Ginza

In Japan, if Mount Fuji represents its natural beauty and Kyoto its long history, then Ginza is a symbol of its modernity. Known as the “Heart” of Tokyo, Ginza is the most prosperous and expensive place of Asia. It also ranks among the world's three major bustling centers along with the Champs-Elysees in Paris and the Fifth Avenue in New York. Varied high-end department stores, Michelin restaurants, and nightclubs can be found here.

Ginza refers to the area from Ginza 1-butyl to Ginza 8-butyl, of which the Ginza 4-butyl, also called Chuo Dori Street is the most popular and the majority of department stores are located there. During weekends and holidays, the street is closed to vehicles, and visitors are allowed to walk on it. The WAKO Tower of the WAKO Department Store is the landmark of the area.

Chuo Dori Street in Ginza

Best Shopping Places to Go in Ginza

1. WAKO

WAKO is a premium specialty store, where you can buy varied luxury and haute watches. In addition, exquisite materials, professional workmanship, and unique styles help the high-end clothes of WAKO stand out. The WAKO Tower is the symbol of WAKO, established in 1931. On the sixth floor “SEIKO HOUSE GINZA HALL”, diverse exhibitions about crafts, jewelry, and tableware will be held regularly.

WAKO Tower in Ginza

2. Mitsukoshi

Mitsukoshi Department Store is a large chain department store in Japan, specializing in fashion products, and its main customers are young people. On the basement level of the Ginza store, GINZA COSME WORLD brings together a number of cosmetic brands, like CHANEL, SK-II, DIOR, and MAC. On the east side of the floor, there are information desks and duty-free counters for visitors.

3. Ginza Six

Ginza Six was built in 2017 and has been the biggest shopping mall in Ginza. It has 13 floors and is divided into shopping, food, and sightseeing areas. It owns the biggest specialty store of Dior in Japan, which occupies a full five floors. The garden roof of GINZA Six is an open-air space where you can overlook the Ginza whole street view. If you are lucky, you even can see Mount Fuji and Tokyo Tower from the roof.

4. Matsuya Ginza

Matsuya Ginza is a department store has a history of 150 years. The pearly white glass wall makes the building stand out. Kimonos are a major feature of the department store.

Walking Street in Ginza

5. Ginza Natsuno

Ginza Natsuno is a store that mainly sells chopsticks. You will see thousands of pairs of distinctive chopsticks and chopsticks holders. Besides, varied Japanese crafts are displayed here, such as ceramics, regional dolls, and lacquerware.

6. Ginza Seiyudo

Ginza Seiyudo is the biggest Nippon swords store in Japan. You can appreciate the authentic Japanese swords here. Japanese swords are not only a weapon, but also a kind of handicraft. The value of Japanese swords is very high, and it is collected by many collectors. The price of Nippon swords in the store is usually between 30,000 yen and 5,000,000 yen.

7. KOHGEN Ginza (incense store)

KOHGEN Ginza is a special shop selling burning incense, incense wood, and Buddha beads. It owns nearly five thousand kinds of incense, allowing the guests to try the incense.

8. Kagami Crystal

Kagami Crystal displays colorful and exquisite glasswork made by hand, reflecting the artisan spirit of Japan. The signature product of Kagami Crystal, Edo Cut Ko, is a good gift for your friends and relatives.

9. Ginza ITO Ya

Ginza ITO Ya is a stationery store with a "Red pin" logo in Japan, and it was founded in 1904. It mainly deals in a variety of stationery, office supplies, and furniture supplies. The mission of the store is “comfort”. You can experience the comfort of these products.

Other Things to Do in Ginza

1. Eating Japanese Specialty Food

Various fine-dining restaurants are located in Ginza. You can taste the food from Italian, French, Arab, Japan, and so on. Sushi is a Japanese specialty that should not be missed. Harutaka is a famous sushi restaurant with a two-star Michelin in Ginza. You can taste the authentic Japanese sushi here. However, you need to reserve your location a month in advance. You also can taste sushi in some famous sushi chains and experience Japanese face-to-face service ways, such as Hisumi Ginza and Ginza Sushi Yuki.

Delicious Sushi in Ginza

A restaurant in Ginza

2. Enjoying Nightlife in a Bar

Ginza Backstreet has nearly 1,000 bars, dance halls, and nightclubs. It is common for one person to spend nearly 20,000 yen. Enjoying the night here is a good choice, like Akatsuki Taps, Sake Hall Hibiya Bar, and Shot Bar the Mint.

How to Get to Ginza

From Tokyo City:

1. Take Metro Ginza Line, Hibiya Line, or Marunouchi Line, and get off at Ginza Station.

2. Take JR Yamanote Line, and get off at Yūrakuchō Station.

From the Airport:

1. Take the AIRPORT BUS TYO-NRT from Narita Airport to Ginza, and it takes nearly 80 minutes.

Recommended Visit Time

Half a day is enough. The weekend is a better choice since the main street will become walk street.

Nearby Attraction:

1. Tsukiji Market was once the world’s largest fish market, and it was closed in 2017. Now, only Tsukiji Outer Market is preserved, and become a famous food district, selling traditional Japanese food. You can enjoy fresh and delicious seafood at its outside market in the morning. It takes about 13 minutes to walk there from Ginza.