Ginza

Ginza was Tokyo’s first Western-style shopping district and it’s still one of the city’s best shopping districts. While Ginza is known for luxury, there are plenty of mid-range shops and restaurants. There are also plenty of reasonably-priced hotels.

[Chuo Dori Street in Ginza: Korkusung / Shutterstock.com]

In Japan, the name Ginza is synonymous with old wealth, foreign luxury goods, powerful businessmen and well-heeled ladies who lunch. Many of the original branches of Japan’s best-known and most opulent department stores are located here.

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Wedged between them, you’ll find boutiques representing all the major Japanese and international luxury brands. And, needless to say, there are plenty of chic restaurants, cafes and bars scattered about to power the wealthy through their shopping sprees. This is an extremely pleasant area for strolling and shopping and I highly recommend a visit.

Ginza Highlights

• Chuo-dori Street
• Harumi-dori Street
• Kabukiza

[Chuo-dori Street © Florentyna Leow]

Things To Do And See In Ginza

Ginza is not about visiting specific tourist attractions. Rather, you should experience Ginza in its entirety. Just strolling the streets and soaking it all up is the thing to do here. And, of course, shopping is the real attraction in Ginza. So in addition to the sights listed in this section, I recommend skipping down to the Shopping section below for some ideas for places to visit.

• Chuo-dori Street (shopping street)
  Chuo-dori, which means “Central Street,” is the main shopping avenue of Ginza. It runs roughly east and west, crossing Harumi-dori at the corner where you will find Wako and Mitsukoshi department stores.

[Harumi-dori Street © Florentyna Leow]

• Harumi-dori Street (shopping street)
  Harumi-dori is the other main shopping avenue of Ginza. It runs from the famous Sukiyabashi Intersection down toward Tsukiji, crossing Chuo-dori midway. These two streets should be the first places you explore in Ginza, before branching out into the smaller lanes that are lined with boutiques and restaurants.

[Kabukiza Theatre © Florentyna Leow]

• Kabukiza (kabuki theatre)
  The newly renovated Kabukiza is Tokyo’s main venue for kabuki. It’s worth having a look from outside and you should definitely try to take in at least one act of a show if you can (inquire with your hotel concierge or simply ask at the ticket counter here).
• Ginza Graphic Gallery (photo gallery)
  This graphic media gallery is not a big-name attraction but it’s worth stopping by when in the area to see if the current exhibit looks interesting.
• Art Aquarium in Mitsukoshi Ginza (living art museum)
  Enter a fantastical, otherworldly museum of living art in Mitsukoshi Ginza, one of Tokyo’s best department stores.

Places To Eat In Ginza

Ginza is filled with great restaurants. Keep in mind that Ginza is an upscale district, so prices here tend to be on the high side. Ginza is very close to the Tokyo Station and Marunouchi Area, so consider eating there if you want to save a bit of money.

• Aoki (sushi)
  This approachable and excellent sushi restaurant is a great place for a delectable sushi lunch or dinner in Ginza. There’s an English sign out front.
• Ginza Uchiyama
  With its nondescript entrance and zero signage, top kaiseki restaurant Uchiyama is tricky to find, but well worth the effort. Go for the signature sea bream chazuke, and bargain lunches that won’t require you to sell a kidney.
• Ippudo (ramen)
  I love the ramen at Ippudo and this Ginza branch is a good place to try it. The soup is thick and rich and the crispy gyoza are out of this world!
• Sushiko Honten (sushi)
  This is a refined and dignified sushi restaurant on the north side of Ginza. It’s not cheap but it’s worth it for a memorable splurge. The sign is only in Japanese. Look for the beige bricks and the set back entrance.
• Café de L’Ambre (coffee house)
  Café de L’Ambre in Ginza is a legendary coffeehouse that’s been in operation since 1948. Though the original owner passed away at the age of 104 in March 2018, the coffee continues to be excellent.
• Manpuku (ramen)
  The shoyu (soy sauce-based soup) ramen here is a tasty way to fill up for lunch or dinner while exploring Ginza.
• Daitsune
  How’s this for pivoting your business — Daitsune switched from selling vegetables to serving up tasty bowls of udon noodles and vegetable tempura. A great option if you’re craving udon in the Tsukiji Market area and don’t feel like sushi.
• Kyubey (sushi)
  Kyubey has long been a favorite of wealthy travelers for high-end sushi in Ginza. The sushi is excellent and they are at home with foreign diners.
• Sake no Ana (sake specialist/izakaya)
  If you love sake, don’t miss the excellent sake specialist/izakaya. They’ve got a huge sake list and it’s a good place to sample the good stuff.
• Yabaton (tonkatsu)
  I love my tonkatsu (fried pork cutlets) and when I’m in Ginza, I often eat here. It’s tasty, approachable and filling.
• Ten-Ichi (tempura)
  This high-end but approachable tempura restaurant is a good spot for a splurge on excellent tempura. Be warned: It’s not cheap.
• Isola Blu (pizza/Italian)
  If you need a break from Japanese food, why not try the excellent brick-oven pizza here? There are also other Italian dishes to have with it. It’s casual and easy to enter.
• A Happy Pancake Ginza (Japanese pancakes)
  If you’d like to try Japan’s famous “fluffy pancakes,” drop into the Ginza branch of A Happy Pancake. It’s a cheap and accessible spot to sample these decadent desserts.

