you’ve slipped back in time.
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