The encyclopedia · Strategy & Leadership · Strategic decision · 2016–2026
Hunter built its world's biggest flagship in Ginza — a building sale ended it in 10 years
Opened in 2016 as Hunter's largest flagship worldwide, the Ginza store closes on 31 July 2026 — the building's new owner is renovating it into Ginza Novo.
Hunter · Gaw Capital Partners · 2026-07-31
What happened
HUNTER Ginza opened in March 2016 inside the newly built Tokyu Plaza Ginza at Ginza 5-2-1 — Hunter's second flagship worldwide after London, and at opening its largest anywhere by floor area, carrying the full Hunter Original collection.
Then the landlord changed. In 2025 Hong Kong-based Gaw Capital Partners bought the land and building, renamed it Ginza Novo in December 2025 and scheduled a large-scale renovation and rebranding. On 16 July 2026 it was announced that Hunter's flagship would close on 31 July — ten years after opening — to make way for the project, which is due to complete between late 2027 and early 2028.
No announcement said the flagship would return to Ginza Novo after the renovation. What Hunter lost was not just a lease but the anchor position it had built in Tokyo's most expensive retail district.
Why it happened
- The building passed from Tokyu Land to Gaw Capital, and the new owner's renovation plan did not keep the existing tenants in place.
- A flagship in someone else's building is a guest: when the asset changes hands, the store's decade counts for little.
- The closure came on two weeks' notice — the timetable belonged to the developer, not the brand.
The lesson
A flagship rides on someone else's land: Hunter's world-largest Ginza store opened in 2016 and closes in 2026 because the building changed hands — renovation first, tenants second.
Aftermath
HUNTER Ginza closed on 31 July 2026. Ginza Novo's renovation is scheduled to complete between late 2027 and early 2028; nothing has been announced about Hunter returning to the building.
Sources
- Fashionsnap — "Hunter's world-largest flagship closes with Ginza Novo renovation", 16 July 2026 (HUNTER Ginza closes 31 July 2026; world's largest flagship by floor area, second global flagship after London, full Hunter Original collection; opened 2016 in Tokyu Plaza Ginza at Ginza 5-2-1, Chuo-ku; building acquired by Hong Kong's Gaw Capital Partners in 2025, renamed Ginza Novo December 2025; large-scale renovation/rebranding, completion scheduled between late 2027 and early 2028)
- Yahoo! News Japan (Fashionsnap syndication) — "Hunter's world-largest flagship closes with Ginza Novo renovation", July 2026 (store closed 31 July; building opened March 2016 as Tokyu Plaza Ginza operated by Tokyu Land; acquired 2025 by Gaw Capital Partners; renamed Ginza Novo December 2025; renovation completion late 2027 – early 2028)
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