The Seiko Clock Tower & Ginza Wako: A Witness to Ginza’s Changing Times

Wako is a luxury goods specialty brand owned by the Seiko Group, and the shopping facility’s origins find their roots in another location under another name. In the 1800s, “Hattori Tokeiten” (服部時計店) was a watch shop operated as the retail division of K. Hattori & Co. (the predecessor to Seiko), but in 1947 it went independent under the name Wako Co., Ltd. (株式会社 和光). Since 1952, Wako has been operating in its current location, in the iconic clock tower building, and it has become an emblem of Ginza’s fashion and prestige. Over the years, Ginza Wako has stood watch over the ever-changing trends of one of Tokyo’s most distinctive neighborhoods.

Watch lovers and researchers may know a little of the history of Seiko and its clock tower building, beginning with Seiko founder Kintaro Hattori, who established Hattori Tokeiten in 1881. It was Hattori who constructed the very first clock tower in this location in 1894, and as his business expanded, he acquired adjacent buildings, eventually transforming the structure into the Seiko Clock Tower Building, which officially opened the following year.

In the decades before World War II, the store was reconstructed from the ground up, and when the Great Kanto Earthquake struck Tokyo mid-way through the process, it let to the creation of a second-generation clock tower building complete with earthquake and fire-resistant features. But it wasn’t just safer – the new building was made of natural stone, with intricate bronze arabesque patterns under the clock tower’s dial and in the building’s windows, and Italian marble adorning the interior walls, all working towards an elegant classical aesthetic. After the war, the U.S. military requisitioned the building and repurposed it as an American PX (Post Exchange) for military shopping. It wasn’t until 1952 that the Seiko Group regained ownership, and was finally able to establish the Ginza Wako we know today.

Throughout its 130 years of history, the clock tower that houses Ginza Wako has undergone multiple renovations, aiming to modernize facilities, improve accessibility, and ensure a comfortable shopping experience. On the other hand, the building has also been preserved as a historic landmark, earning a designation as an Industrial Modernization Heritage site from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry in 2009. It stands as an icon of Ginza and a testament to Japan’s modern history, recognized worldwide as the “holy land of Seiko” by Seiko watch enthusiasts.

Today, Ginza Wako continues to evolve with the times, maintaining its sophisticated atmosphere and adding touches like the new art gallery space, which hosts rotating art exhibitions. Shoppers can browse a curated selection of luxury watches such as Grand Seiko and Credor, as well as jewelry, fashion accessories, and a variety of exclusive items, so let’s take a closer look at what each floor has to offer.

1F: Wako Watch Square

The first floor of Ginza Wako houses Wako Watch Square, possibly Japan’s most comprehensive luxury watch showroom. This space features timepieces from Wako’s in-house brand Wako Watch, as well as Seiko, Grand Seiko, and Credor, all alongside a number of international luxury brands such as Breguet and IWC. The selection includes exclusive Grand Seiko models that are only available at Ginza Wako – a must-see for watch collectors visiting Tokyo.

Continuing its long history as a watch specialty store, the Wako Watch Square also provides an array of professional maintenance services and watch accessories. The extensive selection of watch straps is particularly popular.

While browsing watches, we recommend you take a moment to appreciate the exquisite design of the Wako Watch Square space. Inspired by Kintaro Hattori’s childhood dreams, the design seems to mark every minute and second of your precious time in the shop, visualizing the flow of time throughout the space and allowing you to experience the essence of time in a new way. The long curved display cases are a major design highlight of this space – not only is this shape technically difficult to produce out of glass, but the shape is set off by the wood below, which was carefully searched out from around the world and meticulously sliced into thin sheets to create a sleek finish.

Nearby, the tiles on the pillars are each numbered and precisely oriented to create a unique texture. All of this complexity was created in order to disrupt and complicate the shadows and light of customers moving around in the space, and express “the passage of time” through every part of the room. Time, effort, craftsmanship – you’ll find the same concepts at the heart of this room, and the watches lined up inside the display cases.

2F: The Grand Seiko Flagship Boutique Ginza, the Credor Salon, and Jewelry Square

On the second floor of Ginza Wako, shoppers will find the Grand Seiko Flagship Boutique Ginza (a true delight for watch lovers), the Credor Salon, and Jewelry Square, which exhibits and sells diamonds, pearls, and a variety of other beautiful jewelry pieces.

Grand Seiko Flagship Boutique Ginza

At the Grand Seiko Flagship Boutique Ginza, visitors can explore an exclusive selection of high-end Grand Seiko timepieces. The boutique regularly has 30 or 40 Grand Seiko models on display on just the second floor, including 18K yellow gold watches and limited-edition pieces.

