Wako Department Store
Address:
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Category: Shopping
Wako Department Store is considered by some to be the most exclusive department store in Japan, located at the heart of the Ginza shopping district in Tokyo. This store is famous for its watches, jewellery, porcelain, dishware, and handbags, as well as foreign luxury goods.
The Wako company was established in 1881 by Kintarou Hattori under the name Hattori Watch and Jeweller which was later renamed Seiko Corporation after the retail division was seperated in 1947.
The building was completed in 1932 and was designed by Jin Watanabe to feature the distinctive curved granite façade. It was one of few buildings in central Tokyo left standing after World War Two, so provided a suitable location for the Tokyo PX store from 1945 to 1952 for the USA occupation forces.
