Ginza is by far the most luxurious shopping district in Tokyo. Known all around the world for its major brands flag stores and for it’s unique shopping experience within massive department stores, Ginza can offer almost anything you can imagine buying in Japan, and best of all, it is all located within a couple of blocks right in the heart of Tokyo. If you plan for a shopping day in Ginza, the best way to do it is start early and allow yourself the comfort of the morning non-rush hours. From lunch time to late evening, Ginza is humming and buzzing with shoppers until shops are closed around 10pm at night. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the major stores and best shopping centers so you will know where to go and what you can buy there before you hit the streets. Last thing to remember about shopping in Ginza. Do not forget to take your passport with you! Many of the shops in Ginza offers tax-free prices! All you need to do is show your passport at the cash register and 8% Japanese Consumption Tax will be deducted from your total bill!
1. Mitsukoshi Department Store
Mitsukoshi department store is the most iconic of all shopping centers in Japan. It is also a part of the oldest department store chains in Japan, Mitsukoshi – which was founded in 1673! The Ginza branch of Mitsukoshi is located at the central crossing of Ginza district called Ginza 4-chome crossing where Chuo-dori and Harumi Dori meets. The store is massive and includes 12 floors and 4 basement floors. The first 7 floors is where you can find women cloths, health products, cosmetics, women accessories, men’s wear and household products.The floors above the 7th are used for restaurants. The basement floors is where the toys stores, children wear and food shops are located. A great tip to remember is that large department stores as Mitsukoshi which have food stores floor offers wide variety of “free samples” which you can taste before you buy. It is a great experience to walk around and try all those goodies free of charge!
Information
- Name:Mitsukoshi Department Store
- Address: 4-6-16, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8212
- Tel: 03-3562-1111
- Access: Take the Ginza, Hibiya or Marunouchi lines and get off at Ginza Station
- Opening hour: 10:30am to 8:00pm
- Website: http://mitsukoshi.mistore.jp.e.bm.hp.transer.com/store/ginza/index.html
2. LOFT
If you are on the look for unique and beautiful products, there is no better shop then LOFT to find the most peculiar products! The store is located at the edge of Ginza and right behind Yurakcho Station. The store is built on one massive floor which is divided to different sections of products. Speaking of product selection, the shop boast over 100,000 items on sale at any given time! The entrance offers seasonal products and is changing the product display every month. Passing the entrance you can walk through the aisles and find all sort of beauty product, toys for both adults and kids, stationary, miniatured plants, and miscellaneous household goods and decoration products.
Information
- Name: LOFT
- Address: 1F 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
- Tel: 03-5223-6210
- Access: Take the Yurakcho or JR Yamanote Lines and get off at Yurakcho Station
- Opening hour: 10:30am – 9:30pm
- Website: http://www.loft.co.jp
3. MUJI
MUJI, or as it is called in Japan – Mujirushi Ryohin – is a store located in the same building of LOFT and occupying the full second and third floors of the building. The shop is one of Japan’s most iconic retail companies offering thousands of products which are all based on the simplicity and minimalism concept the store is known for. All the product you will find in this massive store are promoting clean energy, recycling, avoiding any type of waste, and are all tagged with the “MUJI” brown and simple logo which beautifully express the company and all their products style. The store offers clothing, household products, home decorations, furnitures, cooking and kitchenware products, and even kids section offering the same styling and minimalism for all kids needs at home or in school.
Information
- Name: Mujirushi Ryohin (MUJI)
- Address: 2-3F 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
- Tel: 03-5208-8241
- Access: Take the Yurakcho or JR Yamanote Lines and get off at Yurakcho Station
- Opening hour: 10am-9pm
- Website: http://www.muji.com
4. Fujiya Candy Shop
Fujiya is a Japanese company that sells all sort of bakery and candies in all Japanese supermarkets and convenient stores. Their most famous product they sell is a soft candy called “Milky” and there is no kid in Japan who has not tried it! Fujiya flagship store is located on the big Sukiyabashi crossing between Ginza and Yurakcho, right off the Ginza Subway Line exit and is hard to miss with its iconic red sign of a girl with pigtails! The shop is mainly selling delicious freshly baked cakes and cookies. The shop opens until 10:30pm at night and fresh cakes are been baked until 10pm daily. If you are finding yourself hungry for a little snack and a taste that all Japanese know and love, don’t miss Fujiya shop!
Information
- Name: Fujiya
- Address: 4-2-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Tel: 03-3561-0083
- Access: Take the Ginza, Hibiya or Marunouchi lines and get off at Ginza Station
- Opening hour:
Mon.-Fri. 10:30-22:30
Saturday 10:00-22:30
Sun./natl. hol. 10:00-21:30- Website: http://www.fujiya-peko.co.jp
5. GAP
Source: Tim Franklin Photography
GAP flagship store in Ginza is the largest GAP store in Japan. The store was opened in 2011 right in front of the Sony building and is easily recognized by its exterior modern design and large clear glass walls showcasing the massive space the store floor offer. The store impressive sales floors are an excellent shopping experience if you are looking for daily and not too expensive clothing. The first floor offers seasonally themed clothing while the top floors carry the brand full collection for men, women and kids. Although it is located right in the heart of Ginza, GAP clothing prices are known to be fairly low and affordable.
