My Ginza Tokyo guide: What to do, eat and shop in Tokyo’s chic shopping district

From Ginza shopping streets to Tsukiji Fish Market eats, here’s what to eat, see and do in Ginza Tokyo.

There’s a reason why Singaporeans keep returning to Japan – and on my recent 4D3N trip, I experienced what the hype about Ginza, Tokyo was all about. Known for its glossy shopping streets, standout eats, and convenient access to the iconic Tsukiji Fish Market, this neighbourhood makes a strong case for first-timers and repeat visitors alike.

I checked into Koko Hotel Tsukiji Ginza for a short stay, and here’s my honest review of the stay, plus what to do in Ginza, where to eat, and the spots I’d recommend checking out most. Planning your own trip? Check out our Japan guides to inspire your itinerary – we’ve sussed out the best spots to enjoy Japan’s flower season, the top day trips from Tokyo and much more.

Koko Hotel Tsukiji Ginza: A convenient location without the bustle

Koko Hotel Tsukiji Ginza, a budget-friendly stay in Tokyo’s Chuo ward, was my home base for this trip. I checked into the King Size Double Room, a compact stay that came with the essentials. There are also self-service amenities like toothbrushes in the lobby if you need them. The room didn’t have much of a view (I recommend keeping the blinds drawn as it faces a residential building) and wasn’t generous with the space, but this isn’t uncommon with affordable stays in the area.

The biggest draw is its well-appointed location: it’s situated in Tsukiji, which is within walking distance of Ginza’s main shopping street, but with enough distance to make it a relatively quiet stay. It’s also an eight-minute walk away from Tsukiji train station, making it easy to get to other neighbourhoods like Shinjuku. Within the area, there’s no lack of places to grab a bite, with Tsukiji Fish Market and an array of restaurants nearby.

As for the hotel breakfast, the buffet spread was a pleasant surprise. It wasn’t extensive, but it was a quality spread for the price. Expect the usual continental breakfast dishes, alongside local Japanese eats. The quality was nothing to scoff at, either. The tuna sashimi had no hint of fishiness, and the mini dango balls were perfectly cooked and delightfully chewy.

I’d gladly have this breakfast again, but with Tsukiji Fish Market just a stone’s throw away – a bustling hub of fresh seafood, street eats and local restaurants – I headed out the next morning to explore one of Tokyo’s most popular markets.

TikTok-viral eats at Tsukiji Fish Market: Worth the hype?

With Tsukiji Fish Market a three-minute walk away, it was the perfect chance for me to suss out all the TikTok-viral eats at the popular foodie destination. When it comes to the viral tuna sashimi stall, Maguroya Kurogin, I recommend dropping by around 10am for a shorter wait. I only waited 15 minutes for sashimi that truly melted in my mouth.

This might be a fish market, but you’ll also see lines for meat stalls, too. I stopped by Yoshizawa, famed for its wagyu skewers that were smoky, juicy, and paired well with all the condiments. My favourites were the wasabi and ponzu sauce, but the meat was so succulent I’d gladly enjoy it on its own.

I’d say these spots are worth visiting once for first-timers. But if you’re crowd-averse, fret not: you’ll find similar quality wagyu and fish at top restaurants in the city.

After lunch, I went on a hunt for a matcha latte to wash it all down. Matcha Stand Maruni has been making waves on social media, so I joined the line for an iced matcha latte. The vibrant green hue looked promising, though it turned out more bitter and grainier than I’d expected. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t my favourite. Thankfully, this was Japan, so there was no lack of matcha spots to hit up – keep scrolling for the ones I loved in the area (with no queues!).

My first taste of unagi ramen

Just five minutes from the market, I found an unagi restaurant – with perhaps the best grilled eel I’ve had in Ginza Tokyo (or just in general). Yamada No Unagi is famed for unagi ramen, with set meals that offer ramen and rice options with your grilled eel. I liked the customisable system where you choose your preferred doneness for the noodles, and your portion size for the rice.

It looked like a hefty meal, but hey, I had to try it. The ramen broth was made by boiling eel bones, creating a thick and creamy consistency bursting with unagi flavour that coated each strand of noodle. The slices of grilled eel were some of the best unagi I’ve tried – tender, smoky, and glazed with a sweet-savoury unagi sauce. The ramen was topped with an egg yolk, which added a luscious richness to the smoky unagi and savoury broth.

While the unagi slices and the eel broth shared the spotlight for the ramen, I reckon the grilled unagi stood out more when enjoyed with plain rice and sauce. Its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and umami flavour took centre stage, with the unagi sauce pairing deliciously with rice.

