Beginner's guide on where to stay, eat, and shop in Ginza, Tokyo

Ginza, Tokyo’s upscale shopping and dining district needs no introduction—but we’re still doing it anyway for those that don’t know. This dazzling district presents a captivating fusion of modern luxury and traditional charm, celebrated for its high-end boutiques, flagship stores, and vibrant culinary scene. Travelers can select from a diverse array of accommodations, ranging from charming inns to luxurious hotels, each reflecting the essence of Japanese culture and hospitality. With its bustling streets and elegant atmosphere, Ginza perfectly encapsulates the dynamic spirit of Tokyo.

If it’s your first time in this district, don’t worry. We’ve curated a guide on where to stay, eat, and shop in this iconic neighbourhood.

Where to stay The Tokyo Edition, Ginza

A quick Google search of ‘where to stay in Ginza’ will bring you a long, unfiltered list of both big and small, old and new hotels. However, here’s one that might pique your interest—perhaps even your luxurious tastes! Introducing the newest kid on the block: The Tokyo Edition, Ginza. You might recognise the name from its first location at Toranomon Hills. This is their second outlet, which just opened early this year.

This 5-star hotel is conveniently situated just off Chuo Street, providing easy access to nearby luxury boutiques, entertainment destinations, and Michelin-starred restaurants. The hotel features 86 luxurious guest rooms, including 10 elegantly appointed suites. If you’d like to rest your tired feet and stay in,  you have some fantastic dining options right at the hotel. You can unwind at the Lobby Bar for a relaxed atmosphere, or check out the Punch Room, Japan’s first punch-focused cocktail bar, for a unique drink experience. For something more substantial, Sophie at Edition is a modern brasserie that offers all-day dining with a diverse menu. If you’re in the mood for stunning views, the rooftop bar provides uninterrupted sights of the iconic Tokyo Tower—perfect for a memorable evening. 

Address: 2-8-13 Ginza,Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 104-0061

Contact: +813 6228 7400

Website | Instagram

Where to shop

Where do we even begin? Ginza is home to hundreds of shops, featuring a fantastic selection of local, international, and luxury brands. The offerings go beyond clothing, encompassing accessories, lifestyle items, stationery, and so much more. There’s truly no end to the shopping possibilities here, and it’s a good thing! First up, standing tall in all its glory is the iconic 12-floor Uniqlo flagship store, a sight you’ve likely come across plenty of times on socials. Also located in this district is the world’s largest Muji store, spanning 10 floors filled with food, stationery, clothing, and lifestyle items, with the highest floor being the hotel.

As if that’s not enough, Ginza boasts the only Onitsuka store in Japan that has a dedicated Mexico 99 floor. Here, you can even customise your Mexico 99 sneakers with your favourite initials, adding a personal touch to your new purchase. Not to be confused with another Onitsuka Tiger specialty store that only exclusively focuses on yellow collection line. ⁡Stationary-collectors? Head over to Loft, or the iconic and century-old Itoya for all your crafting needs. It’s 12 floors of all arts and crafts, so go all out here!

Luxury shopping? It’s truly limitless in Ginza. The streets are lined with high-end boutiques like Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Chopard, Dior, Prada, Bulgari, and Grand Seiko—everything you could possibly desire from the luxury world. Additionally, you’ll find Tasaki’s flagship store, showcasing Japan’s exquisite pearls, jewellery, and craftsmanship.

Ginza truly lives up to the phrase “shop till you drop.” And the best part? All the places mentioned are within walking distance, making it so easy to explore.

Where to eat Sophie at Edition

A humble modern brasserie, Sophie at EDITION celebrates Japan’s plentiful seasonal ingredients and rich culinary heritage within a contemporary brasserie setting. On the menus, from morning to lunch and dinner, you’ll find names that are quite familiar but localised, as the ingredients are sourced from small regional farms. For example, there’s the Aomori Duck Confit, served with a Tokyo kale salad, chilli mustard, and aligot. Another highlight is the Tokyo Burrata Caprese, featuring dried tomatoes, pistachios, and a Tokyo Black Vinegar reduction. Our recommendation? It may sound simple, but the Beef & Potato Casserole was our absolute favourite. With its Wagyu ragout, creamy mashed potatoes, and Gruyère cheese crust, it offered generous portions of Wagyu that practically melted in your mouth. The rich combination of potato and cheese was truly delightful.

Address: 2-8-13 Ginza,Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, Japan 

Contact: +81 3 6228 7400

Website | Instagram

Ginza Bairin

This hidden local gem has gone viral on social media for a reason. Ginza Bairin specialises in a Tonkatsu-only menu, offering various types of meat like Kurobuta (Berkshire pork) cutlets and shrimp. Although there isn’t much information online, our personal experience confirms it’s the best tonkatsu we’ve ever tasted. The coating is fried to perfection—crispy and fluffy without any greasy aftertaste, while the meat remains tender and moist. It’s truly a must-try! Of course, anything that goes viral on social media tends to attract a crowd. We recommend arriving right when it opens to avoid long wait times.

Address: B1, 7 Chome-8-1 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan

Opening hours: 11.30am to 8pm (daily)

Contact: +81 3 3571 0350

Age.3

Another social media sensation, Age.3 serves one of the simplest—and likely one of the most affordable—meals in the area: a fried sandwich filled with cream. It’s so straightforward that it left us wondering, “Why can’t we make this at home?” Located in a cosy spot, Age.3 operates as a takeaway only, with no indoor dining available. What you’ll find on the menu is a good list of both sweet and savoury options. Prices start at just JP¥100 (approximately RM3) for one sandwich, with the cost increasing based on your choice of toppings. It’s a charming spot for a quick pick-me-up!

Address: 1F Sugiura Building, Chome-24-11 Ginza, Chuo City,  Tokyo 104-0061, Japan

Opening hours: 11am to 7pm (daily)

Contact: +81 50 5448 3765

Website | Instagram

Other notable mentions include Ginza Akebono, a Japanese confectionery store that sells sweet treats including fruit mochis, which is their top-seller! Chukasoba Ginza Hachigou, one of Tokyo’s three Michelin-star ramen restaurants, serves the best Chinese-type soba in its signature broth that has both Eastern and Western flavours due to the chef’s past experiences in French cuisine. The broth is much lighter yet still full of flavour when compared to the typical pork-heavy Tonkatsu broths. You can also find Godaime Hanayama Udon, which specializes in extra-wide flat udon, and Gyoza Hohei for late-night dumplings, among many other options. There’s so much to try, but sadly not enough tummy space!

Where to visit

One of the highlights of being in Tokyo is the convenience of its train stations, which are often just a short walk away. Major districts like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Toranomon Hills are only a few stations apart, making it easy to explore the city. However, there’s one exceptionally popular attraction that’s just a short walk from the Ginza neighbourhood.

Tsukiji Fish Market

We’re sure you’ve heard of the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, where visitors would arrive early in the morning in hopes of snagging the freshest seafood in Tokyo. As overrated as it seems, located within its alleys are still good, not-so-touristy meals that you’re able to score if you dive deep enough. The market also offers plenty of bite-sized snacks for those who aren’t in the mood for a big meal, or just want a bit of everything. Our suggestions? Start your morning with tamagoyaki from Shouro, which costs just 100 yen! Next, enjoy soft, pillowy strawberry mochi at Soraksuki. Have something savoury by indulging in grilled eels on sticks at Tsukiji Eel Eatery. Then, wash it all down with one of the best matcha lattes in Ginza at Matcha Stand Maruni.

There’s really more to discover and we’ve only just scratched the surface. Stay tuned for part two, maybe?

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Photo by mos design on Unsplash

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