Find glitz and glamour in Ginza, where high-end shops and luxury brands gather. Unlike Shinjuku or Shibuya, Ginza maintains a Taisho period aesthetic, which can be seen in the architecture in the area. Several of the shops in Ginza also hail from the same era, upholding tradition while surviving the ups and downs of the Japanese economy. Besides the shopping hotspot that it is, Ginza is also home to several small Inari shrines, which are tucked inconspicuously in its alleys, giving urban explorers a thrilling alternative to the district’s main attractions.
Top Attractions in Ginza
Wako
The symbol of Ginza, Wako is at the heart of the upscale shopping district. The historic building has stood on the corner of Ginza 4-chome since 1881, when the founder of Seiko, Kintaro Hattori, began selling the now internationally-acclaimed timepieces. As Seiko grew, its retail division gave birth to the department store that is known as Wako today. Wako sells watches and jewelry, as well as other imported goods. The building pays tribute to its founder with a giant Seiko clock fitted onto an elegant tower.
Wako (和光, わこう)
10:30 to 19:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Kabukiza Theater
Looking to catch a kabuki performance in Tokyo? Ginza Kabukiza is the place to go. This historic theater dates back to 1889 and includes a gallery, a rooftop garden, as well as restaurants, and concession stands. Since kabuki is a traditional art form that may be difficult to understand for non-fans, audio guides are available in both Japanese and English. These guides explain scenes in the play and help the casual viewer appreciate it better.
Kabukiza Theater (歌舞伎座, かぶきざ)
Official Website
Google Maps
Mitsukoshi Ginza
One of Ginza’s most prominent landmarks, this luxury department store has been operating since 1930. There are about 130 shops in the building, with the 2nd and 3rd basement floors dedicated to food. The lion statue near the crossing is also a popular meeting spot among locals.
Mitsukoshi Ginza (銀座三越, ぎんざ みつこし)
10:00 to 18:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Seiko Museum Ginza
The growth and rise in the popularity of the watch company Seiko went hand in hand with that of Ginza. Located at the heart of the district, Seiko began as a watch and jewelry shop named after its founder, K. Hattori. A few years into the business, Hattori invested in learning how to make watches, instead of just selling them. The small shop eventually grew into the global company that Seiko is today.
Seiko Museum Ginza stands close to the original location of the shop. It hosts a variety of interesting watch displays, including ancient clocks from both the East and the West as well as clocks in extreme sizes that you won’t see in day-to-day life. There’s also a lot to learn about the history of Seiko, which may be more interesting than you think. You might be surprised at how handsome the founder was, too.
Seiko Museum Ginza
10:30 to 17:30
Official Website
Google Maps
MUJI
This beloved minimalist brand has expanded in several countries before it opened its “global flagship store” in Ginza in 2018. The massive shop includes 5 floors of MUJI products, two restaurants, an atelier, and a hotel stocked with MUJI furniture.
MUJI GINZA
11:00 to 20:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Itoya
If you love stationery, Itoya is the place to go. At more than a hundred years old, it’s the oldest stationery store in Japan, but you can’t really tell from its stylish facade. The main branch in Ginza is divided into two buildings, with one catering to everyday items and the other selling art supplies. You can find both foreign and local brands in the store, and if you’re into art, this shop feels like paradise.
Itoya
10:30 to 19:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Kyukyodo
Founded in Kyoto in 1663, this store specializes in Japanese incense and stationery. Like Itoya, Kyukyodo sells a wide variety of paper products and art tools, but they specialize in Japanese makers. People who are into calligraphy will enjoy their collection of brushes and inks, while casual shoppers will find quality souvenirs that are unmistakably made in Japan.
Kyukyodo
11:00 to 19:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Toyoiwa Inari Shrine
This curious little shrine is tucked in a narrow alley in Ginza and is inconspicuous to most. The shrine is said to bestow luck in love and protection from fire disasters. Its proximity to Kabukiza Theater also makes it a go-to shrine for Kabuki actors and other people in the Japanese entertainment industry. Read more here.
Toyoiwa Inari (豊岩稲荷神社, とよいわ いなり じんじゃ)
Google Maps
Success Jizo
Among the symbols of Ginza, Shusse (Success) Jizo is said to grant prosperity and longevity to those who pray to it. The statue was unearthed somewhere in Ginza 4-chome during the Meiji period and has been worshipped since. Because the actual statue is delicate, it’s placed in a locked shrine that is opened to the public every now and then. A tall, beaming statue was been installed in its place in 1976. This statue has become the main image of Shusse Jizo, and you can find his likeness in sweets and goods at various shops in Ginza.
Ginza Shusse Jizōson (銀座出世地蔵尊)
9F Mitsukoshi Ginza
10:00 to 20:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Hibiya Park
Built in 1903, Hibiya Park was Japan’s first Western-style city park. It’s equipped with large and small concert halls and is often the venue for seasonal festivities. The park is also known for its autumn foliage.
Hibiya Park (Hibiya Kōen, 日比谷公園, ひびや こうえん)
Open 24 hours
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Ginza 456
Telecommunications giant KDDI owns this showroom/exhibit. Consisting of 3 floors, the building has different 5G experiences which visitors can try out. The basement is a dedicated event space with seasonal exhibits that mostly feature interactive digital art.
GINZA 456 Created by KDDI
10:00 to 20:00, Opens at 12:00 on Mondays
Officlal Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Galerie Nichido Tokyo
Founded in 1928, Galerie Nichido was the first gallery to specialize in Western oil paintings. Today, the gallery plays an important role in the art community as the organizer of Showa-kai, an annual contest for emerging artists in Japan.
