Where is Ginza/Nihonbashi?
Ginza is the best place to have shopping. Lots of high brand shops are lined up and just walking the street makes us feel like we’re super rich. If you want to take a look at Eastern New York’s 5th Avenue, we would like you to visit here. On Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, the street becomes a car free zone from noon to evening. You can feel more free and relaxed during this car free zone time. Nihonbashi is big downtowns where have long history. These areas have great selections of shopping spots, cafes, izakayas, and lush greenery. Moreover, it has movie theaters, museums, and is even close to Ginza. These 3 places are also business towns so you can see lots of business men wearing suits. Yurakucho is one of the best places where have many local Izakayas. Hibiya has the famous Hibiya park and Nihonbashi is beautifully organized town. Don’t miss best parts of each place!
Ginza/Nihonbashi main sightseeing spots
High brand shops
Ginza is the most famous place for luxurious brand shops in Japan. The stores are large and the building itself is well designed so you won’t get bored here.
High brand shops
Address：3-6, Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo, 104-0061
Access：
1 minute walk from “Ginza sta.”
1 minute walk from “Ginza 1 chome sta.”
3 minute walk from “Yurakucho Station”
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“Japanese historical and traditional theater only for Kabuki!”
Kabukiza Theatre
Kabuki is a Japanese traditional show by male. All the are male and only male are accepted. Kabukiza theatre was built in 1889 as a theatre only for Kabuki show. The building was renovated and current theatre was opened in 2013. On the 5th floor, you can learn the history of Kabuki at the Kabukiza Gallery. The show is about 4~5 hours and usually has 2 shows in 1 day, from afternoon and from night. Even Japanese cannot understand everything on the show so we recommend that buying audio guide to enjoy more!
Kabukiza Theatre
Address：4-12-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
Access：
1 minute walk from “Higashi Ginza sta.” 3 exit.
1 minute walk from “Ginza 1 chome sta.”
3 minute walk from “Yurakucho sta.”
Official：https://www.kabukiweb.net/theatres/kabukiza/information/index.html
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“The most famous and largest fish outer market in Japan”
Tsukiji outer fish market
Tsukiji’s morning is very early. The shops get busy from 9:00am so visit here around at 8:00am before it gets crowded. There are local restaurants you can eat in but some are not eat in so enjoy walking and eating too. On Sundays and Wednesdays, about half of the restaurants are closed.
Tsukiji outer fish market
Address：5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045
Access：
1 minute walk from “Tsukijishijo sta.”
1 minute walk from “Tsukiji sta.”
3 minute walk from “Higashi Ginza sta.”
Official：http://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/index.html
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“Modern taste of Japanese temple!”
Tsukiji Honganji Temple
It is about 3 minutes walk from Tsukiji Outer Market. This is very rare that doesn’t look like a typical Japanese temple. The decorations are gorgeous with gold powder and it even has a pipe organ. Visit this very interesting and unusual Japanese temple!
Tsukiji Honganji Temple
Address：4-12-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
Access：
0 minute walk from “Tsukiji sta.”East exit.
5 minute walk from “Shintomicho sta.” 4 exit.
5 minute walk from “Higashi Ginza sta.” 5 exit.
Official：https://tsukijihongwanji.jp/wp_eng/?fr=top_pickup
“Japan’s first department store since 1673”
Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi is renowned as a classic and real department store that every Japanese knows. This department store is also famous as the first place where elevators were put in Japan in 1914. Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi’s current building was built in 1935. The entrance’s statue of lions is the symbol of Mitsukoshi. Enjoy the architectural beauty of this building while shopping!
Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
Address：1-4-1 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0022
Access：
1 minute walk from “Mitsukoshimae sta.”
5 minute walk from “Nihonbashi sta.” B9 exit
10 minute walk from “Tokyo sta.”
Official：https://mitsukoshi.mistore.jp/store/nihombashi/foreign_customer/index.html
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“One of the most old established department stores in Japan”
Nihonbashi Takashimaya
It can be said that every Japanese knows Takashimaya. It is that famous in Japan as the department store with a long history. Nihonbashi Takashimaya’s main building was built in 1919 and is designated as an important cultural property by the government. We would also like you to check interior decorations of this building while enjoying shopping. Don’t miss the depachika food floor too! Nihonbashi Takashiyama has annex and east building other than main building.
Nihonbashi Takashimaya
Address：2-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-8265
Access：
0 minute walk from “Nihonbashi sta.”
5 minute walk from “Tokyo sta.” Yaesukita exit
Official：https://www.takashimaya-global.com/en/stores/nihombashi/
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“The building of Bank of Japan is designated as an important cultural property by the government”
Nihon Ginko (Bank of Japan)
Bank of Japan, the center of Japanese finance, is located at the northern part of Tokyo station. This building was built in 1896 by Tatsuno Kingo, a famous architect who also built Tokyo station. It is a popular sightseeing spot that we would like you to feel the history of Japan. When you see the building from the top, it is shaped ‘円’ which is the Chinese character for Japanese YEN.
