オススメ度
外国語対応
About Ginza･Yurakucho
To foreign travelers such as yourselves Ginza might just seem like a busy town, but for the Japanese, it is a special place that is admired, meaning dressing up is necessary.
As one of the biggest shopping and business districts in Japan, Ginza’s streets of lined with flagship stores of world famous brands, department stores, first class restaurants, and nationally famous shops with a long history, not to mention the real estate property here is the most expensive in Japan.
Brief History
Historically speaking, the town is rich with tradition as it flourished as the epicenter of Tokyo for hundreds of years beginning from the Edo era.
Before the 1600’s the area of Ginza was all sea, however it was reclaimed after entering the Edo era (1603-1868) and developed to mint silver coins from 1612.
Ginza transformed during the Meiji era (1868-1912) into a business and shopping district that still flourishes to this day.
Also, the town carries an air of culture and entertainment with the traditional art of Kabuki at Kabukiza Theatre and other theater plays held at the Imperial Theatre, or the several art galleries that can be found in the area.
Don’t be surprised to see beautiful women and well dressed men walking around either, Ginza is well-known for this.
Nearby Excursions
If Tokyo Station, Tsukiji and Tsukishima, Akihabara, and Ueno are on your list of places to check out, visit them on the same day, they are all nearby.
Recommendation
This area is notoriously expensive-around 20% higher than other areas, so if you’re traveling on a tight budget, you better stay clear of this town.
It’s just too expensive. If money is not an issue feel free to splurge on food and shopping.
Shopping
In terms of shopping, there is fashion wear, food products, and gifts.
Ginza is the attraction of flagship stores of the global “super brands” such as BVLGARI, CHANEL, LOUIS VUITTON, HERMES, GUCCI, Cartier and more than 40 other luxury brands, and though they are not particularly cheap compared to other countries, they are all lined up next to one another, each with a wide selection of products. Looking around and walking can be just as fun.
If you can’t afford the high-end luxury brands, head to, ZARA, H&M, GAP, and UNIQLO, the pillars of affordable “fast fashion,” which have their doors open in Ginza too.
Take part in both shopping and dining at department stores which have their fair share of shops as well.
Food
Don’t forget, Ginza is one of the top districts for fine dining in Tokyo, the city regarded as the world’s No.1 city for gourmet food.
Entertainment
Gentlemen’s club
Ginza is the territory of upscale clubs and bars where you can try and sweet talk your way to a date with a girl or pay to talk with one at a “gentlemen’s club,” where the women sit beside you and just talk, nothing more.
Just sitting down to drink and chat with one of these girls can cost per person at least ¥50,000.
Furthermore, 99% of the time nothing more comes of it so it’s an unreasonable, seemingly crazy system for outsiders, but it’ll make for a good story when you go back home.
Kabuki
Now, for those of you who are sophisticated and have interest in Japanese traditional arts we recommend viewing Kabuki theatre.
A cheap seat will cost from around ¥1,000.
Access to Ginza / Yurakucho
Quite a few train lines pass through Ginza and Yurakucho making access to the area very easy.
Ginza area
Tokyo Metro
- Ginza Line
- Hibiya Line
- Marunouchi Line
- Yurakucho Line
Toei Subway
- Asakusa Line
Yurakucho area
JR
- Yamanote Line
- Keihin-Tohoku Line
- Keiyo Line
Tokyo Metro
- Hibiya Line (Hibiya Station)
- Chiyoda Line (Hibiya Station)
Toei Subway
- Mita Line (Hibiya Station)
Sightseeing
There isn’t anything in particular you should see.
The town was built as one luxurious place effusing upper class and tradition.
It’s like one upscale theme park.
In Japan, there is a blend word called “Ginbura.” It comes from walking around (“bura-bura”) Ginza, so you should do the same. Step inside nice shops and eat delectable dishes.
Shopping
Department Store
Department stores are where you’ll find restaurants and shopping organized in one building.
And in Ginza they are surely expensive to shop at, but the quality goods and a great selection of items are there.
Fashion and cosmetics are often found on floors 1-4, while sweets and foods in general are usually located on the basement floor of department stores.
Ginza Mitsukoshi
Standing Tall at Ginza 4-chome crossing, it is one of the pillars of department stores in Japan, carrying the best quality of products from fashion wear to food items. The basement floor food gallery in particular is excellent. Famous among the Japanese, and popular as a meeting spot, are the lion statues at the front […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Access | Directly connected to Tokyo M[…] |
| Tel | 03−3562−1111 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Matsuya Ginza
Highly regarded in its own right, Matsuya Ginza has been selling high-end fashion since its opening in 1925. Popular are the newest sweets and deli on basement floors 1 and 2.
