Shop 'Til you Drop in the Ginza District

Tokyo's main retail district, Ginza, is much older and as well-known as Times Square in New York. In fact, it has served as the nation's commercial center for centuries and is the junction of five historic routes that connect Japan's largest cities.

The Ginza district, which is lined with upscale boutiques and magnificent royal buildings, is also enjoyable to stroll around. Even better, have a seat at one of the numerous restaurants or tea and coffee shops there and watch people rush past. It is one of the world's largest pedestrian zones on weekends when everything is open and traffic is prohibited, making it a shoppers' paradise. Ginza is lighted by huge neon advertising panels that cover many of its buildings at night. Along with the Shinbashi Enbuj Theatre, which holds performances of Azuma-Odori dances and Bunraku, it is also home to the renowned Kabuki-za Theatre (see #12 below), where traditional Kabuki performances are held.