Half-day plan for shopping and gourmet dining in Tokyo: Ginza and Nihonbashi

Ginza and Nihonbashi in Tokyo are popular shopping areas. Ginza developed in the Meiji era (1868–1912) as the first Western-style townscape in Japan, while Nihonbashi was a castle town during the Edo period (1603–1867). Both areas are full of attractive shops, from large-scale shopping complexes with high-end stores to traditional shops selling hand-crafted wares. There are a wide variety of dining options, including Muslim-friendly restaurants. 

Starting at the historic Tokyo Station

Start the day at Tokyo Station. The Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building was designed in 1914 and is famous for its red brick exterior. Immediately outside the Marunouchi central exit is Gyoko-dori Avenue, an excellent photo spot to capture the impressive front entrance of the building.

The Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building is designated an Important Cultural Property. Inside is the Tokyo Station Hotel. The quiet, elegant atmosphere will make you forget that you are in the middle of a bustling city.

On the second floor of the Tokyo Station Hotel is Toraya Tokyo, a café and shop that is a branch of a historic Japanese sweets shop from Kyoto. Enjoy beautiful Japanese traditional sweets made with seasonal ingredients in a stylish brick interior with a retro atmosphere. A popular, Muslim-friendly option is yokan, a sweet treat made of red beans, sugar, and agar. Their yokan gift boxes come in unique packaging that features the station building, which can make for a fun souvenir.

There is a prayer room in Tokyo Station with wudu facilities. It is located inside the JR East Travel Service Center at the Marunouchi North Gate. To use the room, inform the staff via an intercom and the door will be opened. The prayer room is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Be sure to check the JR East Travel Service Center (Tokyo Station) website for up-to-date opening hours.

The Tokyo Station Hotel
Address: 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo-to
TEL: +81-3-5220-1111
Access: Directly connected to Tokyo Station (via Marunouchi South Exit)

Toraya Tokyo
Address : The Tokyo Station Hotel 2F
TEL: +81-3-5220-2345
Open: Weekdays 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m (Last order 6:30 p.m.).; weekends and holidays 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m (Last order 5:30 p.m.).
Access: Second floor of The Tokyo Station Hotel at Tokyo Station

JR EAST Travel Service Center-Tokyo Station

Address: 1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo-to
TEL: +81-50-2016-1603
Open: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Water for ablution is available
JR Tokyo Station Prayer room

Tokyo Station Prayer Room in JR EAST Travel Service Center

Ginza: cutting-edge fashion and traditional masterpieces

Ginza is one stop from Tokyo Station by train. It is known for its luxury brand stores, but is also a place to enjoy traditional and contemporary Japanese culture and excellent cuisine. You can explore high-end fashion boutiques, bookstores dedicated to art, and traditional Japanese culture.

The Grand Ginza offers Muslim-friendly course meals if specified in advance for groups of 30 or more people (reservations need to be made 15 days in advance). The restaurant is responsive to requests concerning culinary preferences and allergies, allowing customers to relax and enjoy their meals in a luxurious setting. 

At the tempura specialist Ginza Itsuki, diners can enjoy Muslim-friendly tendon (rice topped with a variety of tempura).  

The Grand Ginza
Address: Ginza Six 13F, 6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo-to
TEL: +81-3-6280-6129
Open: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Last order 2:30 p.m.) / 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Last order 9:00 p.m.)
Access: From Ginza Station, approximately 2 minutes by foot, or 3 minutes by foot from  Higashi-ginza Station
The Grand Ginza

Ginza Itsuki
Address: Ginza-INZ 1, 2F, 3-1 Ginza Nishi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo-to
Open: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Last order 3:30 p.m.) / 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Last order 9:30 p.m.)
Access: From Ginza Station, approximately 3 minutes by foot
Ginza Itsuki

Explore the traditional merchant town of Nihonbashi

North of Ginza is Nihonbashi, a “town of merchants” since the Edo period (1603–1867). There are numerous stores in this district in which traditional crafts have been handed down for generations. 

Nihonbashi Information Center in COREDO Muromachi can assist you in your exploration of Japanese traditional arts and culture. Their services are offered in multiple languages, and they can recommend stores and products within Nihonbashi. The COREDO Muromachi complex has a range of shops where you can find traditional crafts such as lacquerware and gold leaf.

LUXE BURGERS & Sunny’s Table is a certified Halal hamburger bistro in the area where you can enjoy lamb-patty burgers. Halal wagyu menus and vegan menus are also available. 

COREDO Muromachi
Address: 2-2-1, Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo-to
Open: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (depends on the store）
Access: Directly connected to Mitsukoshimae Station

COREDO Muromachi

Nihonbashi Information Center
Address: B1 Floor, 2-2-1, Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo-to
TEL: +81-3-3242-2334 (English 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
Open: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays
Access: Directly connected to Mitsukoshimae Station

Nihonbashi Information Center

LUXE BURGERS & Sunny’s Table
Address: 6-13 Nihonbashi Kobunacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo-to
Open: 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Lunch served until 1:30 p.m. on weekdays)
Access: From Mitsukoshimae Station, approximately 7 minutes by foot. Alternatively, from Ningyocho Station, approximately 7 minutes by foot
LUXE BURGERS

Return to Tokyo Station to end the half-day adventure. Consider adding this plan to your trip or use it as inspiration for your very own travel itinerary when exploring Tokyo.