Overview
The clock tower above Wako marks the central crossroads of Ginza, one of Tokyo's main shopping districts. Department stores line Chuo-dori, the avenue through the neighborhood, while smaller boutiques and bistros fill the side streets. Kabukiza theater stands a few blocks east.
Much of Ginza is easy to explore on foot. Browse the main avenue, stop at a department-store food hall, then continue to a gallery or performance. Staying nearby keeps these outings close to your hotel, with subway routes available for days elsewhere in Tokyo.
Shopping and food
Ginza Mitsukoshi stands at the central crossing near Wako. Its basement food halls sell sweets and prepared foods to take away, while the restaurants on the 11th and 12th floors provide sit-down options. The backstreets offer something different, from small sushi counters to bistros. If you have a particular restaurant in mind, especially a small sushi restaurant, book ahead.
Farther south along Chuo-dori, Ginza Six combines shops and restaurants with a public rooftop garden covering about 4,000 square meters. You can take a break outdoors without leaving the complex.
Kabukiza and galleries
Kabukiza is the district's main theater, with programs changing throughout the year. A full show takes several hours, but single-act tickets let you watch part of a program without setting aside that much time. Check the running time and ticket arrangements for the act you want to see. English caption devices are available to rent, although the service may not be offered for very short acts.
In southern Ginza, ginza graphic gallery specializes in graphic design. Its changing exhibitions explore the work of Japanese and international designers. The gallery closes on Sundays, national holidays, and between exhibitions.
Walking the main avenue
On Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, Chuo-dori closes to vehicles between Ginza 1-chome and 8-chome. Pedestrian hours run from noon to 6 p.m. between April and September, and from noon to 5 p.m. between October and March. Bad weather can cancel the closure.
The open roadway gives pedestrians more room to browse the main shopping street, but the closure applies only to Chuo-dori, not every surrounding street. To combine the pedestrian zone with ginza graphic gallery, choose a Saturday that isn't a national holiday and check the exhibition dates.
Stations and local travel
Ginza Station serves the central shopping streets on the Tokyo Metro Ginza, Marunouchi, and Hibiya lines. Tokyo Station is one stop away on the Marunouchi Line, which also runs directly to Shinjuku in the opposite direction. Take the Hibiya Line for Roppongi.
Other stations serve different parts of the neighborhood. Ginza-itchome on the Yurakucho Line is near the northern shopping streets, while Higashi-Ginza on the Hibiya and Toei Asakusa lines is beside Kabukiza. On the western side, JR Yurakucho Station provides Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku trains. You don't need to return to Ginza Station for every journey.
Airport trains and choosing a hotel
Selected Toei Asakusa Line services from Higashi-Ginza continue to Haneda Airport via Keikyu or Narita Airport via Keisei. These trains allow an airport journey without a change, but not every departure goes to an airport, so check the destination before boarding. Ginza Station itself isn't on the Asakusa Line.
For a hotel farther north around Kyobashi Station (Tokyo), the nearest subway entrance may be at Kyobashi or nearby Takaracho rather than Ginza. Takaracho also serves the Asakusa Line. Compare the hotel's entrance with the station you'll use most. For an early Shinkansen departure, the walk to Tokyo Station may matter more than being close to Ginza's central shops.