One of the boutique’s highlights is its collection of “fine vintage” Grand Seiko watches first crafted in the ’60s and ’70s, which are overhauled by timepiece experts before being offered on the shop floor. Of course, customers can also take advantage of exclusive customization services at the Grand Seiko Flagship Boutique Ginza and order a “Grand Seiko Bespoke Watch,” which includes options for order-made 18K gold and platinum models.

At the center of the boutique is a space that resembles a living room, designed to reflect their image of a Grand Seiko owner’s home to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for guests to relax in. In the same area, visitors will find historical displays featuring Grand Seiko’s legacy, including vintage timepieces, archival publications, and intricate watch components, offering a deep dive into the brand’s history and craftsmanship.

With its extensive collection of luxury models, exclusive order-made timepiece services, rare vintage pieces, and immersive historical exhibits, the Grand Seiko Flagship Boutique Ginza has earned a spot on the Tokyo itinerary of any true watch aficionado.

Credor Salon

For those seeking a watch a little different from a Grand Seiko, perhaps something even more elegant, the Credor Salon awaits. Credor is another Seiko brand, representing the pinnacle of Japanese aesthetics and artisanal craftsmanship. It’s hard to call a Credor watch just another product for sale, since each one is like a work of art, embodying a delicate balance between understated elegance and intricate detail created by talented craftspeople. Their designs are versatile, effortlessly complementing various styles while maintaining an air of exclusivity.

Visitors to the Credor Salon can browse many of their signature collections, such as the Goldfeather series and the Eichi II collection.

Jewelry Square

As a premier luxury retailer, Ginza Wako not only offers its own exclusive in-house jewelry designs, but also curates a selection of pieces from popular Japanese and international jewelry brands, providing visitors with a diverse array of options.

For diamond enthusiasts, Ginza Wako offers exclusive designs made with Ashoka diamonds, an American variety cut with a patented technique. The Ashoka cut, inspired by the classical elongated cushion or emerald cut, optimizes width-to-depth ratios for enhanced brilliance and grandeur. Each Ashoka diamond features 62 precisely crafted facets, maximizing light refraction and giving it an unparalleled sparkle. At Ginza Wako, in-house jewelry designers transform these magnificent diamonds into a stunning collection of exclusive jewelry pieces. And right now, this is the only place to buy Ashoka diamonds in Japan!

For those who prefer pearls, Ginza Wako offers an exquisite selection of Akoya pearls (アコヤ真珠) sourced from Japan’s coastal waters. Wako has been a purveyor of fine jewels and accessories since its early days as Hattori Tokeiten, and among the an array of fine gemstones available, Akoya pearls have always been a favorite.

Akoya pearls are beloved by jewelry collectors worldwide, and at the Jewelry Square, shoppers can explore an exclusive collection of Wako-designed Akoya pearl jewelry catering to those with refined tastes. There are classic white pearls, alongside the less common black pearl creations.

Beyond its in-house collections, Ginza Wako also showcases an impressive selection of prestigious international jewelry brands, including the Japanese brand Gimel (known for its insect and animal motifs), the French brand Messika, and German brand Wellendorff.

3F: Women’s Fashion, Bags, and Accessories

The third floor of Ginza Wako is dedicated to women’s fashion, offering a sophisticated selection of clothing, handbags, handkerchiefs, and other accessories. Among them, shoppers will find original items from the Wako brand, which seamlessly blend fashion and practicality. For casual outings or formal occasions, these pieces make for versatile wardrobe staples.

One of the highlights of this floor is Wako’s original Manaco leather handbag collection, which uses cute round shapes and vibrant colors to create unique, eye-catching designs that have made the bags popular among Tokyo’s fashion enthusiasts.

Although Ginza Wako is known for luxury timepieces and fine jewelry, not everything at the department store is out of reach for the everyday shopper – its fashion and accessories collection is more accessible than you might expect. The third floor’s pricing is relatively reasonable, making it an excellent destination for those who appreciate sophisticated fashion and design without the high-end price tag.

4F: Men’s Fashion & Accessories

While the third floor caters largely to women, the fourth floor at Ginza Wako is dedicated to men’s fashion and accessories, from suits and ties to leather goods, and other gentlemanly essentials. Each item showcases fine craftsmanship, meticulously selected materials, and sophisticated designs, offering plenty of items that are great for personal use, or as thoughtful gifts.

Ginza Wako’s diverse collection of ties is particularly impressive, making Ginza Wako’s 4th floor a popular place to shop for gifts – the broad selection allows customers to express both sentiment and style through a carefully selected tie.

B1 & 6F: Arts & Culture, and Exhibitions

Ginza Wako has always focused on supplying of high-quality products and beautiful art, working to provide customers with an ever-more beautiful experience. The name “Wako” itself has artistic origins, originally used in 1930s when its predecessor (Hattori Tokeiten) held a regularly scheduled art sales event called the “Wako-kai.” Almost a century in the past, Wako was already introducing the public to new aesthetic concepts through these exhibitions and artisan sales.