Best no-queue matcha cafes in Ginza

It’s not tough to find hour-long queues for viral matcha cafes in the area, but I found a few under-the-radar spots (for now) to enjoy a less-rushed experience. After all, matcha runs are essential on the list of things to do in Ginza.

First up, Latte Art Mania Tokyo was a minimal hidden gem, known for – as its name suggests – amazing latte art. (Be sure to order milk instead of dairy alternatives, as the latter doesn’t come with latte art.) Sakura matcha was in season, so that’s what I opted for. It was a smooth, gentle matcha with mild vegetal notes enhanced by a hint of lightly floral sakura, topped with a sprinkle of pink sakura sugar icing.

My favourite matcha experience of this trip? Zen Punk Matcha. You’re invited to watch and appreciate the tea-making process as the staff whisk the verdant powder right in front of you, giving you a whiff of the matcha’s aroma. They take the tea-making process seriously here: there’s even a dedicated spotlight shining on the spot where the staff will present your final pour.

I usually have my sips unsweetened, but I recommend having yours slightly sweetened at this joint. The cafe uses Okinawa black sugar syrup, complementing the matcha’s vegetal, slightly umami notes with a sweet and subtly roasted fragrance. There are also flavours like kinako, salted caramel, and berry that I wish I had the time (or caffeine tolerance) to try in a day.

A tea-tasting worth slowing down for

Even if you have your go-to brews, a tea tasting in Japan is well worth carving out time for.
Matcha Cafe Wabi-Sabi was just a three-minute stroll from my hotel, featuring a tea-pairing experience that unfolded with five teas, each served with a complementary bite and best enjoyed from right to left.

I began with a dark chocolate cake and matcha, a lightly vegetal brew with slight astringency and a subtle, lingering bitterness. The bittersweet richness of the cake worked in harmony with the matcha, softening its bitterness and bringing out its natural sweetness and vegetal notes.

Next, the pairing that surprised me most: green tea with pickles. The green tea featured a gentle floral flavour and a mild aroma, giving me a delightful but unassuming sip. But alongside the punchy, sharp bite of Japanese pickles, one sip unexpectedly mellowed out the sharpness instantly.

Another highlight was the hojicha, made by roasting green tea leaves. Instead of being roasted for six hours, the cafe’s hojicha leaves are roasted for three days, which explains their enhanced aroma and natural sweetness with no astringency. Its roasted notes paired amazingly with the nutty cookie’s roasted soybean powder.

I’d recommend visiting this specialty tea cafe if you’re in the area – its service was warm and friendly, and the menu is a tea lover’s dream. There’s also a matcha pairing menu with sips from different regions, as well as ochazuke (a Japanese rice dish with tea and dashi broth poured over it) and other creations to try.

A Ginza shopping spree: Hits, misses and finds

Ask us what to do in Ginza and shopping will be on the list, which is why I loved that the hotel was just a walk away from Ginza’s main retail street. I enjoyed the 20-minute stroll, but you could also take the train – it’s just one stop away from the nearest train station from the hotel.

You’ll find the main shopping street where the iconic Ginza Six mall sits. Luxury brands abound in this district, from upscale brands like Chanel and Dior to mid-range luxury names like Coach. That said, it’s also home to high street and affordable finds (including a Don Quijote).

TikTok told me all the IT-girls are heading to ReFa to get their hair tools, so I popped in to take a look. Let me de-influence you from the popular items: the Heart Combs felt plasticky and didn’t smooth out frizz, and the Heart Brush wasn’t any better than the average brush.

Instead, I left with the Aile Brush, featuring an ergonomic shape designed to fit the scalp contours for a closer hair brushing experience. While the price tag is a little higher, the bristles are dense enough to detangle and smooth, and flexible enough to avoid causing any painful tugging.

A store that I always find time to visit when I’m in Japan? Forget Uniqlo and visit its sister brand GU for a wider range of fashion styles and pieces you won’t find in Singapore. I left with my second pair of pumps from the brand and resisted the urge to spend on the cold-weather sweaters that I knew I wouldn’t get any wear out of back home.

If you’re looking for a pair of cool sneakers, you can’t miss the Onitsuka Tiger’s Red Concept Store at Ginza. A three-storey hub with a cafe, and an entire floor dedicated to its popular Mexico 66 model (including archival pieces), it’s worth a peep even if you’re window shopping. Psst: for custom embroidery and personalisation services, pop into the brand’s Orange Concept Store nearby.

Overall, Ginza Tokyo makes the perfect starting point for any Japan trip – equal parts food, shopping, and easy exploring, all wrapped into one polished neighbourhood I’d gladly return to. And if you’re after convenient access to the best spots, but without the chaos of staying along the main retail street, I’d highly recommend making Tsukiji your home base. I reckon I’d be planning a return trip sooner than expected…

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