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-6-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Access | 2 min. walk from Tokyo Metro […] |
| Tel | 03-3567-1211 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
GINZA SIX
One of the largest shopping complexes in the Ginza area which opened recently in April 2017. Most of the tenants are fashion brands, lifestyle shops, or center around beauty cosmetics, and among the tenants 6 luxury brands – including Dior and Celine – occupy some of the largest shop real estate in Japan. As for […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 6-10-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Access | 6 min. walk from Tokyo Metro […] |
| Tel | |
| URL | [ Click ] |
LUMINE Yurakucho
A fashion building focused on apparel. There are cosmetics and general goods stores here too; a little something for everyone with a wide range of shops. And what’s nice is there are cafes and restaurants on each floor.
[ See details ]
| Address | 2-5-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Access | 1 min. walk from Yurakucho St[…] |
| Tel | 03-6268-0730 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Tokyu Plaza
Tokyu Plaza is a large scale shopping complex standing at Sukiyabashi intersection. The department store has a rich selection of shops, but ones to note are FIND JAPAN MARKET – a shop selling high quality made in Japan products – and the large scale airport style duty free store, Lotte Duty Free Tokyo Ginza stor
[ See details ]
| Address | 5-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Access | 1 min. walk from Tokyo Metro […] |
| Tel | 03-3571-0109 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
YURAKUCHO ITOCiA
The fashion building portion of this shopping complex has Marui – a Japanese large scale department store – as the key tenant.
[ See details ]
| Address | 2-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Access | 1 min. walk from Yurakucho St[…] |
| Tel | |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Entertainment
Kabuki-za
Originally built in 1889, this kabuki theater is the only theater in Japan made for Kabuki and was renovated in 2013. If you are unfamiliar with Kabuki then look it up on Wikipedia for better understanding. Built using Momoyama style architecture, the building is a majestic piece of work. The interior does not disappoint either, […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 4-12-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Access | Station: Higashi-Ginza Statio[…] |
| Tel | 03-3545-6800 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Club
There are several large clubs around Ginza. Compared to Shibuya and Roppongi, it is characterized by a higher age group of customers.
GENIUS TOKYO
This is one of the largest discos in Tokyo, located in Ginza. As a long-established disco (though this is its 13th year), it has been consistently lively. Because of its location, many customers work in Ginza, and on weekends the floor is packed with businessmen and office workers on their way home from work. The […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 646 Building 3F-6F, 6-4-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku,Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Access | Tokyo Metro/Ginza Line, Marun[…] |
| Tel | |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Eat
In Tokyo – regarded as the world’s No.1 fine dining city – Ginza stands as one of the top gourmet district. More than 40 restaurants have received at least 1 Michelin star, the level of cuisine is one you won’t find anywhere else.
Sushi especially, the best in its class, are concentrated in Ginza.
Many of these sushi restaurants serve lunch sets from ¥1,500 to ¥5,000, which is highly recommended.
Visit the “Eat” page to find different genres of food and more detailed information about each restaurant.
Use the below list as a short reference for cafes and sweets in Ginza district.
Cafe & Sweets
With streets lined with luxury brands, Ginza is where one will find superb cafes to enjoy delectable sweets of the highest caliber in elegant settings without much trouble.
Shiseido Parlour Salon de Cafe
This famous cafe managed by the large cosmetics company, Shiseido, first opened its doors in 1902. The interior brims chic and elegance inviting an air of refinement. A dedicated kitchen for making handmade vanilla ice cream that goes harmoniously with the acidity of the strawberries for a refreshing strawberry parfait, the french toast (with honey […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 8-8-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo [Tokyo Ginza Shiseido Building 3rd floor] |
|---|---|
| Access | 7 min. walk from Ginza Statio[…] |
| Tel | 03-5537-6231 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Ginza Sembikiya Ginza Honten
Specializing in high-end fruits, Ginza Sembikiya opened in 1894 managing this shop and serving desserts with copious amount of fruits. Fruit parfaits are popular, among them “Ginza Parfait,” which comes packed with specially selected seasonal fruits, a masterpiece gorgeously presented, is the one to order.
[ See details ]
| Address | 5-5-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Access | Within short walking distance[…] |
| Tel | |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Ginza Maison Henri Charpentier
Run by a famous and long-established sweets shop. Patrons get to enjoy artistic table desserts in a sophisticated setting. Their most popular menu is the Crepe Suzette, a crepe that melts in your mouth like silk the moment you bite into it. The finishing touch of the flame performance before you is a nice touch.
[ See details ]
| Address | 2-8-20 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo [building: Yonei 1st floor, basement floor] |
|---|---|
| Access | 1 min. walk from Ginza-Itchom[…] |
| Tel | 03-3562-2721 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
PIERRE MARCOLINI Ginza Store
For selecting and roasting cocoa beans themselves and mixing them, the brand is known as one of the purveyors to the Belgian Royal Household. It is a popular chocolate shop to say the least. The shop in Ginza is the only PIERRE MARCOLINI shop with a cafe attached to it. Not only do they have […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 5-5-8 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (2nd & 3rd floors) |
|---|---|
| Access | 1 min. walk from Ginza Stati[…] |
| Tel | 03-5537-0015 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
