Kabuki-za
Tokyo, Japan
Ginza, Tokyo
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Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free — it's a city district
- Hours
- Shops usually roughly 10:30–20:30; Hokoten Sat and Sun 12:00–17:00
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Hokoten
- Chuo-dori car-free — Sat and Sun, 12:00–17:00
- Landmark
- The 4-chome crossing and Wako clock tower
- Ginza Six
- Shops 10:30–20:30, restaurants 11:00–23:00
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Tax-free
- From 1.11.2026 — full price, tax refunded after departure
- From Tokyo Station
- ≈ 15 minutes on foot
Key facts
1612the year a silver-coin mint was founded here — hence the name
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en.wikipedia'Gin'means silver — Ginza is 'silver mint'
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en.wikipediaWakothe department store with the clock tower — the district's symbol
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en.wikipediaHokoten'pedestrian heaven' — weekends 12:00–17:00
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en.wikipedia3 linesat Ginza station — Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya
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en.wikipediaGinza Sixthe district's biggest mall, with a rooftop garden
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ginza6.tokyoKabuki-zathe main kabuki theatre — nearby at Higashi-ginza
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en.wikipedia≈ 15 minon foot from Tokyo Station
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travel guidesWhat is Ginza?
Ginza is Tokyo's best-known upmarket shopping district, in Chuo ward between Tokyo Station, Tsukiji and Shimbashi. The name means 'silver mint': a silver-coin mint was founded here in 1612.
Today Ginza means department stores such as Mitsukoshi and Matsuya, global flagship boutiques, restaurants and galleries. Its symbol is the Ginza 4-chome crossing with the clock tower of the Wako store. At weekends the main street, Chuo-dori, becomes pedestrian-only and Ginza turns into one big promenade.
How the district works
Ginza is laid out on a grid, so it's easy to find your way: the main axis is Chuo-dori and the 4-chome crossing is the centre. Around it are department stores with food halls in their basements ('depachika'), flagship shops and cafés.
Ginza Six is the district's biggest mall; according to its official site, shops open 10:30–20:30 and restaurants 11:00–23:00, and the roof has a free garden with city views. Stationery lovers should try Itoya, spread over several floors. Walking around Ginza is free.
What to see and do
- The Ginza 4-chome crossing and the Wako clock tower.
- Hokoten — car-free Chuo-dori at weekends.
- Department stores Mitsukoshi and Matsuya with food halls.
- Ginza Six and its rooftop garden.
- Itoya — stationery over several floors.
- Kabuki-za theatre — a few minutes away.
How to get to Ginza
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Kabuki-za is about 5 min away on foot.
- Tsukiji Outer Market is about 13 min away on foot.
- Hamarikyu Gardens is about 23 min away on foot.
More tips
- Ginza station — Ginza, Marunouchi and Hibiya metro lines, with exits at the 4-chome crossing.
- From Tokyo Station — about 15 minutes on foot to the south.
- From Yurakucho station (JR) — about 5 minutes on foot.
- From the Imperial Palace — 15–20 minutes on foot.
- From Haneda airport — Keikyu to Higashi-ginza or Shimbashi, about 30–40 minutes.
Weekday or weekend
| Weekdayyou are here | Open to traffic | Fewer | Calmer | From the pavement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend | Car-free 12:00–17:00 | Busy | More atmosphere | From mid-street |
How long do you need?
Allow 1.5–2 hours for a stroll around Ginza, or half a day with shopping. It's easy to come here after the Imperial Palace or Tsukiji market, and to see a show at the Kabuki-za in the evening.
Ginza is especially lovely in the evening: shop windows and signs are lit, and upper-floor restaurants look out over the lights.
Is Ginza worth visiting?
Yes: even without buying anything it's a pleasure to walk — department-store architecture, window displays and the car-free street at weekends.
The YesGo take: Ginza is expensive, and bargains are better found elsewhere. Come on a weekend for Hokoten, explore the department-store basements and go up to the Ginza Six garden.
Before you go: checklist
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Tokyo shopping and markets: compare and choose
Shopping districts and markets in Tokyo rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Ginzayou are here | 53 | 1 h 30 min | Free | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akihabara | 53 | 2 h | Free | 3.1 km |
| Senso-ji | 51 | 1 h | Free | 5.6 km |
| Takeshita Street | 49 | 45 min | Free | 5.5 km |
| Tsukiji Outer Market | 46 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 14 min walk |
| Ameyoko | 40 | 45 min | Free | 4.4 km |
| Toyosu Market | 37 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 3.4 km |
Ginza and Tsukiji in a day
Breakfast at Tsukiji market in the morning, a stroll through Ginza in the afternoon, and a show at the Kabuki-za in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Tsukiji Outer Market1 h 30 min · free
- 14 min walk from the previous stopGinzayou are here1 h 30 min · free
- 5 min walk from the previous stopKabuki-za1 h 30 min · single act ¥1,600–10,800 (Nov 2026)
3 places · about 4 h 49 min with walks · 19 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- Hokoten: Sat and Sun, 12:00 to 17:00.
- Explore the department-store basements for food.
- The Ginza Six rooftop garden is free.
- Carry your passport for tax-free.
- In the evening: Kabuki-za theatre nearby.
Questions
When is Ginza car-free?
On Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 to 17:00, Chuo-dori is closed to traffic.
How do I get to Ginza?
Ginza station (Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya lines), or 15 minutes on foot from Tokyo Station.
What is there to see in Ginza?
The 4-chome crossing with the Wako tower, department stores, Ginza Six and its rooftop garden.
Why is it called Ginza?
A silver-coin mint was founded here in 1612.
How does tax-free work?
From 1 November 2026 — full price, 10% tax refunded when you leave; ¥5,000 minimum.
What are the shop hours?
Usually roughly 10:30 to 20:30; at Ginza Six that's per its official site.
How long do you need?
1.5–2 hours, or half a day with shopping.
What's nearby?
Kabuki-za theatre, Tsukiji market and the Imperial Palace.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Ginza — name, mint, Wako, Hokoten, stations
- Ginza Six official site (ginza6.tokyo) — shop and restaurant hours (checked 09.11.2026)
- japan-guide.com and others — tax-free from 1 November 2026
- Wikidata Q746052 — coordinates
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