Best things to do in Ginza in 2024: Tokyo’s Luxury District (According to A Japanese Local)

As Japanese locals, we have done an IN-DEPTH RESEARCH on the best things to do in GINZA for your travel in Japan. Why trust us? We go to Ginza for work and for leisure multiple times a month so we are very familiar in the roundabouts of this famous district in Tokyo you definitely should not miss when traveling to Japan.

Personally, I love walking in Ginza especially on weekends when the streets are closed for vehicles. Of course, you probably have heard that Ginza is one of the luxurious things to do in Tokyo and it is also home to some of the most exclusive shops, luxury hotels in Japan, Michelin star restaurants, and entertainment in the city. It’s a must-visit destination for any planning to travel in Japan.

I recently went there yesterday by the time of this writing in July 2024 and was still amazed not only by the buildings in Ginza but of course, by the fashion of shopaholics people 🙂

However, when your time is limited in Japan, to make the most of your Ginza experience, check out the exclusive map we have created. This guide features insider information on the best stores and boutiques in the area, as well as tips on where to find the most exclusive items and limited-edition collections.

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Whether you are traveling to Japan and seeking for luxury yet affordable travel planning for 7 days or an extended 2-week Japan itinerary, visiting GINZA is a MUST.

Things to do in Ginza in the morning: Eat a Japanese Breakfast

As locals who love dining at a luxury breakfast (and brunch) restaurants, there are three restaurants that have met our expectations that have the balance of value of money and quality of food (and of course, coffee!).

During your stay, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO VISIT these breakfast places in Ginza in Tokyo.

1. Ginza Choshoku Lab – Authentic Japanese Breakfast
2. Bills Ginza – Luxury Breakfast with Modern Japanese and Australian Breakfast Selections
3. NOA Cafe – Simple and affordable yet tasty breakfast (Toast and Waffle Selections)

I personally recommend Choshoku Lab if you have not tried an authentic Japanese breakfast. If you are in a “hurry” and have a simpler breakfast, then NOA Cafe is your best choice. If you are up for some luxurious breakfast or celebrating something, then you should have your breakfast at Bills.

Things to do in Ginza: Shop for Best Unique Souvenirs at LOFT flagship store

With Japan’s distinct culture, you do not want to miss the items available at LOFT, a famous household goods specialty store in Japan. The flagship store is located in Ginza which sells a lot of unique yet affordable (starts from 800 yen) Japanese items.

Even the Daruma Doll below which is a figure that Japanese people see as perseverance and diligence is sold for only 1,500 yen.

Things to to in Ginza: Visit a Famous Japanese Bakery

We, Japanese, LOVE breads – and of course, bakeries. Ginza Kimuraya is loved by Japanese locals when it comes to bread. Their An Butter (red bean paste with butter bread) is their most popular bread which we definitely recommend you getting when in Ginza. There are also a lot of Modern Japanese breads to choose from.

Free Things to do in Ginza: Visit The Most Luxurious Shopping Malls in Tokyo

With its high-end boutiques and designer stores, GINZA is a shopper’s paradise. In fact, Ginza houses the Top 2 of the Most Upscale Shopping Malls in Tokyo like Ginza Six and Mitsukoshi.

There are three big department stores in Ginza. If you only have one day, we highly recommend just visiting GINZA SIX:

1. Matsuya – great selection of food in the store basement
2. Mitsukoshi – crowded with cosmetics brands
3. Ginza Six – the best place to have coffee or afternoon tea. Also has exhibitions of Japanese art and unique souvenirs. Ginza SIX is the only department store that has a rooftop park where you can enjoy the views of Ginza (don’t forget to grab a Starbucks from the 2nd or 6th floor or Blue Bottle Coffee from the B2 before heading to the rooftop park!)

If you want to have COFFEE, BOOKS, Look for ART EXHIBITION, Rooftop Park, Unique Japanese Souvenirs, our recommendation is to spend your time (around 2 hours) at GINZA SIX.

For shopaholics, Ginza Six also runs a lot of sale promotions. Actually, when we went there to have a coffee by the time of this writing (1st week of July 2024), they were running a campaign so go check their website before visiting.

