Ginza (銀座) is a district of the city of Tokyo which is part of the district of Chūō.
To know
It is considered the high fashion center of the city and is home to many luxury shops and restaurants.
During the Christmas period, the streets of Ginza are illuminated. 126 trees in Ginzanamiki street are decorated with 75 thousand light bulbs, and 76 trees in Hanatsubaki street are decorated with 35 thousand star-shaped light bulbs. The lights are turned on on November 15th.
Background
Ginza's name comes from gin (silver), as the mint of silver minting was established in this area in 1612, during the Edo Period (Japan had three coin minting systems based on the material).
The modern Ginza was built in 1872 when, following a devastating fire, the district was rebuilt from some Georgian-style buildings designed by the Irish architect Thomas Waters, along the commercial promenade on the road from the Sinibashi bridge to the Kyōbashi bridge in the southwestern part of the special district of Chūō. Most of these European-style buildings have disappeared, but some of the older buildings are still present, such as the building that houses the headquarters of the Wakō (和) department store and the adjoining clock tower.
Ginza is a popular weekend destination when the main north-south thoroughfare is closed to traffic.
How to orient yourself
Ginza: full screen map.How to get
By plane
Connections from Narita Airport can be made by taking the Keisei Line to Ueno, then changing for the line 
(¥ 2,080 and 80 minutes via Keisei's reserved Skyliner service, or ¥ 1,160 and approximately 100 minutes via the limited express commuter service), or from the JR Narita Express to Tokyo Station and then subway 
(¥ 2,900, 80 minutes). Both airport services offer numerous additional connections if a destination is closer to another station.
Domestic passengers flying from Haneda Airport do it more easily: Keikyu trains travel directly from the airport to the Asakusa Line Higashi-Ginza Station (¥ 650, 30 minutes).
By subway
- 1 Ginza Station (銀座 駅 Ginza-eki). Along the lines
By bus
Airport limousine buses run from the airport to major Ginza hotels, take 80-90 minutes on normal highway traffic, and cost ¥ 3000.
How to get around
- 2 Ginza-itchōme station. Line
- 3 Higashi-Ginza Station. On the lines
What see
- 1 San-ai Building (at the intersection of Chuo-dori and Harumi-dori). The heart of Ginza is dominated by the glass cylinder of this building. With its huge neon sign, it has been Ginza's image on postcards and travel books for decades. The other corners are occupied by Wako and Mitsukoshi, two of the most prestigious department stores (the former is a cut above), and the Nissan Gallery, which showcases new and classic cars
- 2 Sony building, 5-3-1 Ginza (At the Sukiyabashi intersection). The Sony Showroom has four floors with the latest Sony products, with a small shop on the 3rd floor. The building also houses a BMW showroom.
- 3 Nakagin Capsule Tower (中 銀 カ プ セ ル タ ワ ー ビ ル), 中央 区 銀座 8 丁目 16−10 (From Shinbashi or Shidome station, take the underpass and exit at exit 5. Walk 150 meters until you reach a road with a highway on it. The building is across the street, a little to the right.), ☎ 81 3-3542-1813. A famous building by Kisho Kurokawa, reflecting Japanese views of the future in the 1970s. Plans to tear it down have been around since 2008 but the building is still there!
The side streets of Ginza are filled with art galleries with paintings, photographs and graphics.
- 4 Galerie Nichido (日 動 画廊), 5 Chome-3-16 Ginza, Chūō-ku (near exit B9 of the Ginza Metro line), ☎ 81 3-3571-2553. It is one of the most famous galleries, often frequented by collectors from Europe is United States.
- 5 Leica Ginza salon, Ginza, 6 Chome − 4, 銀座 ６−４−１, 東海 堂 銀座 ビ ル 1F, ☎ 81 3-6215-7070.
Free. 
Tue-Sun 11: 00-19: 00. A photo gallery that exhibits works by emerging photographers.
Free. 
