5 Food Spots to Try in Tokyo’s Most Popular Shopping District, Ginza

• By PEACE LONGE
• December 13, 2024December 13, 2024
• With 0 comments

If you’re ever visiting Tokyo, you don’t want to miss out on the city’s most popular shopping district, Ginza. When looking for words to describe this 1.3 km-long street, things like traditional, charming, vibrant, culinary, and authentic may come to mind. Ginza is known to have three main shopping streets and about 400 vendors! If you love exploring culinary delights, it is a fantastic place for memorable, mouth-watering experiences.

Here are five food spots to try in Ginza:

1. Kinmaru – Tonkotsu Ramen shop near Chuo-dori, Ginza
2. Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi Ginza – A Contemporary Izakaya Serving Yakitori
3. Ginza Kimuraya – Japan’s Oldest Bakery
4. Sushi Takahashi – Edomae Sushi and Japanese Cuisine
5.  TORAYA Ginza Store – Anmitsu in Chuo City

From century-old dessert shops to traditional izakayas that serve food with alcohol, Ginza has it all. With as little as ¥250, you can enjoy savory delicacies like a juicy stick of Japanese skewered chicken (yakitori). Those who love their spices will be pleased with the garlic bowls and crushers readily available for visitors at most ramen shops in the district. Let us review these food spots and why you should add them to your bucket list! 

1. Kinmaru –Tonkotsu Ramen shop near Chuo-dori, Ginza

Tonkotsu ramen is a specialty dish from the Japanese island of Kyushu. Also known as Hakata ramen, this pork-based delicacy, invented in 1937 by Tokio Miyamoto, has been warming bellies for decades. Many ramen shops serve Tonkotsu in a broth made from pork bones, but Kinmaru is a highly preferred ramen shop when visiting Ginza.  

Kinmaru is very traditional, as the business primarily communicates in Japanese. You must be careful not to miss the shop because its outdoor sign is also in Japanese. You can enjoy a tasty and satisfying meal for as little as ¥1,000–2,000 per head, pocket-friendly in a city like Tokyo. Kinmaru’s ramen is one of the best. It has tender pork slices and perfectly cooked noodles in a tasteful broth.

Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 1 Chome−13−9 栄楽ビル
Google Maps: Click here
Nearest Station: Ginza-itchome, Subway station
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am – 12 am | Saturday-Sunday 11 am – 9:30 pm
Contact: +81 3-5524-5901

2. Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi Ginza – A Contemporary Izakaya Serving Yakitori

Yakitori, which translates to ‘grilled bird,’ is a skewered chicken delicacy popular in Japan’s fast food scene. Vendors prepare yakitori with different parts of the chicken, like thigh, breast, wings, gizzard, etcetera. If you’re looking for a shop that sells flavourful yakitori with alcoholic drinks, Bistro Fukimimi is where you want to visit!

This izakaya with a modern look goes beyond serving some of the juiciest and most delicious yakitori to delivering excellent customer service with some of the friendliest staff on the Ginza Corridor. Customers can book a reservation online, so it may be best to make yours in advance and secure a table when you visit the restaurant. With ¥4,000–5,000 per head, you can enjoy a nice meal of yakitori combined with drinks and other foods on their menu, like potato salad, dumpling soup, grilled pork, etcetera.   

Here’s a fun fact: Yakitori has become so popular in Japan that it’s sold in cans as a flavored precooked meal. 

Address: コリドー街GINZAはなれB1F, 6 Chome-2-先 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Google Maps: Click here
Nearest Station: Ginza Subway station, Chuo City
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 4 pm – 11:30 pm
Contact: +81 3-6274-5533 

3. Ginza Kimuraya – Japan’s Oldest Bakery & Inventor of Anpan

Let’s talk about anpan, a traditional Japanese sweet roll with red bean paste filling. The origin of anpan can be traced back to 1875, when Yasubei Kimura, a former samurai, started his bakery and created the legacy recipe for anpan. That bakery is what is today known as Ginza Kimuraya! Anpan is an undeniably mouth-watering dessert that even Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken couldn’t resist.
 