Actually during this time in summer 2024, they also released some Japanese souvenirs that I highly recommend to check. I personally feel Ginza Six has a lot of choices for affordable luxury shopping in Tokyo – just like the souvenir in the picture below.

For men’s luxury shopping, I would recommend to go to Hankyu Men’s. It is a large luxury department store in Ginza area with both international and Japanese designer brands. I highly suggest to visit this store to check some Japanese luxury brands like Yohji Yamoto.

Things to do in Ginza – Luxurious yet Affordable Japanese Lunch

Beyond shopping, GINZA is also home to some of Tokyo’s best restaurants. The district boasts numerous Michelin-starred establishments, offering a wide range of cuisines and dining experiences.

BAKURO ICHIDAI is a luxury modern Japanese restaurant situated in Ginza. They have a luxury lunch set at a 2,500 yen (we tell you, being in Tokyo’s most posh neighborhood, this is a HUGE STEAL when in Ginza!).

The only trickiest thing is we do not think they have English menu, so you can refer to the menu below and just point to them the picture when you come here during lunch and enjoy the extremely delicious SUKIYAKI lunch set – we personally eat there almost every month! 🙂

For dinner, If you’re looking for traditional Japanese cuisine, try Sushi Yoshitake, a three-Michelin-starred sushi restaurant that offers some of the freshest and most authentic sushi in the city. For a more contemporary dining experience, check out L’Effervescence, a two-Michelin-starred French restaurant that blends Japanese and European flavors.

Unique Things to do in Ginza: Food Tours and Sushi Class

Attending a Kabuki Show is the most unique thing to do in Ginza.

In watching a Kabuki Show at, you will experience traditional Japanese theater with an evening performance at the Kabuki-za Theatre. It’s a unique cultural experience that combines history, art, and entertainment.

Aside from Kabuki Show, to discover the best of GINZA, we recommend taking both the following experiences:

1. Tokyo Tsukiji Market Walking Tour and Rolled Sushi Class
   Led by an experienced guide, the tour will take you to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market and have a rolled sushi class after.
   
2. Restaurant, Tavern, and Ramen Food Tour
   During this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local food and drink culture, discovering the dishes and beverages favored by the residents. Savor the delightful taste of ramen, a true Japanese classic. Best of all, there’s no need to worry about language barriers as our knowledgeable guide will be on hand to handle all translations.
   
   This to is limited to a small group of eight travelers. Dinner and alcoholic beverages are included in the package, making it a hassle-free and enjoyable outing. As a special memento of your journey, you will receive a souvenir porcelain cup, exclusively available to participants of this tour.

Things to do in Ginza: Staying at a Luxury Hotel

For those looking to extend their luxury experience beyond the shopping experience, there are several luxury hotels, and in fact, Tokyo’s most expensive hotels located near Ginza in Japan. Some of the most popular options include:

• The Peninsula Tokyo: This hotel is the most luxurious hotel near Ginza, just a short walk away from the Louis Vuitton store in Ginza Namiki. We also recently had lunch at their famous restaurant Peter. As with other Peninsula Hotels in the world, we highly recommend this hotel for luxury seekers – and they never fail to give a luxurious feeling when you walk to their lobby!

• The Imperial Hotel Tokyo is a historic and luxurious hotel that has been welcoming guests for over a century.
• Hotel Gracery Ginza is the best budget yet still luxurious 4-star hotel just a 3-minute walk to Ginza Six.

Things to do in Ginza at night

Ginza is one of my favorite places for night scene. Here in Tokyo, Tokyo’s upscale shopping and entertainment district, is renowned for its luxury boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and dazzling neon lights. As the sun sets, this iconic neighborhood transforms into a vibrant hub of nocturnal activities, offering a different kind of allure to those who prefer the allure of the night. Here’s your guide to experiencing the best of Ginza when the stars are out.

Ginza is the most luxurious shopping district in Tokyo. You have options to spend a lot of money on some high-end, premium shopping and dining experiences but we have detailed out what we, Japanese locals recommend the best things to do in Ginza in 2023 thinking the best value for money.