Tue-Sun 11: 00-19: 00. A photo gallery that exhibits works by emerging photographers.What to do
- 1 Kabuki-za Theater (歌舞 伎 座 Kabukiza), 4-12-15 Ginza (Near the corner of Showa-dori and Harumi-dori. Underground passage from the Higashi-Ginza station of the Asakusa and Hibiya subway lines.), ☎ 81 3-3541-3131. 4.000¥–20.000¥. The best way to see traditional Japanese theater is to go to Kabuki-za for a single act, or hitomaku-mi , which lasts from one to two hours. This costs around ¥ 800, depending on the length, sitting on the fourth floor. An audio guide in English describes the acting as you watch, worth the ¥ 700. You can also see the complete kabuki opera, but this is long, and ticket prices can range from ¥ 4000 to ¥ 20,000. You can bring a "bento" to one of the local shops. The current Kabukiza Theater opened its doors in 2013, replacing the previous building which was in operation from 1950 to 2010.
- 2 Ginza Blossom (銀座 ブ ロ ッ サ ム), Ginza 2-15-6, ☎ 81 3-3542-8585. The cost varies according to the event and seats. This theater hosts a variety of different events. See the website for a partial list.
- 3 Stroll around Chuo Dori on weekends. Weekends on Chuo-dori are "Pedestrians' Paradise" (歩 行者 天国), with the road closed to car traffic during the day. You can see street music and some performances, street vendors sell magic puppets that dance without strings, and thousands of other people out and about.
Shopping
Ginza is the home of Tokyo's oldest and most prestigious department stores; the most exclusive is probably Wako. And of course Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel and Prada also have stores, like most other fashion brands you can imagine.
- 1 Wako. The most famous shop of this retailer, commonly known as "Ginza Wako". Opened in 1881.
- 2 Tōkyō Kyūkyodō (東京 鳩 居 堂), 5 Chome-7-４ Ginza, Chūō-ku (across the street from Wako and its famous clock tower on Ginza's main intersection), ☎ 81 3-3571-4429. Mon-Sun 10 am-7pm. This two-story shop specializes in traditional Japanese equipment (papers, fans, calligraphy brushes, votive perfumes, etc.). A popular stop for foreigners looking for something exotic and genuine.
- 3 Itōya (伊 東 屋), 2 Chome-7-15 Ginza, Chūō-ku, ☎ 81 3-3561-8311. Next to the huge Matsuya department store, which is next to the huge Mitsukoshi department store (both prestigious and expensive), which itself is across the street from Wako. A 9-story building crammed with stationery, from pencils to brushes, the name. Not exactly cheap considering its location and prestige, but in Japan it's hard to find a stationery store with a collection of this size.
- 4 Tanizawa (銀座), Chūō-ku, Ginza, 1 Chome − 7−６. 10:30-19:30. For leather bags suitable for the imperial family.
- 5 Hakuhinkan Toy Park (博 品 館), Ginza 8-8-11 (at the south end of Ginza-dori from the elevated road), ☎ 81 3-3571-8008. 11:00-20:00. One of the oldest and largest toy stores in Japan (first opened in 1899), this is the place to go for all the latest cute and weird toys.
- 6 Apple Store Ginza, Chūō-ku, Ginza, 3 Chome − 5−12, サ ヱ グ サ ビ ル 本館 (Corner of Chuo-dori and Matsuya-dori), ☎ 81 3-5159-8200. Mon-Sun 10 am-9pm. The ultimate in high-tech elegance. Easily recognizable by its ultra-modern exterior in stainless steel panels.
- 7 Tenshōdō (天 賞 堂), Ginza 4-3-9 (on Harumi-dōri), ☎ 81 3-3562-0025. Fri-Wed 11: 00-21: 30. Jeweler and manufacturer of luxury watches. The upper floors, on the other hand, are dedicated to model trains, many of which match clocks in complexity and price.
- 8 Mikimoto, 4 Chome-5-５ Ginza, Chūō-ku, ☎ 81 3-3535-4611. 11:00-19:00. The inventors of cultured pearls, has its inaugural shop located right next to Wako.
