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Ginza Shopping

The Ginza shopping area is synonymous with wealth, luxury, and overflows with brand names. One of the original centers of money in Tokyo, Ginza still has a draw that separates people from their cash through a range of high end outlets and malls.

High End Luxury And Style

giorgio-armani-in-ginza

For a touch of luxury in Tokyo, Ginza shopping is a hard activity to beat.

Designer clothes, designer bags, designer accessories, designer people and designer dogs are the order of the day. You can either have a major spending spree or enjoy some excellent window shopping.

Mixed up in all of this you'll also find a big Apple store, department stores, and a range of restaurants for when you need an energy giving pit stop.

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Designer Labels For Fashionistas

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In Ginza, shopping for designer labels is a breeze. Off the top of my head, on the main street you will find Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Coach, Tiffany, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren to name but a few.

If you are a dog lover and your pup is a designer pooch, why not shop for the both of you. There are even mannequins sporting dog attire to help you reach your decision. If your canine friend gets tired, buy a top brand carrier bag so they can take the weight off their paws.

Tokyoites loooove their dogs and you will see many well dressed specimens of the four-legged kind.

Personally I'll never quite understand the fascination of dressing your dog up - they have their own coat after all - but each to their own I say.

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Sunday Shopping

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This is a popular area with many visitors, both Japanese and non-Japanese. Ginza shopping can be a crowded affair, but if you choose the right day, things get much easier.

On Sundays, the main Ginza shopping street is closed to all vehicles so you can wander freely up and down the road with no concerns regarding traffic. This is especially worth bearing in mind if you have little ones with you.

On a sunny day, as you can see in the picture, the parasols and chairs come out. Take a seat and watch the world go by whilst planning your next sortie down the main street.

Make sure to spend a little time people watching and don't forget to drink some water. On a hot day it's amazing how fast you can become dehydrated so take care. Tokyo sightseeing can be hard work!

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Directions and Ginza Maps

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Arriving anywhere in Tokyo and stepping out of the station exit for the first time can be a little disorientating.

As well as your own Ginza map and guide that you may be using, it is useful to know that just about all the major tourist areas have maps located very close to the station exits. These are in the form of signboards at street level.

These maps are detailed, and displays are in both English and Japanese. They show the names of streets and key buildings in the area as well as the location of toilets, parks and other points of interest.

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If you should happen to get yourselves lost, don't worry. Many Japanese people also find themselves asking for directions when they visit busy areas like Ginza or Odaiba for the first time.

There are local kobans (police stations) at all major train stations. In popular areas like Ginza, during peak hours police monitor busy areas and can help point you in the direction of where you want to go. They are usually easy to spot. They stand on pedestals so that they stand out above the crowd.

There is no guarantee that they will be able to speak English, but if you have a map with you or an address, they will do their best to help.

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