Ginza: 20 Unusual Things to Do in Tokyo's Posh District

Ginza: So Much More than Tokyo's Luxury Shopping District!

Kabukiza Theater. Photo by Pixta

Built upon a former swampland, Tokyo's Ginza was named for the old Japanese silver mint that stood in this area in the 1600s. Now Ginza is known around the world as a luxury brand shopping haven, and throngs of visitors come here every day looking for the very best in both Western and Japanese fashions, home goods, and beauty items.

It's also where you will find Kabukiza, the famous Kabuki theater that has existed on this site for over 120 years. While there are plenty of famous spots to see and shop at in Ginza, there are also some lesser known things to do that you shouldn't miss out on here either.

20 Things to Do in Ginza

1. Central Ginza: Appreciate the Architecture
2. GINZA SIX: A Microcosm of Ginza and Its Charms
3. Art Aquarium Ginza: Enter a Surreal World of Glittering Goldfish
4. Kabukiza Gallery: Get a Behind-the-Scenes View of the World of Kabuki
5. Edo Kiriko Glassware from Kagami Crystal: See Japanese Elegance Up Close
6. MUJI GINZA: Experience Elegant Japanese Design
7. G Itoya: Stock up on Stationery at One of Japan’s Oldest Stationery Stores!
8. Onsenza, the Oita Specialty Store: Visit Beppu Onsen Without Leaving Ginza!
9. Marugoto Kochi: Local Products from Kochi Prefecture
10. Tsukiji Honganji: Find Indian Buddhist Architecture in Japan?!
Cafes and Dining
11. Tsujiri, Ginza: Try Matcha Ice Cream from a Kyoto Tea Shop
12. Savor Some of Tokyo’s Best Sushi
13. Yabaton: Improve Your Luck and Fill Your Stomach
14. AIN SOPH Ginza: Experience Exquisite Japanese Vegan Cuisine
15. NAKED FLOWERS FOR YOU: Indulge in a Healing Art Experience Like No Other
Unique Museums and Shrines
16. Ginza Mitsukoshi: See a Mysterious Jizo Statue
17. National Film Center: Learn About Japanese Cinema
18. Free Galleries in Ginza: Learn About Traditional and Contemporary Japanese Art
19. Hakuhinkan Toy Park: Unleash Your Inner Child
20. Toyoiwa Inari Shrine: Test Your Luck

1. Central Ginza: Appreciate the Architecture

Photo by Pixta

Ginza Yonchome is essentially the fourth block of the overall Ginza area, and is one where you will find some of Japan's oldest and most loved department stores.

This building, in particular, is interesting for architecture fans - Ginza Wako and its clock tower, have been standing guard over the Ginza Station area since 1932. This was originally a watch store, but grew into a department store in 1947 after taking over an earlier store that had been in business since the late 1800s.

Across the street from here, you will also find Mitsukoshi, another historical department store, and one that has secrets of its own to discover.

↑ Return to the top of article.

2. GINZA SIX: A Microcosm of Ginza and Its Charms

Picture from GINZA SIX - A 6-Starred Facility That Will Widen Your Horizons!

Opened in April 2017, GINZA SIX is an all-inclusive, high-class shopping and entertainment center that showcases the best of what Ginza has to offer.

Not only can you shop here, but you can also view different sides of Japanese culture, see works of art by world-renowned artists, watch a performance of Noh theater, and even enjoy views of Mount Fuji from their rooftop garden. And, in keeping with Ginza tradition, there is even an Inari shrine on this rooftop too.

GINZA SIX

6-10-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061

3. Art Aquarium Ginza - Enter a Surreal World of Glittering Goldfish

Picture courtesy of PR Times

Located in the famous Ginza Mitsukoshi department store, the Art Aquarium Ginza opened its doors in 2022. Goldfish hold a particular significance in Japanese culture, and appreciating their beauty has been popular since the Edo Period (1603-1868).

Picture courtesy of PR Times

The minds behind the Art Aquarium have taken this concept into the modern age, creating a mesmerizing ‘gallery’ of glowing goldfish aquariums. Many of these displays reflect particular elements of Japanese culture.