- 9 Morioka Shoten (森岡 書店). A small bookstore on a quiet street is unique and weird as it only sells one book which changes every week. Sometimes the authors of the featured book come to discuss it.
- 10 Uniqlo Ginza, 6 Chome-9-5 Ginza, ☎ 81 3-6252-5181. Mon-Sun 11: 00-21: 00. Japan's leading low-cost clothing chain, the Ginza store is the largest in the city.
How to have fun
Cinemas are plentiful in the Ginza-Yurakucho area, and as many of them are quite old, they're also spacious. A curiosity is the Ginza Cine Pathos, a group of small cinemas built in a tunnel under Harumi-dori. The movies are famous from Hollywood and Japanese, but it's worth a look just to see the crammed bars and restaurants.
- 1 Three Hundred Bar, 1 Chome-2-１４ Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda-ku, ☎ 81 3-3593-8300. Drinks at 315 yen. Mon-Sun 12: 00-02: 00.
Where to eat
The melon-pan, a circular bun topped with sweet melon, was popular throughout Japan for several years. Its name derives from the English "melon" and the Portuguese "pan" (bread), and is pronounced "meronpan" by the Japanese. Most of the surface of the melon is of a toasted texture, and it resembles an inverted melon in its skin. Ginza is known as the birthplace of melon-pan, even if the veracity of the story is uncertain. The bread of the Hotel Okura and the Hotel Seiyou has become very famous recently.
Moderate prices
Several inexpensive restaurants can be found in the alleys northwest of the main intersection (Ginza Yon-Chome). They can be difficult to find as they usually have a simple entrance or are located in an alley between buildings.
Walk along the sides of Ginza station and around, there are many cheap places to eat and small places have vending machines and are happy to give you a menu in English and help out with the vending machine - you just have to ask. They are good places to eat and offer a good variety around 350-900 yen for a good curry or a bowl of ramen. Look for the little curtains and the noise from the kitchen!
- 1 Ginza Kimuraya, Chūō-ku, Ginza, 4 Chome − 6−１６, 銀座 三越 地下 2 階, ☎ 81 3-3535-9677. Mon-Sun 10: 30-20: 00. Here we sell the melon-pan with special flavors such as coffee or orange.
- 2 Yoshinoya, 3 Chome-5-５ Ginza, Chūō-ku (It is located north of the Chuo-dori Apple Store), ☎ 81 3-3567-2993. Mon-Sun 08: 00-23: 00. A national chain of restaurants with bowl of rice.
- 3 Le Cafe Doutor, San-ai Bldg 1F, Ginza 5-7, ☎ 81 3-5537-8959. 07:30-23:00. Located in the famous San-ai building, this expensive café is very popular for "people watching". Unfortunately, the view from the patio is blocked by the police house, but it's still great. Or go up to the second floor and look for a seat by the window. Doutor also has various stores along Chuo-dori and is one of the largest chains in Tokyo. Mind you, the price of coffee in this particular place is a bit inflated compared to the Doutor outlets in other places.
- 4 Ginza Cafe Paulista, Nagasaki Center Bldg 1st floor, Ginza 8-9, ☎ 81 3-3572-6160. One of Japan's oldest cafes and a favorite of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Paulista opened in 1909 with beans imported directly from Santos, Brazil.
- 5 Happy Plaza, San-ai Building, Ginza 5-7 (On the 9th floor in the cylinder of the San-ai building). The full location with floor-to-ceiling windows offers stunning views of Chuo-dori and the Wako and Mitsukoshi shops opposite. In addition to the usual cakes and drinks, a light meal is also available during lunch hours.
Average prices
- 6 Nair's, Ginza 4-10-7, ☎ 81 3 3541-8246. Wed-Mon 11: 30-21: 30. One of the oldest Indian restaurants in Japan, founded in 1949. Murghee lunch is a favorite, sit back and let the waiter cut the chicken for you on your plate.