Galerie Nichido Tokyo (Nichidō Garō Honten, 日動画廊本店, にちどう がろう ほんてん)
11:00 to 17:30, closed on Sundays
Free admission
Official Website
Google Maps
Musee Ginza – Kawasaki Brand Design
This beautiful building was among the casualties of the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 but was rebuilt to preserve its European-style aesthetic. It reopened in 2013 as an art gallery.
Musee Ginza – Kawasaki Brand Design
Friday to Sunday, 13:30 to 15:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Recommended Ginza Restaurants & Cafes
Tir na Nog
Ginza’s Tir na Nog is a concept cafe/bar that draws inspiration from this Irish mythology, as a place where heroes meet the faes. Inside you’ll a dimly-lit room with beautifully-designed interiors, all with a fairy theme. The food and drinks are just as magical, with their signature cocktail drink “Lilly” served with candy floss. If you want an otherworldly experience, this bar doesn’t disappoint.
Tir na Nog (ティル・ナ・ノーグ)
11:00 to 04:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Mercer Brunch Ginza Terrace
Proper French toast, that’s what Mercer Brunch Ginza makes best. Sure, there are other items on the menu, but you’d be missing out if you don’t try their brioche French toast at least once. The restaurant both has indoor and terrace seats, and the latter comes with a lovely view of the city.
Mercer Brunch Ginza Terrace (Māsā Buranchi Ginza Terasu, マーサーブランチ ギンザテラス)
11:00 to 20:00 (opens at 10 on weekends)
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Opus
Located on the topmost floor of The Royal Park Canvas, this Michelin-rated restaurant offers guests modern dining with a terrace view.
Opus
Located in The Royal Park Canvas – Ginza 8
11:30 to 20:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Soba Ore no Dashi
The whole “Ore no…” series of restaurants can be found in Ginza, but this one deserves special mention for its mouthwatering niku soba that comes in hefty servings at an affordable price. The restaurant is standing room only at lunchtime but allows seating at dinnertime.
Soba Ore no Dashi
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
2foods
Get your fill of vegan meals and snacks. 2foods is the lovechild of plant-based company TWO Inc. and Japanese food manufacturing giant Kagome. They serve savory meals like Japanese curry and omurice as well as sweets like donuts and cakes.
2foods Ginza Loft Branch
1F Ginza Loft
11:00 to 21:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
THE CITY BAKERY
Get your fill of delicious pastry! The Ginza branch of the City Bakery accommodates both dine-in and take-out customers. Sockets are available in some seats so you can plug your computer and work away while you enjoy their delicious meals. The hot chocolate is a must-try!
THE CITY BAKERY
Located in: Tokyu Plaza Ginza
08:00 to 22:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Kurogi Chacha
Get your authentic matcha fix at Kurogi Chacha. The tea shop is the result of a collaboration between renowned Japanese cuisine chef Kuroki Jun and Fukujuen, a long-established tea shop in Kyoto. Kurogi Chacha serves a variety of matcha sweets, and among the most popular ones is their Tokiba Shironeri, a luscious green tea dessert made from Uji matcha, Kudzu powder, and cream cheese.
Kurogi Chacha
Located inside Ginza 6
10:30 to 20:30
Ginza 6 Page
Google Maps
Salon de Cafe
Enjoy seasonal fruit parfait and sweets. This cafe has been serving parfaits since 1902 so it knows a thing or two about fruity desserts.
Salon de Cafe Ginza Head Branch (Ginza Honten Saron do Kafe Shiseidō Parā, 銀座本店サロン・ド・カフェ資生堂パラー, ぎんざ ほんてん さろん ど かふぇ しせいどう ぱらあ)
Located inside Shiseido Parlour
11:00 to 20:00, closed on Mondays
Official Website
Google Maps
Ginza Sembikiya
Not to be outdone is the equally historic Sembikiya. The shop first started out as a fruit seller in 1894 and has since transformed into the fruit dessert giant today. You can enjoy a variety of fruit sweets at their shop, including the widely popular fruit parfaits and fruit sandwiches.
Ginza Sembikiya Head Branch (Ginza Sembikiya Ginza Honten Furūtsu Shoppu, 銀座千疋屋 銀座本店フルーツショップ, ぎんざ せんびきや ほんてん ふるうつ しょっぷ)
11:00 to 18:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Ken’s Kissaten
This coffee shop is a hidden gem! The building doesn’t look anything special, but it’s all charm inside. Not only is it quiet and cozy, but the shop also serves decadent sweets with their delicious coffee. Their 3D latte art is a hit among customers, too.
Ken’s Kissaten (Ken’s喫茶店)
11:00 to 20:00, closed on Mondays
Google Maps
Pierre Marcolini
Hailing from Brussels, Pierre Marcolini’s chocolate is a must-try. The store in Ginza has two floors, the first is a shop while the second is a cafe. Eclairs and parfaits are among the items on the menu, and I’ve included their hot chocolate in this video.
Pierre Marcolini Ginza Store (ピエール マルコリーニ 銀座本店, ぎんざ ほんてん)
11:00 to 19:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Ginza Attractions Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Ginza is an upscale neighborhood known for high-end shops and luxury brands. There’s also an abundance of cafes and restaurants, with prices that range from budget-friendly to expensive.
Ginza is as expensive as the items on your shopping list. If you’re there for the luxury brands, then better have your credit card with you. This does not mean, however, that budget-friendly shops are not in the area as you can easily fins stores like Uniqlo and MUJI.
Going out got lunch can cost slightly more than a thousand yen. Sweets tend to cost somewhere between ¥1,000 to ¥3,000. Dinners start at around ¥5,000 per person and progressively cost higher with the restaurant’s fame.
The Kanji characters for Ginza (銀座) mean “silver” and “seat.” Ginza gets its name from the silver-coin mint established in the area in 1612.