The space utilizes light, music, and even scents, transporting visitors into another reality. Art Aquarium Ginza is a fascinating sensory experience not to be missed out on!

↑ Return to the top of article.

4. Kabukiza Gallery - Get a Behind-the-Scenes View of the World of Kabuki

Picture from How To Enjoy Kabukiza Theater Without Buying A Ticket

Located in Ginza’s magnificent Kabukiza Theatre, the Kabukiza Gallery is dedicated to the fascinating world of Kabuki - arguably Japan’s most well-known traditional performance art. Showcasing real costumes, sets, and props, the exhibits are a great way to experience kabuki theater without attending a full show.

This unique gallery affords visitors the rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how shows are put together, allowing them to gain a true appreciation for the incredible artistry behind each Kabuki performance.

↑ Return to the top of article.

5. Kagami Crystal: See Beautiful Edo Kiriko Glassware Up Close

From: Edo Kiriko Glassware - An Exquisite Japanese Souvenir From Ginza

Edo Kiriko is a type of colorful, carved or etched crystal glass said to have been first produced in the Nihonbashi area of Edo (old Tokyo) during the late Edo Period. Thanks to the delicate beauty and exceptional craftsmanship that Edo Kiriko glass works demand, they were recognized as one of Tokyo's traditional handicrafts in 1985, and have been a popular gift given to world leaders and special someones ever since.

Kagami Crystal Ginza Shop is the flagship store for Kagami Crystal, a brand that was the first to produce these crystal glasses commercially, established in 1934. Not only do they sell original Edo Kiriko items, but also those created by certified traditional artisans too. This shop is a must for those who are interested in Japanese handicrafts, or for those wanting to see a part of Tokyo's history.

↑ Return to the top of article.

6. MUJI GINZA - Experience Elegant Japanese Design

Picture from MUJI GINZA And MUJI HOTEL GINZA - Eat, Shop, And Stay In Central Tokyo

Japanese brand MUJI has gained recognition worldwide for its focus on quality and simplicity. The brand sells a wide range of high-quality products, which include household items, food products, and clothing.

The massive MUJI GINZA is currently the world’s largest MUJI store. It spans 11 floors, boasting a huge interior goods section, restaurants, and even a hotel.

Picture from MUJI GINZA And MUJI HOTEL GINZA - Eat, Shop, And Stay In Central Tokyo

MUJI GINZA’s interior and stationery items are particularly charming. One-of-a-kind paper products can be created using adorable stamps, and their elegant household goods would be a welcome addition to any home.

↑ Return to the top of article.

7. Itoya - Stock up on Stationery at One of Japan’s Oldest Stationery Stores!

Picture from Ginza, Tokyo's Most Popular Shopping District - 21 Must-Visit Places

Operating for over a century, Itoya are perhaps Japan’s best-known stationery specialists. The brand’s main store located in Ginza is stocked full of stationery items to suit any need, as well as travel goods, interior products, and souvenirs!

The store’s elegant interior design and immaculate displays are a feast for the eyes, and make for a truly refreshing shopping experience.

8. Onsenza, the Oita Specialty Store: Visit Beppu Onsen Without Leaving Ginza!

From: Beppu Hot Springs in Ginza?! The Oita Specialty Shop Onsenza

Would you like to see more of Japan, but only have a limited amount of vacation time or a shoestring budget to work with? Then Ginza is the ideal place to check out. Onsenza is an antenna shop managed by the Oita Prefecture Tourism Association; this store sells all the best products available from Oita Prefecture but at a store conveniently located in Ginza.

Here you will find hot spring bath salts, beauty products and foods made with Oita's local specialties, and even a hot spring footbath filled with hot spring water shipped straight from Beppu Onsen.

↑ Return to the top of article.

9. Marugoto Kochi: Local Products from Kochi Prefecture

Picture from Marugoto Kochi - Enjoy Regional Goods In Ginza!

Your wanderlust might not be slaked by visiting Oita in Ginza, so why not also check out Marugoto Kochi, to find delicious foods and souvenirs from Kochi prefecture in the Shikoku region?

Kochi is best known for its numerous clean and pure rivers, so juices and sake from this prefecture are said to be some of the highest quality around. At Marugoto Kochi, you will find plenty of great foods, including seasonal items, for sale on their first-floor market, Tosa Ichi, and a wide selection of sake and regional wines on their basement floor shop, Tosa Gura.