Information
- Name: GAP
- Address: 4-2-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
- Tel: 03-5524-8777
- Access: Take the Ginza, Hibiya or Marunouchi lines and get off at Ginza Station
- Opening hour: 11am – 9pm
- Website: http://www.gap.co.jp
6. UNIQLO
UNIQLO is Japan’s largest retailer of casual wear which you can find in almost every city and town across the country. The brand start selling in 2005 but since then grew rapidly and now have branches all around the world. UNQLO clothing are actually a collection of many designers who work under the UNIQLO umbrella offering fresh design to match the Japanese casual wear style for both adults and kids. The flagship store in Ginza, located right around the corner from Ginza main 4-chome crossing is huge and offers 6 floors and a large street level showroom. UNIQLO also started a very successful t-shirts line in collaboration with Disney and other major brands. UNIQLO clothing prices are one of the cheapest clothing you can get in Japan yet the quality of clothing is superb, both for the sweltering summer or the freezing cold winter.
Information
- Name: UNIQLO
- Address: 6-9-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-0061
- Tel: 03-6252-5181
- Access: Take the Ginza, Hibiya or Marunouchi lines and get off at Ginza Station
- Opening hour: 11am – 9pm
- Website: www.uniqlo.com
7. GU
GU Ginza flagship store is located just off the main Harumi-dori street behind the UNIQLO building. The store offers discount casual designer wear for both adults and kids. The store has over 300 branches around Japan and is one of the fastest growing clothing retail shops in Japan. The name itself signal the type of clothing and design concept. GU – pronounced in japanese “jiyu” – means “free” as in free from high cost of clothing in designers brand shops. GU most successful line of clothing is its jeans line which cost only ¥900 in the middle of plush Ginza! If you are looking for brand designer clothing in amazingly discounted prices, do not miss GU Ginza store!
Information
- Name: GU
- Address: 5-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-0061
- Tel: 03-6255-6141
- Access: Take the Ginza, Hibiya or Marunouchi lines and get off at Ginza Station
- Opening hour: 1am – 9pm
- Website: http://www.gu-japan.com
8. Cozy Corner
Although there are many bakeries and cake shops in Japan, Cozy Corner is one of the most famous bakery outlets offering delicious sweets and freshly baked deserts. Cozy Corner has over 300 stores around Japan but its Ginza shop is considered one of the best sweets bakeries both in terms of taste and the beautiful cake design. If you are looking for buying the most delicious Japanese sweets, Cozy Corner is the place to visit in Ginza for it. The shop flag store is located at the entrance to Ginza-Dori avenue and you will notice the large black sign and gold color lettering “GINZA Cozy Corner” at the corner of the street.
Information
- Name: Cozy Corner
- Address: 1-8-1 Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
- Tel: 03-3567-5015
- Access: Take the Ginza Line and get off at Kyobashi Station
- Opening hour:
- Holiday: 10am – 9pm
- Website: http://www.cozycorner.co.jp
9. Hakuhinkan Toy Park
Situated at the end of Ginza Dori Avenue and very close to Shinbashi Station is one of Tokyo largest toy stores offering thousands of items in fairly good prices. If you are looking for finding all sort of traditional Japanese toys as souvenirs or the latest high tech toys as presents, this is the right place to go. The store has so many toys in it, it feels like visiting an amusement park. The shop offer 4 floors and one basement floor with a variety of toys selections. The basement is dedicated to dolls and figures, The first floor is the place to see the latest toys as well as a wide selections of candy and sweets. The second floor is dedicated to stuffed dolls and animals. The third floor is full of high tech toys and radio controlled cars and drones while the 4th floor is dedicated to lego and puzzle sets as well as a wide selection of toy trains and tracks. Hakuhinkan is one of the best places to get presents for kids in Ginza area.
Information
- Name: Hakuhinkan Toy Park
- Address: 8-8-11 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo 104-8132
- Tel: 03-3571-8008
- Access: Take the Ginza Line and get off at Shinbashi Station
- Opening hour: 11am – 8pm
- Website: http://www.hakuhinkan.co.jp/guide_en.html
10. Nishi-Ginza Shopping Center
Located conveniently right at the exit of Ginza Station exit at the very edge of Ginza district on Harumi-Dori street is one of the largest department stores in Ginza. The complex itself is taking over a full block of Ginza streets and is filled with women oriented stores. If you are looking to shop for women products, that is the right place to be in. The shop is built with two floors and two basements. The top floors are a mix of fashion goods stores, interior design shops, lingerie, beach wear, beauty and cosmetics and as in any other department store, has a large basement floor full of food stores and bakeries.