After Wako became independent and moved into its current clock tower building in the 1950s, it invited up-and-coming designers of the time to participate in design competitions, which sparked new trends and made Ginza Wako’s window displays world famous as “The Face of Ginza” (銀座の顔). Later, in the 1960s, Wako hosted a series of “Wako Art Exhibitions,” systematically introducing Japanese painting and sculpture craftsmanship to the world.

In 1970, Wako transformed the former 6th-floor staff cafeteria into a dedicated space for cultural and artistic exhibitions, now known as the Seiko House Hall.

Most recently, the basement space of Ginza Wako underwent renovations in 2024, and was turned into the “Arts & Culture” space, which offers products from a wide variety of local and international creators and collaborations. This area was designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto and Tomoyuki Sakakida, under the direction of the New Material Research Laboratory. The design integrates elements of a stage and winding corridors to create unique features like the main exhibition platform, which uses overlapping wooden boards (made from Kirishima cedar and measuring 6.1 meters and 5 meters in length) arranged like clock hands. The central axis of the display can actually rotate like a clock, and the shape is adjusted to fit the theme and content of each new special event.

The use of Kirishima cedar wooden elements throughout the space fills the air with a soothing woody aroma, adding extra relaxation to every moment spent enjoying the art.

Ginza Wako (銀座・和光)
4-5-11 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00 (open every day except for winter holidays)
Directions: directly connected to Ginza Station (Tokyo Metro), exits A9, A10, and B1
Official Website (jp)

Ginza Wako Annex: Fine Confections, Souvenirs, and a Tea Salon

After exploring the Ginza Wako main building, visitors can also stop by the adjacent annex, which features an exquisite selection of sweets and souvenirs, as well as a tea house – very Ginza. The Cake & Chocolate Shop on the first floor of the annex sells a wide variety of pastries, chocolate creations, and other desserts, all freshly crafted on-site by expert patissiers. The selection changes seasonally, and there are around 30 different types of even just the chocolates available at any one time.

One of the most popular products at the Wako Annex is their “Marron Chocolat,” a box of French-style candied chestnuts coated in premium chocolate. Just one bite will transport you straight to Paris! For a more traditionally Japanese flavor, Wako’s matcha cake stands out due to the use of high-grade matcha. The richly tea-flavored cake is covered in a matcha chocolate coating and decorated with gold leaf to resemble traditional Japanese lacquerware, making a feast for the eyes and the mouth.

^{Photo Courtesy of Ginza Wako}

When you’re ready for a little break, the second-floor Tea Salon offers a menu primarily focused on limited seasonal desserts, with some light meal options such as sandwiches and buckwheat galettes, and – of course – a selection of teas. With its elegant decor and ample natural light, the space exudes a serene ambiance, making it an ideal place to enjoy a sweet treat while soaking in the sophisticated atmosphere of Ginza.

^{*Note: Pre-school age children are not permitted in the Tea Salon.}

The “gourmet salon” on the B1 floor of the annex operates under the theme of “A Food Hall of Time,” offering delicacies that change with the seasons and mature over time, allowing customers to feel the passage of time through the very food they eat. The shop features seasonal delicacies, an extensive selection of wines and other alcohol, fresh jams, and more. The “Find Out About Nippon” section, in particular, showcases seasonal specialties from various regions across Japan, making it an interesting place to find unique souvenirs.

Ginza Wako Annex (銀座・和光 別館)
4-4-8 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
Hours:
　　1F Cake & Chocolate Shop: 10:30 – 19:30 (~19:00 on Sundays and holidays)
　　2F Tea Salon: 10:30 – last order at 19:00 (or 18:30 on Sundays and holidays)
　　B1F Gourmet Salon: 10:30 – 19:30 (~19:00 on Sundays and holidays)
Directions: directly connected to Ginza Station (Tokyo Metro), exits A9, A10, and B1
Official Website (jp)

Discover Your Own Taste for Luxury at This Ginza Landmark

With its historic building, recognized as a site of Industrial Modernization Heritage, as well as the craftsmanship of watchmakers represented by Grand Seiko and Credor, fine jewelry featuring Ashoka diamonds and Akoya pearls, stylish clothing and accessories, carefully planned art exhibitions, and even the exquisite sweets in the annex, Ginza Wako is the place to look for the essence of Japanese craftsmanship.

Spend some time enjoying the elegant space and attentive staff, and if you find something you like, you can purchase it tax-free. Tax-free services are conveniently available on all floors at Ginza Wako, eliminating the need to visit a designated tax refund counter.

Whether you’re searching for a high-quality timepiece, a stunning new piece of jewelry, a stylish fashion accessory, a meaningful gift for an important person, or simply a place to enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea, make Ginza Wako your next destination.

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