Ginza, Tokyo

Ginza used to be the symbol for the modernization & westernization of Japan. Here, you find a mixture of old tradition and modern Tokyo. It is a shopping heaven for those who love to shop and enjoy life as there are thousands of shops, restaurants, night clubs and business offices.

Must see: Tokyo Kyukyodo, traditional Japanese craft shop, located on Ginza-dori Ave (a few shops west of Harumi-dori St intersection).

Ginza has an array of amazing shops for the rich and trendy. So window shopping is the second option.

At night, the lights of Ginza are spectacular too. There is famous Kabuki theatre at Ginza worth watching. There is a translation headphone.

Here is something you can do for FREE!! in tokyo..get your hands on the lastest gadgets from SONY...:)

The Sony Building, next to the Sukiyabashi crossing in GINZA has all the very latest Sony gadgets on display.

There are camcorders and various other personal devices, also a high vision theatre, a broadcasting studio and several room layouts suggesting how all the technology can be best incorporated into the home.

A PlayStation on the 6 floor has Sony games you can interact with for free.

Demonstrations are held everyday throughout the day from 10:00 am to 8:00pm and best of all entrance is FREEEEEEE.......

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The image of Ginza is the notoriously expensive cup of coffee and that even more extortionate apple! in the 1920's were the heyday years for Ginza,men striving to be at the very height of fashion . The "cafes" were the big attraction...

But those days are long gone ....."cafes" are now hostess bars , the shopping streets are very much the territory of the middle aged housewife. ONLY fashion is still very much the word. Brand name bags costing tens of thousands of yen are the essential shopping accessory .....

When you Exit C2 of Ginza Subway Station, brings you out next to the Sukiyabashi zebra crossing.... look out for the department stores Hankyu,
Seibu,
Printemps,
sony building,
Mitsukoshi department store,
Apple store ginza,
Kabuki-za theatre,
Tsukiji Honganji,
Tsukiji fish market,
Nakajin capsule apartment building..

Ginza is a very pleasing area to visit. This area is very sophisticated and caters to adults and the wealthy. It is not too different from Shinjuku, Shibuya, or other areas in regards to the shops and entertainment but it tends to be a cleaner and less chaotic area.

Ginza is definitely worth checking out for an afternoon or on a weekend. A good idea would be to have a cup of coffee or eat a meal, do some shopping, and walk around and get a feel for the Ginza area.

When I look at Ginza, I think of Rodeo Drive in LA, Orchard Road in Singapore, KLCC in Kuala Lumpur and Knightsbridge in London.

It's all about shopping and having deep pockets. So for those of us who are not well-heeled, it's still fun to window shop and dream. On weekends, the streets are turned into pedestrial walkway so grab a chair, sit in the middle of the street and gawk at the super luxury brands available here!

My favourite shop here is really the Apple Centre. You won't miss it as it's next to the Mikimoto store. With 5 storeys to satisfy even the most hard core Apple fan, you'll definitely not be bored here.

If you're in Ginza with your boyfriend or husband, send them to the Apple Centre and get them out of your hair so that you can shop in peace :-)

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The Ginza was the first district where Western imports and architecture were displayed following the opening of Japan to the outside world in the 1860's. It has evolved into the most expensive and exclusive shopping district in the country with the finest boutiques, large department stores, restaurants and bars. The famous Hankyu and Seibu stores are owned by railroad companies and Printemps is here as well. Sony and Apple stores are among the technology companies represented as well. But the spectacular neon lights at night are also a reason to visit the Ginza neighborhood as seen on these images (among my most ancient slides).

Ginza does not mean just shopping. If you are in Ginza you can just walk arround there are also many nice small restaurants and last but not least there is also the Sony Building where you might have a look to the latest Japaneese and Over Seas models of Sony gadgets or you can play with their funny robot dog!

Tokyo's Ginza area is the shopping area mainly aimed at a wealthier audience, although it seems like every second Japanese woman walks around with a Louis Vuitton bag anyway. Because of its elegant boutiques and department stores the Ginza has become the internationally most known part of Tokyo.
You should go her to see the old Kabuki-za theater and the big branch of Mitsukoshi with all its luxury good from chocolate to clothes on Harumi-dôri. On Chûô-dôri you will find further department stores and boutiques as well as the Toyko Central Musueum of Art and the main store of the cosmetic manufacturer Shiseidô ( Shiseidô, the Ginza ).