Ginza, located in Chuo City, Tokyo, is one of the most popular shopping districts in Tokyo, visited by many people from Japan and abroad.
Incidentally, in Japan, shopping, dining, and strolling in Ginza is called “Gin-bura”.
Ginza is home to luxury brand stores and high-end department stores, and is known as one of the world’s leading luxury brand districts.
UNIQLO Ginza
On the other hand, there are also common and unique stores such as the world’s largest flagship store with all 12 floors devoted to UNIQLO, the flagship store of MUJI, whose simply designed daily goods and clothing are popular and have a strong following in Japan and abroad. And Itoya, one of the largest stationery specialty stores in Japan.
Pedestrian paradise at Ginza
At Ginza Chuo-dori Street, the main street of Ginza, there will be a pedestrian paradise on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, allowing visitors to walk along the roadway.
The hours of the pedestrian paradise are as follows.
Hours of operation
October-March: 12:00-17:00
April-September: 12:00-18:00
Origin of Ginza
The name Ginza comes from the silver coin mint that was located there during the Edo period (1603-1868).
At that time, Ginza was mainly a town where artisans lived, but at the same time, kimono stores (stores selling Japanese kimonos and belt called “obi”) lined the streets, making it a bustling place.
Later, during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), Japan’s first railroad was opened at Shimbashi. And Ginza, located near Shimbashi Station, became a shopping district where stores dealing with imported goods from the West and new products increased one after another, becoming a town where cutting-edge goods and merchants gathered.
Ginza thus developed as a place to enjoy the view of the Western-style streetscape itself and to enjoy shopping.
Typical spots in Ginza
Here are some representative spots.
Ginza Chuo-dori Street
Ginza Chuo-dori, the main street of Ginza, is lined with many long-established department stores, luxury brand stores.
Seiko House Ginza (Wako)
Located at the 4-Chome intersection in the heart of Ginza, Seiko House Ginza (Wako) is a leading commercial facility in Ginza with a clock tower as its symbol.
Wako is a wholly owned subsidiary of Seiko Holdings Corporation, the same company behind Seiko Watch Corporation.
Address: 4 Chome-5-11 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
Ginza Mitsukoshi
Like Seiko House Ginza, Ginza Mitsukoshi is a long-established department store located at the Ginza 4-chome intersection. Ginza Mitsukoshi opened as a kimono store in the Edo period (1603-1868) and was the first department store in Japan with a history of over 350 years.
The rooftop garden is a resting spot with lawn area, shrine, chairs and tables.
Address: 4 Chome-6-16 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-8212
GINZA SIX
GINZA SIX is the largest commercial facility in the Ginza area opened in 2017.GINZA SIX offers shopping and dining, as well as a one-stop Tourist Service Center with various functions such as tourist information, ticketing, foreign currency exchange, duty free, and souvenirs.
The rooftop of GINZA SIX is a vast corridor-style garden, from which you can view the buildings of Ginza from above.
Address: 6 Chome-10-1 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
Tokyu Plaza Ginza
Tokyu Plaza Ginza is a commercial facility with a distinctive exterior featuring the motif of Edo faceting, a traditional Japanese craft. The rooftop garden is lined with benches, sofas, and tables, and is recommended as a place to take a break after Gin-bura.
Rooftop garden
Address: 5 Chome-2-1 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
Itoya Ginza
Itoya is the oldest stationery store in Japan and also one of the largest stationery specialty stores in Japan. Located from the first basement floor to the 12th floor, Ito-Ya has a very large selection of stationery, and you are sure to find your favorite stationery.
Address: 2 Chome-7-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
Kabuki-za
A theater dedicated to Kabuki, one of Japan’s traditional performing arts. In addition to watching kabuki performances, the Kabuki-za Theater also has a souvenir shop in the basement of the building, where you can buy Japanese souvenirs and enjoy gourmet foods.
Address: 4 Chome-12-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
INFORMATION
NAME
Ginza (銀座)
ADDRESS
Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
ACCESS
Next to Ginza Station.
1 minute walk Ginza-itchome Station.
3 minute walk from Higashi-ginza Station.
5 minute walk from Yurakucho Station.
STATION INFO
(Tokyo Metro) Ginza Station
Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line, Hibiya Line
(Tokyo Metro) Higashi-ginza Station
Hibiya Line
(Tokyo Metro) Ginza-itchome Station
Yurakucho Line
(JR) Yurakucho Station
Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line
LINK