- 7 Nataraj, Chūō-ku, Ginza, 6 Chome − 9, 銀座 ６ 丁目 ９−４ 銀座 小 坂 ビ ル 7 ～ 9th floor (1 min from Ginza station exit A2), ☎ 81 3-5537-1515. Mon-Sun 11: 30-23: 00. A fantastic Indian vegetarian restaurant in the middle of Ginza, offering an excellent buffet lunch for ¥ 1050 and beautiful decor.
High prices
Ginza is home to many gods ryotei Japan's most exclusive (and expensive), many of which require not just reservations but introductions before being granted the privilege of paying up to ¥ 50,000 per person (excluding drinks) for your meal. The following options are a little more down to earth and at the very least accept the reservations of the general public, provided you have the funds to pay for the meal.
- 8 Chikuyōtei (竹葉 亭), Ginza 8-14-7 (Higashi-Ginza station), ☎ 81 3-3542-0789. The original shop of the most famous restaurant chain unagi (eel) of Japan, which serves the tasty kabayaki (grilled eel with gravy) since 1876. Full dishes start at ¥ 7,350 (reservations required), but a simple dish with soup is ¥ 2,625 an almost reasonable price.
- 9 Ginza Shiseido Parlor, Shiseido Bldg 4th-5th floor, Ginza 8-8-3, ☎ 81 3-5537-6241. Run by cosmetics giant Shiseido, the Parlor (founded in 1902) is one of the poshest places to dine. Lunch specials go for ¥ 4,000, but the most famous item on the menu is the lobster and abalone curry for ¥ 10,000.
- 10 Sushi Kanesaka (鮨 か ね さ か), floor B1 Misuzu Bldg, 8-10-3 Ginza Chuou-ku, ☎ 81 3 5568-4411. ¥ 5,000 (lunch), ¥ 20,000 (dinner). The main branch of one of Japan's best sushi restaurants with two Michelin stars, with another branch at the Palace Hotel and two outposts in Singapore. Sushi is made fresh for you at the counter as you watch. It is not allowed to order dishes individually and the chef would select what he believes are the best seasonal ingredients for customers. The restaurant is very small with limited seating, so reservations are essential well in advance. English is only spoken by the head chef.
- 11 Sukiyabashi Jiro (す き や ば し 次郎), Tsukamoto Sogyo Building 1st floor, 2-15, Ginza 4-chome, ☎ 81 3 3535-3600. ¥30.000. This three-star Michelin restaurant and its owner / chef, Jiro Ono, were immortalized in the 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The highly expensive meal is alone omakase - Jiro himself selects the 20 pieces of nigiri every day based on the catch from Tsukiji fish market. It is not expected to use soy sauce, as many pieces have already been brushed with it. The restaurant has only ten seats and due to its popularity, advance reservations are required by telephone in Japanese. While reservations open on the first day of each month for the next month's seats, they almost always sell out on the same day. Reservations through a concierge (hotel, American Express, etc.) can be the best way for foreign visitors to secure a seat.
Where stay
Accommodation in Ginza is limited and expensive. It can also occur a little in Shimbashi, which is a major rail hub and has many mid-range hotels and very functional capsules.
Moderate prices
- 1 Ginza Kokusai Hotel, 8-7-13 Ginza Chuo-ku (Use the JR Yamanote Line and the Ginza Subway Line, a 3 to 4 minute walk from Shimbashi Station), ☎ 81 3-3574-1121, fax: 81 3-3289-0478. Check in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00.
Average prices
- 2 Monterey Ginza hotels, 2-10-2 Ginza, ☎ 81 3-3544-7111. This hotel, owned by a Japanese entrepreneur, caters to women. Located in the heart of the Ginza district, the Monterey offers comfortable rooms and a friendly reception staff. Across the street is one of the many grocery stores where a traveler can purchase necessary items 24 hours a day.
High prices
- 3 Mercure Hotel Ginza, 2-9-4 Ginza (3 minutes walk from the famous Luis Vuitton boutique on Ginza street), ☎ 81 3-43351111. around ¥ 12,000 per night. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Modern 4-star hotel from the Mercure chain. Even though the rooms are quite small, the price in this area cannot be beat.
