Ginza, the 'place where silver is minted', took its name after Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu started making coins here in the 17th century. Over time, Ginza's Chuo-dori grew to become Tokyo's most fashionable shopping street, and, though some of its shine has since faded, Ginza still retains much of its elegance. Here, you'll find the greatest concentration of exclusive shops, galleries, and restaurants in the city, as well as branches of the most major departmental stores. 
 

Chuo-dori on Sundays

The best way to see traditional Japanese theater is to go to Kabuki-za in Ginza for a single act, or hitomaku-mi, which lasts between one and two hours. You can choose to pay for an English audio guide which describes the play while you watch. You can also see the complete kabuki play, but this is a lengthy affair, and ticket prices can range from ¥3500 to ¥20,000. Kabuki-za was demolished in April 2010, with a new, rebuilt version to be ready by 2013.

On Sundays, traffic in Ginza is cordoned off and the main street, Chuo-dori, becomes a pedestrian shopper's haven. 

Getting There: Ginza, Hibiya, or Marunouchi lines to Ginza station