And if you want to see other parts of Japan while staying in one city, there are many other antenna shops for Hokkaido, Hiroshima, Kumamoto, and many other prefectures here as well. Just take a stroll around the area, and see where you can travel to next!

↑ Return to the top of article.

10. Tsukiji Honganji: Find Indian Buddhist Architecture in Japan?!

Photo by PIXTA

Tsukiji Honganji Temple is a rare example of Indian Buddhist-influenced architecture in Japan and one that, while it may not seem that imposing from the outside, has amazing stained glass, a massive golden altar, and a pipe organ with 2000 pipes inside.

Why a pipe organ you ask? This organ was designed for the temple by Walker, a German organ maker, in order to promote the spread of Buddhist music. The pipes on either side form six mountains that represent the six Chinese characters of "na mu a mi da butsu", while there are 48 pipes in the center of each side to represent the 48 Vows, the central sutra of Jodo Shinshu, the sect of Buddhism practiced at Tsukiji Honganji Temple.

↑ Return to the top of article.

11. Tsujiri, Ginza: Try Matcha Ice Cream from a Kyoto Tea Shop

Picture from Tsujiri - Refined Matcha Flavored Treats In Ginza!

If you are a fan of Japanese sweets, then you may have already tried matcha ice cream before during your travels, but there is a shop that you simply have to try if you are in Ginza. Tsujiri, located within GINZA SIX, is a branch of the famous Kyoto-based tea of the same name, and is where you will find green tea ice cream and related sweets and drinks that will put others to shame.

Their ice cream contains double the standard amount of matcha that most shops use, and comes with a sprinkling of freshly ground green tea on top, while they also serve wagashi-inspired seasonal dishes in cones as well.

Here you can also pick up matcha and hojicha (roasted tea) bags, and other tea-related items too.

↑ Return to the top of article.

12. Savor Some of Tokyo’s Best Sushi

Photo by Pixta

Ginza is home to many of Tokyo’s best sushi restaurants.

Kyubey is one of the area’s most renowned and well-established. Founded in 1935, the restaurant gained international attention when former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former US President Barack Obama dined together at the establishment. Known for its high quality, it remains a favorite among sushi lovers both from Japan and overseas.

We also recommend Haneda Ichiba Ginza Seven, which pairs masterfully made sushi with some of the best Japanese sake.

↑ Return to the top of article.

13. Yabaton: Improve Your Luck and Fill Your Stomach

Ginza is also a city where you will find plenty of gourmet cuisines to choose from; everything from very reasonably priced sushi lunches to European-style dinners running in the tens of thousands of yen can be found here. But if you are looking for something more unique in Ginza, then a visit to Yabaton is a must.

Yabaton is a miso katsu specialty restaurant originally from Nagoya. Miso katsu is a dish where katsu (breaded and fried pork cutlets) are served with a rich miso-based sauce alongside steamed rice and miso soup.

While this might just seem like an ordinary restaurant to the casual observer, there is something special hidden on the second floor of Yabaton. There is an altar with a sacred tree on it that has been dedicated to Ise Grand Shrine in Mie prefecture.

↑ Return to the top of article.

14. AIN SOPH Ginza: Exquisite Japanese Vegan Cuisine

Picture from AIN SOPH. GINZA - Eat Jewel-Like Meals At A Vegan Friendly Restaurant!

Just a stone’s throw away from Kabukiza Theatre is the famed vegan restaurant group AIN SOPH’s hugely popular Ginza location. The restaurant’s unique menu seamlessly blends Japanese and international vegan cuisine, and its relaxing interior is heavily influenced by Japanese design aesthetics.

Offering exquisite and beautifully presented dishes in an elegant space, AIN SOPH Ginza is a must-visit dining spot for all vegans in Tokyo, as well as for anyone simply looking to appreciate fantastic food and atmosphere.

15. NAKED FLOWERS FOR YOU: Indulge in a Healing Art Experience Like No Other

Picture courtesy of PR Times

Japan’s visionary art group NAKED opened their experiential art gallery and cafe space NAKED FLOWERS FOR YOU in 2022, on the 7th floor of the Yurakucho Marui shopping mall.

