70216-0018 - Matsuzakaya Department Store

Streetcars pass the Matsuzakaya Department Store in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Opened in 1924, this six-story building was the company’s flagship store.

The company traces its origins to 1611 when Yudo Ito opened a kimono and clothing store in Nagoya. Although his family was of the samurai class, Ito choose to become a merchant.

In 1768, the Ito family purchased a clothing store called Matsuzakaya in Tokyo’s Ueno district. At the time, Tokyo had a population of over one million and Ueno was one of its busiest shopping areas.

In 1925, the company’s name was changed from Matsuzakaya Company Ltd. and all Ito Gofuku stores became known as Matsuzakaya.