Ginza Kimuraya serves anpan with different fillings, from the traditional anko red bean to cream cheese and chestnut. You can enjoy a filled bun, dessert, coffee, and salad for as little as ¥1,200. Remember that there may be a queue at the shop, so it’s advisable to go early before the tasty anpan gets sold out. 

Address: 4 Chome-5-7 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Google Maps: Click here
Nearest Station: Higashi-Ginza Subway station
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 10 am – 8 pm
Contact: +81 3-3561-0091

4. Sushi Takahashi – Edomae Sushi and Japanese Cuisine

Sushi Takahashi is a more expensive restaurant, with guests spending as much as ¥10,000 per head. The quality of their food is remarkable, and they have a reputation for leaving guests wanting more! Their sushi is delectable and served with seasonal toppings on a griddle. 

Sushi Takashi is usually fully booked, so it is best to make a reservation in advance. Their customer service is top-notch, the ambiance is relaxing, and their Edomae sushi is authentic. From crab cream croquette to sea urchin rolls, the menu offers several delightful meals, including hairy crab and octopus stew.  

Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 1 Chome−14−14, Ginza Yoshiden Bldg, 1F
Google Maps: Click here
Nearest Station: Ginza-Itchome Station
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 5 pm – 11:30 pm | Closed on Wednesdays
Contact: +81 3-3561-6503

5. TORAYA Ginza Store – Anmitsu in Chuo City

When speaking of favorite Japanese desserts, anmitsu can’t be left out. It is a tasteful fruit-filled parfait with roots from the Meiji era. This fruity delight was invented in Ginza Wakamatsu. Unfortunately, the shop has been closed since December 2023. No worries; TORAYA is another wonderful Japanese sweets restaurant in Ginza that serves anmitsu on its menu.

When locating TORAYA, you must pay attention to the store’s entrance –as it is on a back street with no signboard. ¥2,000 is enough money to get you a nice anmitsu treat with the traditional bean paste and a side of sweet syrup. The store has friendly service and a relaxing atmosphere. If you’re in Ginza looking for a taste of traditional Japanese sweets, make sure to give TORAYA’s anmitsu a try! 

Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 7 Chome−8−17 虎屋銀座ビル 4階Google Maps: Click here
Nearest Station: Shimbashi Station
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 11 am – 6:30 pm
Contact: +81 3-6264-5200

What is Ginza Popular for?

Ginza is popularly known as one of Tokyo’s trendiest shopping districts. It features several flagship stores, globally-recognized boutiques, and a wide assortment of food shops, from Michelin-rated restaurants to street vendors selling staple delicacies. Ginza’s elegance, luxury, and exuberance have earned it undeniable worldwide recognition, attracting a crowd of tourists yearly.

What is the Most Popular Street Food in Tokyo?

The most popular street food in Tokyo is Takoyaki (octopus balls). It is speculated that a street vendor in Osaka, Tomekichi Endo, invented Takoyaki in 1935. Several decades later, this ball-shaped snack filled with minced octopus is a viral sensation all over Tokyo. Typically cooked in a takoyaki pan, these delightful tidbits have a crisp flour-based covering with a tasty octopus interior and are usually served with takoyaki sauce.      

What Time Does Everything Open in Ginza?

Most shops in Ginza open at 10 am and close by 9 pm every day of the week. Shrines and temples, however, are usually open 24/7. Parks are also open very early in the morning. If you love morning coffee, some shops in the district open as early as 7 am, including Komeda’s Coffee in Tsukiji Shochiku. 

Why is Ginza so Expensive?

Ginza is expensive because it houses some of the world’s most luxurious brand shops, such as Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari, Gucci, TASAKI, and Prada. It also features exquisite restaurants, including Michelin-rated culinary establishments. However, amidst all the luxury and lavishness, Ginza has several pocket-friendly shops.

What is the Famous Street in Ginza?

The most famous street in Ginza is Chuo Dori, which translates to Central Street in English. Chuo Dori is well-known for having huge department stores like Tokyu Plaza and several luxury brand shops. It also has some of Tokyo’s best confectionery shops, where many of Japan’s most popular sweets were invented.