Eat Like A Local In Ginza

Want an even more adventurous eating experience where you mingle with Ginza locals? Try these places.

• Chanpuru-ya
  For hearty, homestyle Okinawan cooking, check out Chanpuru-ya, an underground izakaya in Ginza.
• Yomoda Soba Ginzaten
  Ginza doesn’t have to be all about pricey eating. Yomoda Soba is a down-to-earth canteen-style soba and curry operation that’s a great choice for a quick, inexpensive meal.
• Mugi to Olive
  Sometimes eating like a local means queuing like a local. Thankfully, at Mugi to Olive in Ginza, the lines don’t last long — which is a boon when you want some good shoyu ramen.
• Hitsumabushi Bincho Ginza
  If you’d like a refined meal of unagi while exploring Ginza, then this Nagoya-style restaurant is sure to please.
• Tempura Mochiku
  Mochiku is an intimate, counter seating-only tempura restaurant in a quiet part of Ginza. The food? Delicious and unpretentious, if slightly unorthodox for tempura.
• Browse all Eat Like A Local In Tokyo places across the city.

Mid-Range Hotels In Ginza

Despite being a high-end shopping area, Ginza is packed with mid-range hotels. Considering the proximity of Tokyo Station to this area, it’s a good place to stay on a mid-range budget.

• Remm Hibiya Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A great value and solid business hotel near Ginza, Hibiya and Yurakucho. The rates are reasonable and there are in-room massage chairs! Recommended.
• The Gate Hotel Tokyo
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Gate Hotel Tokyo is a smart new hotel with a super-convenient location within easy walking distance of Tokyo Station, Yurakucho and Ginza. Rooms are spacious, the restaurants are smart and the service is excellent.
• Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  On the west side of Ginza, close to Shimbashi, this stylish business hotel has great views and rooms that are a step up from most business hotels. It’s a nice spot.
• Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  This stylish business hotel is well located in Ginza and it’s also close to Tsukiji. Rooms are a step up from your normal business hotel.
• AC Hotel Tokyo Ginza
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Located in East Ginza, the AC Hotel Tokyo Ginza is the latest Marriott property in Ginza. It’s a decent hotel in a relatively convenient location.
• Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Ginza
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  On the border of Ginza and Tsukiji, this Marriott is a decent choice, especially if you want to be close to Tsukiji.
• Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Ginza
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  With some of the cheapest rates of any hotel in Ginza and perfectly acceptable rooms, the Solaria is a good choice for those on a budget.
• Hotel Gracery Ginza
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A decent business hotel in a convenient Ginza location.
• Hotel Monterey Ginza
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Monterey has a good location and decent rooms. The main selling point is the reasonable price.

Shopping In Ginza

• Matsuya Department Store (department store)
  The newly refurbished Matsuya is an awesome place to shop or window shop. The food floor is one of the best in Tokyo. Highly recommended!
• Uniqlo (casual clothing)
  You’ve probably already heard of Uniqlo. You might even have a branch in your own city. If you’re looking for some inexpensive yet attractive clothing, I strongly recommend a visit to this huge branch. It’s a great place to buy an item of clothing that you forgot to pack in your suitcase.
• Mitsukoshi Department Store (department store)
  This vast department store is sort of the heart of Ginza. Don’t miss the food floor and the restaurant floor — plenty to choose from here!
• Wako Department Store (department store)
  This elegant old-line department store is worth checking out, especially for the incredible window displays on street level.
• Tokyu Plaza Ginza (shopping/dining complex)
  Located at the north end of Ginza, near Yurakucho, this vast shopping and dining complex is a good choice for browsers and diners in search of many restaurants to choose from.
• Muji (casual clothing and home/lifestyle items)
  If you aren’t familiar with the earthy “no logo” style of Muji, then check out the huge flagship store in Ginza. You can get some interesting and clever souvenirs here.
• GINZA SIX (shopping mall)
  Opened in 2017, GINZA SIX is one of the newest additions to the main shopping avenue in Ginza. Thoroughly modern and sophisticated in design and curation, it’s filled with enough shopping, food and cultural entertainment options to keep you occupied for days.
• Kyukyodo (Japanese paper and traditional art/craft items)
  This classic old Tokyo shop specializes in Japanese paper, calligraphy goods, tea ceremony items and other traditional Japanese art and craft items. It’s one of my favorite shops in Tokyo for Japanese-style gifts. Highly recommended!
• Itoya (stationery)
  This huge stationery store is one of my favorite places to buy pens, paper, office supplies and anything even vaguely related to those things.
• Mikimoto (pearls)
  The Ginza branch of Japan’s famous pearl specialist is a must if you’re in the market for pearls.

Nightlife In Ginza

• Favori (Belgian beer pub)
  If you like Belgian beer, then you should make a beeline to this Ginza beer specialty pub. You can also get great pub grub here like mussels and fries.
• Musshu Mizuki (sake specialist/izakaya)
  This basement sake specialist is a great way to work your way through the various types of Japanese sake in pleasant surroundings.

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Tokyo map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

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