Ginza Shopping – Located in Chuo ward lies Ginza (meaning “Silver Mint”), the famous luxury neighborhood with its upscale shopping offerings and high-class entertainment and fine dining establishments. It is said that 1 square meter of land in the district’s center can cost over 10 million yen making it the most expensive area in all of Tokyo.
The area is centered around the famous Chuo-dori, a 1 km long street which is closed to traffic on weekends allowing pedestrians to walk around freely. Many high-end international fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel are represented in Ginza along the numerous world class department stores. Ginza is also home of major Japanese brands like Sony, Shiseido and Uniqlo all having their flagship store located here.
Although many shops cater to the wealthy, you’ll also find shops like H&M and Big Camera so there’s something for everybody. Ginza’s architectural landscape has also undergone a facelift with the addition of new buildings and department complexes in recent years. Just strolling around in Ginza and looking around on itself is a fun way to enjoy your day.
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Ginza Six
Credits: Zengame
Opened in 2017, Ginza Six is the newest and largest shopping complex boasting over 240 shops, many of them leading fashion and cosmetic brands. The beautifully designed building has 14 floors, where you’ll also find restaurants, interior design, jewelry & accessories, a large Tsutaya bookstore, Starbucks and more.
Visit the peaceful rooftop for a relaxing stroll or get lost looking at the many art pieces and installations by famous artists found all over the building. Enjoy a Noh performance at the Kanze Noh Theatre and at night relax with a cup of coffee or a cocktail at one of the many cafe and bars.
What can we find there: high-end fashion, cosmetics, jewelry, accessories, restaurants, interior goods, books, art
Price: $$$
Address: 10-1, Ginza 6-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, Japan
Opening Hours: shops from 10:30 am – 8:30 pm, restaurants from 11 am – 11:30 pm
Uniqlo Ginza
Credits: Bernardo Tuso
When strolling along Chuo-dori, it’s hard to miss Uniqlo’s flagship store. The affordable Japanese clothing brand popular amongst all ages. A massive 12-story store and the largest in the world. Here you will find the widest range of Uniqlo clothing and products, many not found elsewhere. Whether you’re looking for a limited edition art t-shirt or heat-tech underwear, Uniqlo Ginza has it all!
What can we find there: men & women clothing, kids wear, underwear, accessories, shoes
Price: $
Address: 6-9-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, Japan
Opening Hours: 11 am – 9 pm
Itoya
Credits: Antonio Rubio
Opened in Ginza in 1904 as a small stationary shop, Itoya today has 10 stores in Tokyo and Yokohama. It is no surprise that its flagship store is located in Ginza on Chuo-dori. Spread across 12 floors, you will find stationary and art supplies with each floor having its own theme. Shop for notebooks or look for a beautiful fountain pen, or head up to paper section to find over 1000 different kinds of paper including handcrafted washi paper.
In the travel section you will find stylish travel bags and suitcases, and there’s even a floor dedicated to home interior goods. For a break visit the cafe located on the 12th floor and relax with a fresh cup of coffee or a healthy salad. Itoya is not your regular stationary shop and we bet you’ll probably find it hard to leave this place once you’ve set foot in it.
What can we find there: stationary, art supplies, paper, craft, travel goods, interior goods, souvenirs, cafe
Price: $-$$
Address: 2-7-15, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, Japan
Opening Hours: 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday & holidays from 10 am – 7 pm
Matsuya
Credits: Masahiko Motono
Occupying almost a whole block, you’ll find a the department store Matsuya in a new modern white building. With 7 floors devoted mostly to womens fashion, you’ll find many famous fashion brands like Issues Miyake and Comme des Garçons, next to that are 2 basement floors offering food. There are restaurants on the 8th floor and an exhibition hall where you can often find art displays.
What can we find there: fashion, accessories, jewelry, pet store, restaurants, food, household goods, travel agency, exhibition hall
Price: $$-$$$
Address: 3-6-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-8130, Japan
Opening Hours: 10 am – 8 pm, restaurants from 11 am – 10 pm
Sanrio World Ginza
Credits: Martin Wyatt
The world’s largest Sanrio store can be found right here in Ginza. This flagship store has the biggest selection, many of them exclusives, of Sanrio character goods. The first floor belongs entirely to Hello Kitty and offers products like stuffed dolls and stationary but also everything from travel suitcases to watches to cast iron teapots all featuring Hello Kitty.
There are also Hello Kitty shapes cookies, candies and snacks perfect to give as a souvenir, or to yourself! On the second floor you’ll find the rest of the Sanrio family with character goods of your favorite characters like Yurin, Keroppi, My Melody and Cinnamaroll. On your way out, don’t forget to take a picture with Hello Kitty near the entrance.