Combining art and technology, NAKED FLOWERS FOR YOU offers guests a uniquely personalized healing experience. The area is divided into several sections, referred to as ‘gardens’, and visitors can enjoy art, personalized health drinks, medicinal chocolates and meditation experiences.

At the heart of this immersive experience is OUSAI, a massive cherry tree exhibit that reflects the four seasons via the use of projection mapping; constantly transforming the color and atmosphere of the space.

↑ Return to the top of article.

16. Ginza Mitsukoshi - See a Mysterious Jizo Statue

At Ginza Mitsukoshi you can shop for practically anything, but something that not many people know about this department store is that on its ninth floor, out on the Ginza Terrace, you will find the Ginza Shusse Jizoson, a statue of the Buddhist deity Jizo, that is said to grant luck in getting ahead in life. This statue is also a registered Tangible Cultural Property of Chuo ward, where Ginza is situated.

This statue was first excavated in what is now Ginza Yonchome just after the start of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), and stood on the roadside here until 1968, when it was moved to Ginza Mitsukoshi.

The name, Shusse Jizo, refers to its "moving up" from being a roadside statue to one on a rooftop, and because of this, it is said to help those who are looking to advance their careers or move ahead with their life goals.

↑ Return to the top of article.

17. National Film Center - Learn About Japanese Cinema

The National Film Center is part of The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, which also includes the art museum, the film center, and a craft gallery.

The National Film Center has both special exhibitions and a permanent collection, which displays the history of Japanese film from the 1910s until about the 1960s, and features items such as vintage posters, movie pamphlets, film props, and even classic cameras.

What makes this museum so worthwhile is that all of their displays are written in both Japanese and English, so that even those who can't speak a word of Japanese can appreciate the history of film too.

This center is also part of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF), and has taken on the task of acquiring missing films of historical value from around the world and restoring and preserving these cultural artifacts.

↑ Return to the top of article.

18. Free Galleries in Ginza: Enjoy Traditional and Contemporary Japanese Art

There are many small, hidden art galleries to discover in Ginza, and many of them have free (or very reasonably priced) exhibitions. There is Gallery Shukado, which exhibits traditional Japanese art and has a catalog available in English.

In the photo, you can see the Okuno Building, an entire building built in the 1930s that was one of Japan's first singles apartments and is now home to 20 different small galleries. This photo is of Room 306, one gallery that those interested in Japanese contemporary art and history definitely should not miss out on.

↑ Return to the top of article.

19. Hakuhinkan Toy Park - Unleash Your Inner Child

Ginza is well known for its numerous brand name and luxury brand stores, but there is one place that will surely appeal to kids of all ages. Hakuhinkan Toy Park is Ginza's answer to New York's old FAO Schwarz, a toy store that carries everything from traditional games and toys, to the latest items for international film and TV series, and of course, Japan-limited exclusive items too. At any given time, there are about 200,000 kinds of toys available here.

While there are branch stores of this chain in most of Japan's major airports, you have to visit their main store in Ginza to truly appreciate just how incredible this toy store can be. Taking up its own building, within the walls of Hakuhikan, you will not only find wall to wall toys, but also a toy car race track, a theater, and even restaurants. If you want to indulge your inner child or find souvenirs for a youngster, then this is the place to check out.

↑ Return to the top of article.

20. Toyoiwa Inari Shrine - Test Your Luck

If you don't have the time to check out all ten of the Ginza Hatcho shrines, then just visiting Toyoiwa Inari Shrine is enough. This is perhaps one of the easiest and yet hardest of the shrines to find, but when you do, you will be surprised by how otherworldly it feels. Hidden away between two buildings, the very air around Toyoiwa Inari Shrine feels both mystical and ancient.

↑ Return to the top of article.

Don't Let Ginza Fool You With Its Glamour

Photo by Pixta

Just because guidebooks might say that Ginza is a luxury area, it doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of amazing, historical, and reasonably priced things to do there as well. Use this article as your guide to finding some of the lesser-known, but equally impressive things to do when visiting Ginza and its surrounding area.

Main image by Pixta