Nihon Ginko (Bank of Japan)
Address：2-1-1 Nihonbashihongokucho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0021
Access：
5 minute walk from “Mitsukoshimae sta.” B1 exit or A8 exit
6 minute walk from “Kanda sta.”
Official：https://www.boj.or.jp/en/index.htm/
“The historical bridge that symbolizes Nihonbashi”
Nihonbashi
This stone arch bridge was built in 1911 and was the center of the Tokaido journey during the Edo period. You can see the statue of an animal made from imagination called Kirin at the center of bridge. Kirin has wings that contains a wish for success that people can fly all over Japan and embrace society. Please also check Nihonbashi cruise experience. We would like you to visit Nihonbashi bridge if you’re in Nihonbashi.
Nihonbashi
Address：1-9 Nihonbashi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0027
Access：
1 minute walk from “Mitsukoshimae sta.”
5 minute walk from “Nihonbashi sta.” B9 exit
10 minute walk from “Tokyo sta.”
Official：http://www.nihonbashi-tokyo.jp/en/
“One of the most renowned museums in Japan. Very popular among museum fans…!”
Mitsui Museum
This museum is located at 7th floor of the Mitsui building which is designated as an important cultural property. There are temporal exhibitions and permanent exhibitions so please check the schedule before your visit. Mitsui is the name of very famous zaibatsu (financial clique) and has about 300 years history. The collections by Mitsui family is about 4,000…! I would like you to visit here when you’re in Nihonbashi.
Mitsui Museum
Address：2-1-1 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo, 7F 103-0022
Access：
1 minute walk from “Mitsukoshimae sta.” A1 exit
4 minute walk from “Nihonbashi sta.” B9 exit
7 minute walk from “Tokyo sta.”
Official：http://www.mitsui-museum.jp/english/english.html
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“A big park in the middle of Tokyo”
Hibiya Park
Hibiya Park is Japan’s oldest western style park made in 1903. Until then, it was used by the Imperial Palace for the palace. Since 1903, it has widely opened to the public and been loved by many Japanese. Seasonal events such as Christmas market and regular music performances are held at the park. When you want to get out from the busiest city, Tokyo, Hibiya Park is the best place.
Hibiya Park
Address：1-6 Hibiyakoen, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0012
Access：
1 minute walk from “Hibiya sta.”
1 minute walk from “Kasumigaseki sta.”
8 minute walk from “Yurakucho sta.”
Official：https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index037.html#googtrans(en)
“A multipurpose hall built in 1929”
Hibiya Kokaido Hall (Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya Public Hall)
This Hibiya Kokaido hall is located at Hibiya Park and was built in 1929. It is a Neo Gothic architecture which is still loved by many people. Currently, this hall is closed for renovation for long time. The exact opening year and date is not announced yet. You can still enjoy the beautiful architecture from outside when you visit Hibiya Park.
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“First open-air concert hall made in Japan”
Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall
These two, small and big open-air concert halls are located at Hibiya Park. Small hall was built in 1905 as the fist open-air concert hall in Japan. There are 1,075 seats at this small hall and every concerts are for free. Tokyo Metropolitan Police Color Band plays at this hall. Big open-air concert hall was built in 1923 and current concert hall was built in 1983 after several renovations. Big hall has 2,664 seats and is used by various artists.
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“A public library in the Hibiya Park”
Hibiya Library & Museum
Hibiya public library was first built in 1908 and renovated to current building in 2011. As the name shows, it is not just a library but it also has some exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions are for free where you can learn the history of Edo. This library has cafe and restaurant to relax too. After strolling around Hibiya Park, it would be great to stop by here!
Hibiya Library & Museum
Official：https://translation2.j-server.com/LUCHIYOLIB/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.library.chiyoda.tokyo.jp/hibiya/?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XPARAM=q,txt_word,txt_dummy,&XCHARSET=UTF-8&XPORG=,,,&XJSID=0
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“Small museum but well known in Japan”
Idemitsu Museum
This Idemitsu Museum puts an emphasis on oriental art works. It is located at the 9th floor of Teigeki building so the view from here is beautiful that you can see the Imperial Palace plaza. You can observe from oriental paintings, ceramics, to Japanese room for tea ceremony etc. High quality artworks are lined up.
Idemitsu Museum
Official：http://idemitsu-museum.or.jp/en/
Summary
This Ginza, Nihonbashi, Hibiya and Tsukiji area is also filled with Japanese culture. Museums, Kabukiza theater, Biggest Outer Fish Market… You can definitely take a look into the local Japanese life around here. Ginza and Nihonbashi are considered as very sophisticated towns and Tsukiji is more like the town cherishing local lives. On a sunny day, it feels perfect walking around this area!