Attractions > Tokyo > Area > Ginza

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Ginza on a Sunday, Tokyo Japan by Tenji (GNU Free)

 

About

World Famous "Ginza". Some people call it "The Ginza" but the Japanese themselves just call it "Ginza". Ginza today is basically an upscale shopping district that is pretty near Tokyo Station (just a stop away). On Sundays (and some Saturdays) they close the main street to cars so it becomes a pedestrian paradise. The entire street is filled with high-end department stores, boutiques, resturaunts and "nightlife" establishments. Many popular fashion designs have their "flagship" shops here like Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Sony, Apple and Ricoh with major department stores such as Hankyu, Seibu and Matsuya taking up large chunks of the main street. Don't expect to find any "deals" here, Ginza is strictly for the posh and high end "real" quality stuff.

The area Ginza sits on was originally a swamp! Now a few hundred years later one of mans most expensive pieces of real-estate you can buy. 1872 is the year "Ginza" started its initial trek to become one of the worlds most posh cities. In that year a fire burned down the old city and the government decided to "start over" and designated the area a "Model of Modernization". Brick, instead of wood, buildings were built and the city began to flourish. Most of these buildings are now gone but the famous Wako building (see image below) still remains.

Its best to visit Ginza on the weekend when the street is closed but anyday is bustling with activity. Ginza at night is a different world and becomes "City beautiful" with all the different colored neon lights. "Day" and "Night" Ginza are very different! During the day you will see upper-class ladies carrying their department store bags around and drinking coffee while eating cake in high-end bakeries. At night, after the sun goes down... you may catch a glimpse of a "Giza Hostess" getting out of a taxi and walking to her place of business (if you feel like dropping a couple hundred, or even thousand, you too can visit her place of business).

Areas of Interest

Tokyo International Forum is multi-purpose exhibition center in Japan near Tokyo Station (between Tokyo Station and Yurakucho Stations). The building is known for its fabulous architecture designed by Rafael Vinoly, "swooping curves of steel and glass". Completed in 1996 it has been the convention and exhibition center for many of the worlds largest events (one of it's halls seats 5,000). There are also restaurants, shops and vast exhibition space areas. The Tokyo International Forum is very near Yurakucho station and you can easily take a quick walk through it to check out the beautiful architecture.

Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan is a commercial building just outside Yurakucho Station. The building features a revolving restaurant on top, and houses various tenants including the passport center and "Antenna Shops" from various other Prefectures in Japan. The "Antenna Shops" are pretty cool because you can buy various products and get travel information about those prefectures by very nice and considerate service workers. The building is pretty crowded during lunchtime as there are various restaurants businessmen visit on their lunch break.

Kabukiza (Kabuki Theater) The Kabukiza is one of the best places to see kabuki, featuring plays almost every day. Originally built on this spot in 1889, the building has been destroyed and rebuilt no less than 4 times. Most recently demolished in 2010 and rebuilt, construction complete just recently in 2013. Tickets range between 4,000 and 25,000 yen for a "Full Play". You can also purchase a ticket for just "One Act" for around 4,000 yen. Kabuki is really somthing you shouldn't miss while visiting Tokyo. If your not big into "Plays" then watching just "One Act" is a great alternative to get some Japanese culture.

Tsukiji Honganji Temple is a Buddhist Temple of the Jodo Sect. It is very near Ginza and Tsukiji and easy to visit but... not exactly what you might expect from a Japanese temple. Rebuilt in 1934 out of concrete, this Japanese Buddhist temple does not look or feel like a traditional Japanese temple in any sense. See more details here.

The Sony Building The Sony Building is a Ginza landmark, the Sony Building features a variety of shops, showrooms and restaurants. Among these are the Sony Showroom, where you can see, touch and try the latest Sony products; the Sony Shop, where you can buy international models of Sony products; and other shops offering the perfect Japanese souvenirs. See more details here.

Tsukiji Fish Market Do you love sushi? Tsukiji Market is the Mecca of sushi! Come see where it all "really" happens. The best... yes, the BEST fish in the world pass through this market on a daily basis. In actuality, Tsukiji Market is a "real" large wholesale market for fish, fruits and vegetables... not just a tourist destination. Tsukiji Market is known as one of the world's largest fish markets, handling over 2,000 tons of marine products per day. In 2016 it is "planned" that the market will be moved to Toyosu but we'll see if that actually happens. See more details here.

Shiodome City Center Shiodome City Center is a skyscraper / shopping complex near Ginza Tokyo. Shiodome City Center, which is known for its modern architectural design, with many corporate offices and restaurants gathered upon the building. Some of Japan's largest corporations have their headquarters, main offices or corporate offices in this building. There is a mix of offices, shopping and restaurants. The astonishing view from the upper-level restaurants is a highly recommendable sight. See more details here.

Caretta Shiodome Caretta Shiodome is a shopping, dining and entertainment complex and is the headquarters of "Dentsu", the headquarters of Japan's leading advertising company. There are restaurants with spectacular views on the top floors, while more restaurants and shopping areas are located on the lower parts. The rest of the tower is devoted to office space. Caretta features a musical theater, a museum on advertising and a range of shops and restaurants, including the "sky restaurants" on the building's top floors. See more details here.

 

Access

Closest Train Station: Ginza

Ginza
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 Japan

You can get to Ginza by exiting many stations including the JR Yurakucho Station or Ginza Station on the Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line or Hibiya Subway Lines.

Google Map

 

Hotels & Lodging

Recommended

View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Ginza.

 

Hours & Fees

Hours: This is a Area, therefore each establishment has it's own hours but generally shops in Japan generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. while restaurants are generally open until 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m.

Cost: Each establishment's cost is different.

Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by contacting the attraction before visiting.