Information
- Name: Nishi-Ginza Department Store
- Address: 4-1 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0061
- Tel: 03-3566-4111
- Access: Take the Ginza Line and get off at Ginza Station
- Opening hour: 11am – 9pm
- Website: http://www.nishiginza.co.jp
11. Biccamera
Biccamera is a network of electronics, computers, mobile phones, audio and video equipment, cameras, watches and household chain stores. There are about 40 branches of Biccamera shops around Japan and one of the largest branches is located right on the edge of Ginza district in front of Yurakcho Station. The shop offers 7 floors and 2 basement floors for its shoppers. The 1st floor is focused around Apple watch and mobile phones products, the 2nd floor is the TV and audio department, the 3rd floor holds beauty products, house appliances, and stationary. The 4th floor is oriented around office products, music and video games. The 5th floor is the computer department with both Apple and PC separated sections. The 6th floor is oriented around travel products and accessories as well as watches. The 7th floor is mainly for repair services and personal eye care products such as contact lenses and glasses. Please remember to bring your passport with you as Biccamera offers tax free discounts to all foreign shoppers!
Information
- Name: Biccamera
- Address: 1-11-1, Yuurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006
- Tel: 03-5221-1111
- Access: Take the Yurakcho or the JR Yamanote Line and get off at Yurakcho Station
- Opening hour: 10am – 10pm
- Website: http://www.biccamera.com
12. Hankyu MEN’S TOKYO
Hankyu MEN’S TOKYO is the only department store in Ginza district which is focused on Men clothing and accessories. The shop offers everything from the world’s big-name brands to small private labels by Japanese designers. Hankyu MEN’S TOKYO specialty mens fashion store has 8 floors and one large basement floor. The basement floor is where you can find shoes, belts, ties, socks, night wear, handkerchiefs, travel bags and smoking supplies. The 1st floor is focused around luggage and leather goods, eyeglass, Men’s jewelry, watches and Men’s cosmetics. The 2nd to 4th floors are where the international brand shops located. The 5th and 6th floors are focused around business wear, custom suits as well as casual wear for office and work. The 7th floor is offering hats, bags, accessories and sunglasses.
Information
- Name: Hankyu MEN’S TOKYO
- Address: 2-5-1 Yurakcho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8488
- Access: Take the Ginza Line and get off at Ginza Station or Take the Yurakcho Line or JR Yamanote Line and get off at Yurakcho Station
- Opening hour: 11am – 9pm
- Website: http://www.hankyu-dept.co.jp/mens-tokyo/english/
13. Itoya Ginza Stationary Shop
Located right off Chuo-dori behind Matsuya building is one of Tokyo largest stationary shops. In Japan, stationary is considered one of the most popular presents and souvenirs people by each other. The Ginza Itoya flag shop offers 9 floors of office and stationary products including traditional Japanese products such as washi paper, calligraphy writing brushes and all sorts of origami folding paper and accessories. There are also unique type of services the shop offers to its customers. The 5th floor, offers you to create your very own and special notebook. You can pick up paper type and cover and put together on the spot a notebook of your own. The same floor also offers a special travel section where you can find all sort of business gadgets for traveling. The 8th floor offers craft paper and wrapping. This is a perfect place to get the most unique warp for all your presents and souvenirs!
Information
- Name: Itoya
- Address: 2-7-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
- Tel: 03-3561-8311
- Access: Take the Ginza Line and get off at Ginza Station
- Opening hour: 10am – 8pm
- Website: http://www.ito-ya.co.jp
14. Tokyu Plaza (Open March 31, 2016)
The Tokyu Plaza is the newest built department store and shopping center in Ginza right on Sukiyabashi crossing between Ginza and Yurakcho. The building design is inspired by the Japanese traditional craft called “Edo kiriko”, or cut glass and the shape of the building looks according. The store opening day is scheduled for March 31, 2016 and it promise to deliver the most luxurious department store in Ginza. The Tokyu Plaza Ginza will have 11 floors and 2 basement floors with 125 stores and restaurants. The 8th and 9th floors will be dedicated to Duty-Free shops and will be operated by South Korea’s Lotte group so don’t forget your passport to make sure you will get the 8% tax discount!
Information
- Name: Tokyu Plaza
- Address: 5-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
- Access: Take the Ginza Line and get off at Ginza Station
- Website: http://ginza.tokyu-plaza.com
15. Chuo-dori on Saturdays & Sundays
After you experienced Ginza throughout the day and night, there is one more Ginza you need to experience and it is different then any other pan of Ginza you already saw. Every Saturday and Sunday, Ginza main street, Chuo-dori – is closed to traffic of all types and turn to one big sidewalk. Shops are placing large sun/rain umbrellas in the middle of the streets with free chairs and tables where people can sit, relax, drink and chat. The street which is usually a very posh and luxurious shopping area turns into a sort of a street fair. You can sometime see performers playing music or singing in the street, many people with exotic animals are walking up and down the street and allowing taking pictures with their pets, and most of all, everyone chat and socialize like in a large street party. If you are in Ginza district on the weekend, it is a must see!
Information
- Name: Chuo-dori on Saturdays & Sundays
- Address: Ginza, Chuo-dori
- Price: Free
- Access: Take the Ginza Line and get off at Ginza Station
- Opening hour: 8am – 6pm
Have a good trip and travel!
