Ginza Area

The Ginza area is one of Japan’s premier shopping and entertainment districts—so enjoyable that even simply strolling and window-shopping (“gin-bura”) is fun. The streets are lined with major landmarks and stores such as Wako (known for its clock tower), Ginza Mitsukoshi (opened in 1930), and Tokyu Plaza Ginza (opened in 2016), along with luxury-brand flagship boutiques. The name “Ginza” comes from the fact that Tokugawa Ieyasu moved a silver-coin mint to this area. Although it once declined, the district was reborn after the great fire of 1872. A huge amount of government budget was invested to build the foundations of today’s Ginza streetscape. With Japan’s first railway opening as well, the area thrived as a shopping district in front of Shimbashi Station. The practice of creating display windows is said to have originated from Ginza at that time, helping establish the culture of street-walking and browsing that later became known as “gin-bura.” Access: immediately near Tokyo Metro Ginza Station / Ginza-itchome Station / Higashi-ginza Station, or JR Yurakucho Station.