Tokyo/Ginza

The Ginza (銀座) district of Tokyo, literally "Silver Mint", is in the Chuo ward. It is considered the high fashion center of the city and contains many upscale shops and restaurants.

By train
Getting to Ginza is easy - in the heart of the area is Ginza station, connected to the Marunouchi (M16), Ginza (G09), and Hibiya (H08) subway lines. Alternatively you may walk to the area from the JR Shimbashi or Yurakucho stations, Higashi-Ginza station on the Toei Asakusa (A11) or the Ginza Itchome station on the Yurakucho (Y19) subway line.

Connections from Narita Airport can be made either by taking the Keisei line to Ueno, then changing to the Ginza line (¥2,080 and 80 minutes via Keisei's reserved Skyliner service, or ¥1,160 and about 100 minutes via their limited express commuter service), or by JR's Narita Express to Tokyo Station and then the Marunouchi subway (¥2,900, 80 minutes). Both airport services offer numerous additional connections if your destination is closer to another station. Domestic passengers flying into Haneda Airport have it easier - Keikyu trains travel directly from the airport to the Asakusa line's Higashi-Ginza station (¥650, 30 minutes).

By bus
Airport Limousine Buses run from the airport to major hotels in Ginza, taking 80–90 minutes under normal highway traffic and costing ¥3000.

See

 * The side streets of Ginza are full of art galleries featuring paintings, photography, and graphic design. The Nichido Garo (日動画廊) near the B9 exit of the Metro Ginza line is one of the most famous, often frequented by collectors from Europe and the United States.
 * During Christmas, Ginza's streets are illuminated. 126 trees in Ginzanamiki street are decorated with 75 thousand light bulbs, and 76 trees in Hanatsubaki street are decorated 35 thousand light bulbs which are made in the shape of stars. The illuminations are turned on on November 15.
 * The side streets of Ginza are full of art galleries featuring paintings, photography, and graphic design. The Nichido Garo (日動画廊) near the B9 exit of the Metro Ginza line is one of the most famous, often frequented by collectors from Europe and the United States.
 * During Christmas, Ginza's streets are illuminated. 126 trees in Ginzanamiki street are decorated with 75 thousand light bulbs, and 76 trees in Hanatsubaki street are decorated 35 thousand light bulbs which are made in the shape of stars. The illuminations are turned on on November 15.
 * During Christmas, Ginza's streets are illuminated. 126 trees in Ginzanamiki street are decorated with 75 thousand light bulbs, and 76 trees in Hanatsubaki street are decorated 35 thousand light bulbs which are made in the shape of stars. The illuminations are turned on on November 15.

Do


Weekends on are Pedestrians' Paradise (歩行者天国), with the street closed to motor traffic during the day. You can catch street music (nothing too loud) and performance, hawkers selling magical puppets which dance without strings, and thousands of other people to bump into.


 * Movie theaters are plentiful in the Ginza-Yurakucho area, and as many of them are quite old, they're spacious as well.
 * Movie theaters are plentiful in the Ginza-Yurakucho area, and as many of them are quite old, they're spacious as well.

Buy
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 have stores as well, as do most other fashion brands you can think of.


 * For state of art leather bags fit for the imperial family, try Tanizawa (銀座タニザワ) down the same avenue.
 * There are many famous brand shops in Namiki street, such as Gucci or Coach. If you are low on cash, you can enjoy just looking around the street.
 * Yurakuchō has branches of two large discount electronics stores, Bic Camera and Sofmap. The former, right next to the Yamanote tracks, is housed in what was until 2001 the famous Sogo department store, which in 1958 spawned a popular hit song, "Yurakuchō de Aimashō" ("Let's Meet at Yurakuchō"). The big red building housing the latter used to be a theater for the renowned all-female Takarazuka Revue.
 * For state of art leather bags fit for the imperial family, try Tanizawa (銀座タニザワ) down the same avenue.
 * There are many famous brand shops in Namiki street, such as Gucci or Coach. If you are low on cash, you can enjoy just looking around the street.
 * Yurakuchō has branches of two large discount electronics stores, Bic Camera and Sofmap. The former, right next to the Yamanote tracks, is housed in what was until 2001 the famous Sogo department store, which in 1958 spawned a popular hit song, "Yurakuchō de Aimashō" ("Let's Meet at Yurakuchō"). The big red building housing the latter used to be a theater for the renowned all-female Takarazuka Revue.

Eat


Melon-pan (メロンパン meronpan), a fluffy sweet bun with a thick, cookie-like cross-hatched crust, was invented at the nearby Imperial Hotel and is now considered a Ginza icon, with Hotel Okura and Hotel Seiyou famous for their versions. The name comes from the appearance, and the original recipe had no melon at all, but it's often melon-flavored these days and shops like Kimuraya sell melon-pan in special flavors such as coffee or orange.

Budget

 * Several cheap restaurants can be found in the alleys northwest of the main intersection (Ginza Yon-chome). They may be difficult to find as they usually have a plain entrance or they are located in an alley between buildings.
 * Several cheap restaurants can be found in the alleys northwest of the main intersection (Ginza Yon-chome). They may be difficult to find as they usually have a plain entrance or they are located in an alley between buildings.

Walk along the sides of the Ginza station and around, there are many cheap places to eat and small places have vending machines and are happy to give you English menus and help out with the vending machine- you just have to ask. They are good places to eat and offer good variety. ¥350-900 for a good curry or bowl of ramen. Look for the little curtains and the sound of cooking!

Mid-range

 * Ginza is also within walking distance of Yurakucho (for izakaya and cheap Western restaurants) and Tsukiji (for top-grade sushi).
 * Ginza is also within walking distance of Yurakucho (for izakaya and cheap Western restaurants) and Tsukiji (for top-grade sushi).
 * Ginza is also within walking distance of Yurakucho (for izakaya and cheap Western restaurants) and Tsukiji (for top-grade sushi).
 * Ginza is also within walking distance of Yurakucho (for izakaya and cheap Western restaurants) and Tsukiji (for top-grade sushi).

Splurge
Ginza hosts many of Japan's most exclusive (and expensive) ryotei, many of which require not just reservations but introductions before they'll grant you the privilege of paying up to ¥50,000 per person (excluding drinks) for your meal. The following options are somewhat more down to earth and at the very least accept reservations from the general public, provided you have the funds to pay for the meal.



There is another restaurant in Ginza that may stand in a class of its own:

Sleep
Accommodation in Ginza itself is limited and expensive. You can shave a fair bit off the price by heading around the corner to Shinbashi, which is a major train hub and has lots of serviceable mid-range and capsule hotels.

Go next

 * Tokyo Station - the Marunouchi and Yaesu districts around Tokyo Station are a 20-minute walk north of Ginza's center
 * Yurakucho - west of Ginza, this area houses a mix of commercial and reasonable shopping compared to Ginza's high end areas
 * Hama-Rikyu Detached Palace Garden - south of the Ginza, these former Imperial pleasure gardens are an oasis of tranquility in a hectic city. Here you can catch a tour boat which will take you up the Samida River to Asakusa. From the river, much of the Tokyo skyline is visible.
 * Tsukiji - south-east of Ginza, this area is famous for the "outer market" of former wholesale fish market.
 * Hibiya Park - just west of Ginza past the Sony Building and elevated highway, this park contains many different European styles. In May/June, the azaleas are in bloom.
 * Imperial Palace - just north of Hibiya Park, making it an easy walk from Ginza. Enjoy the open parks and venture a little into the public park area.