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Wako Co., Ltd. (株式会社和光, Kabushiki-gaisha Wakō) is a
department storeretailer in
Japan, whose best known store (commonly known as the Ginza Wako) is at the heart of the
Ginza shopping district in
Tokyo. This store is famous for its
watches,
jewellery,
chocolate,
porcelain,
dishware, and
handbags, as well as upscale foreign goods. There is an art gallery, called Wako Hall, on the sixth floor.
History
Wako was founded in 1881 by Kintarō Hattori as a watch and jewelry shop called
K. Hattori (now
Seiko Group Corporation) in Ginza. In 1947, the retail division split off as Wako Co., Ltd.
From 1894 to 1921, the Hattori Clock Tower stood on the site that Wako occupies today. In 1921, the Hattori Clock Tower was demolished to rebuild a new one. The reconstruction was delayed due to the
Great Kantō earthquake of September 1, 1923. The new tower was completed in 1932 as the K. Hattori Building. In homage to its predecessor, the new store was also fitted with a clock.
The 1932 building was designed by Jin Watanabe in
art deco influenced
neoclassical style. Its curved
granitefaçade and clock tower form the central landmark for the district and one of the few buildings in the area left standing after
World War II. The building functioned as the Tokyo
PX store during the
Allied Occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1952. The clock tower plays the famous
Westminster Chimes. The tower was destroyed by
Godzilla in
the 1954 film.[1] In reference, it's destruction has thus been featured in further media of the franchise, including the 2016 film
Shin Godzilla and 2023 film
Godzilla Minus One.
The Wako store in Ginza at night, 2018
The Wako store in Ginza at night, 2007
The Wako store in Ginza, 2005
The Wako store in Ginza, 1933
