Seiko House Ginza
Jin Watanabe · Tokyo, Japan · 1932
Seiko House Ginza, widely recognized through the Wako clock tower, is the historic symbol of Ginza’s central crossing. Designed by Jin Watanabe and completed in 1932, the building carries the atmosphere of prewar modern commercial Tokyo, combining a dignified stone façade with a prominent clock tower. While many surrounding buildings have been replaced by contemporary glass and metal retail architecture, Wako remains an anchor of continuity. Its corner position makes it one of the district’s most photographed urban markers and a natural starting point for a Ginza architecture walk. The building’s value is both architectural and cultural: it represents Ginza’s evolution from historic department-store district to global luxury destination.