Ginza is Tokyo's fashion capital and is home to some of the world's leading fashion brands. If pick up any Tokyo travel brochure and you will probably find the photo on the front will be of Ginza, Ginza is home to some of the world's most expensive real estate and is the place for the wealthy to be seen.

As well as the world's best brands, Ginza is also home to some of Japan's best department stores and many restaurants and has it's fair share of large hotels and attractions. 

Saturday and Sunday's cars are forbidden from the Chuo-Dori strip as tens of thousands flock to shop or be seen.  Public seating and some alfresco dining is set up in the centre of the road where people soak up the amazing atmosphere.

Afterdark the precinct takes on another transformation, the lights come on- huge neon bill boards and monstorous video screens light up the night sky advertising everything from beer companies, to mobile phones to electronic brands.

 

One of the most photographed city intersections in the world is the Ginza 4-Chrome intersection where huge neon billboards grace the Chuo-Dori Street adn Harumi-Dori Street crossroad. This intersection is also home to Wako and Mitsukoshi, two of the most prestigious department stores in Japan.

Ginza comprises of eight blocks- from 1-Chrome to 8-Chrome, and is easily accessable by rail. In the heart of the precinct is Ginza station, connected to the Marunouchi (M16), Ginza (G09), and Hibiya (H08) subway lines. Alternatively you may walk to the area from the JR Shimbashi or Yurakucho stations, or Higashi-Ginza station on the Asakusa (A11) subway line.