What can we find there: Sanrio character goods, food, clothes, accessories
Price: $-$$
Address: Nishi-Ginza Dept. Store 2F, 4-1 Nishi-Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo, Japan
Opening Hours: Mon/Tue/Sat from 11 am – 8:30 pm, Wed/Thu/Fri from 11 am – 9 pm, Sun & holidays from 11 am – 8 pm
Mitsukoshi
Credits: Tomo Kitami
This 12-floor high class department store has a history of over 80 years and is known for it’s high quality offerings. You’ll find one of the largest varieties of cosmetic brands as well as clothes, jewelry, accessories, home goods, restaurants and excellent service centers. The 9th floor houses a terrace where you can catch your breath and relax before continuing your shopping journey.
The true star however is it’s food section located in the basement floors. Upon entering the food hall it’s hard to focus where to look first. The amount of food selections are staggering. You’ll find any imaginable and unimaginable food here, one looking more scrumptious than the other. Try mouthwatering tempura, buy a whole roasted chicken, how about some fresh pasta or sample the many tarts and cakes on display, buy some wagashi for a family member, the choice is seemingly endless.
What can we find there: fashion, cosmetics, accessories, shoes, bags, jewelry, restaurants, food, services
Price: $$-$$$
Address: 4-6-16, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-8212, Japan
Opening Hours: 10:30 am – 8 pm, restaurants from 11 am – 11 pm
Muji
Credits: Wai Kwork
Only a few minutes away from Ginza, you’ll find the largest and flagship Muji store in the world. With a store size that would rival Ikea, you can find every single Muji product available. With it’s “no-brand” image, Muji products are simple yet very stylish. Characterized by neutral tones and natural materials, shopping at Muji feels like therapy.
Clothes, home interior good, kitchenware, bedding and furniture are just a few of the many kinds of products this 3500 square meter store has to offer. At the Green Market you’ll find fresh produce, organic teas, canned foods, condiments. Sit down at the Cafe and Meal and order fresh juice and freshly baked goods or spend your time wandering in the Muji bookstore.
What can we find there: clothing, health & beauty goods, accessories, shoes, bags, stationary, food, appliances, table & kitchenware, linen & bedding, furniture, bicycles, cafe
Price: $-$$
Address: 1-3F Infos Yurakucho, 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0005, Japan
Opening Hours: 10 am – 9 pm
Yamano Music
Credits: 山野楽器 銀座本店
A 7-floor store for a music lovers, Yamano Music Ginza offers CDs, DVDs, musical instruments, sheet music and music classes. With a huge selection of top-grade instruments like pianos, guitars, violins, saxophones, flutes to select from, we’re sure you’ll find whatever you need at this main branch located in the center of Ginza. English and Chinese speaking staff are also available. The 7th floor is an event space.
What can we find there: CDs & DVDs, music instruments, sheet music, classes
Price: $-$$$
Address: 4-5-6, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, Japan
Opening Hours: Mon/Tue/Fri & weekend from 10:30 am – 8 pm, Wed & Thu from 10:30 am – 8:30 pm
Wako
Credits: Zengame
The iconic building with its characteristic clock tower located on the Ginza 4-chome junction houses the luxury department store Wako. Originally a watch and jewelry shop, it now offers men’s and women’s clothing, bags, jewelry, accessories, porcelain, and interior goods targeting mostly wealthy older customers.
What can we find there: men’s & women’s clothing, bags, jewelry, watches, accessories, porcelain, interior goods
Price: $$$
Address: 4-5-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-8105, Japan
Opening Hours: 10:30 am – 7 pm
Hakuhinkan Toy Park
Credits: にゃんこゴールド
This toy emporium is one of the biggest toy stores in Tokyo with 5 floors and packed with stuffed dolls, games, puzzles, model kits, trading card games, Barbie, Rika-chan, model cars and everything else. You can also find things like stationary, souvenirs and costumes. On the 8th floor is The Hakuhinkan Theater which is used for events like performances.
What can we find there: stuffed toys, dolls, cars, puzzles, board games, card games, video games, model kits, educational toys, stationary, souvenirs, costumes
Price: $-$$
Address: 8-8-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8132, Japan
Opening Hours: 11 am – 8 pm
Conclusion
Ginza offers world class shopping experiences found nowhere else in the world. It’s quality offerings are second to none and just by walking around Ginza it’s easy to understand why. From its huge modern shopfronts bearing every famous brand name out there to membership only boutiques, Ginza is the playground of the famous and rich.
However, additions of the likes of Uniqlo, H&M and Donki as well as catering more and more to the many foreign visitors and middle class shoppers, has made Ginza a place for everybody to enjoy.
Check our recommendation of places for shopping in Tokyo. Which one is your favorite place for shopping in Ginza? Let us know on our Facebook group. Also, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest and stay tuned about Japan news.
Happy shopping!
