If you want a “quiet craft” night in Tokyo, bars in ginza are the easiest place to do it: small rooms, polished service, and predictable pacing.
Plan two stops, not five. Use official access pages for walk times, budget for a cover + 1–2 drinks, and keep your Japanese simple.
Below is a step-by-step route guide with official Japanese sources for access, hours, and basic rules.
Ginza nightlife is built around “designed calm.” Many venues are counter-led (you sit close to the bartender), lighting is soft, and the “flow” is structured: greet, order simply, receive a carefully made drink, and keep conversation at a comfortable volume. This is not about loud performance—it’s about choreography and hospitality.
In practical terms, you’ll see (1) classic cocktail bars with hand-finished ice and precise stirring, (2) hotel main bars that are easy for visitors, and (3) historic Ginza bars that feel like living archives of Tokyo’s postwar drinking culture. On weekends and holidays, the main street becomes a pedestrian zone at midday (useful for daytime scouting), described on the Ginza official site:
Pedestrian zone (Japanese).
Audience-wise, Ginza works for travelers and residents alike: people who want a controlled, polite environment; solo visitors who prefer a counter seat; and small pairs who want a relaxed “one good drink” experience.
1. Where should you start with bars in ginza?
1-1 What “Ginza” means at night
Conclusion: Ginza is best understood as a maintained “street culture,” not a single venue cluster. Numbers: the main street pedestrian zone runs 12:00–17:00 (Oct–Mar) and 12:00–18:00 (Apr–Sep), which matters for daytime scouting and weekend traffic flow. Source:
Ginza official pedestrian zone page (Japanese).
The neighborhood is actively managed by local associations and member shops. If you want a “street-level” understanding (events, community maintenance, and how Ginza frames itself), the local association site is useful background:
Ginza Street Association (Japanese).
1-2 The Ginza bar “script” in plain English
A typical Ginza bar visit is intentionally time-boxed and calm: you enter, greet staff, confirm seating, order with a few clear preferences (spirit + style + sweetness), and then let the bartender lead. A good example of this “craft-forward but friendly” approach is visible even on store pages that emphasize a specific house style—like STAR BAR’s Ginza shop page, which also publishes clear operating hours:
STAR BAR Ginza (Japanese).
Tip: If you feel unsure, don’t over-explain. Use one sentence: “I like whisky, not sweet” (ウイスキー系で、甘くないのが好きです). Then let the bartender ask one follow-up question.
1-3 A simple two-stop plan
Conclusion: A two-stop plan is the easiest way to get the “Ginza feel” without fatigue. Numbers: plan 2 venues, 1–2 drinks each, and a total stay of roughly 90–150 minutes (depending on seat availability). Source for a clear “open-late” reference point:
Old Imperial Bar (Japanese).
Use one “easy” first stop (hotel bar or large venue) and a second stop that is smaller and more specialized. If the second stop is full, you still had a complete night.
※参考情報（editor’s note）: The 90–150 minute pacing is a planning band based on typical drink-and-conversation rhythm; individual venues vary.
2. How do you access top Ginza bar areas?
2-1 Central Ginza exits and landmarks
Conclusion: GINZA SIX is the fastest “center marker” for visitors. Numbers: it’s 2 minutes from Ginza Station A3 exit and 3 minutes from Higashi-Ginza Station A1 exit. Source:
GINZA SIX access (Japanese).
Conclusion: If you want to verify exits visually, use Tokyo Metro’s official station yard map. Numbers: the map is for Ginza Station (Ginza Line / Marunouchi Line / Hibiya Line) and includes exit guidance. Source:
Tokyo Metro Ginza Station yard map (Japanese).
Notice: On weekends/holidays, the main street can become pedestrian-only at midday. Conclusion: expect different vehicle routes. Numbers: 12:00–17:00 (Oct–Mar) / 12:00–18:00 (Apr–Sep). Source:
GINZA SIX access notes (Japanese).
2-2 Corridor Street for bar hopping
Conclusion: If your goal is “walkable bar hopping” with minimal decision stress, Ginza Corridor is a reliable base. Numbers: it’s about 5 minutes on foot from Tokyo Metro Ginza Station (C-1 / C-2 exits). Source:
The Royal Park Canvas Ginza Corridor (Japanese).
The same official page describes the Corridor concept as a “bar complex” approach—multiple bar styles in one building—useful when you want variety without long walks:
Ginza Corridor bar concept (Japanese).
2-3 Late hours and rooftop views
Conclusion: For a “late and scenic” drink, a rooftop-style venue is the easiest way to stretch your night without rushing. Numbers: one Ginza option publishes very late weekday hours—12:00–26:00 (last order 25:30) on Mon–Fri, and access from Ginza Station A4 exit in 4 minutes. Source:
Mori Bar Gran (Japanese).
Table 1: Access & Hours
| Hub / Venue | Station / Exit | Walk Time | Published Hours | Official (JP Link) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GINZA SIX (central marker) | Ginza Sta. A3 / Higashi-Ginza Sta. A1 | 2 min / 3 min | (Access page includes route notes; see source) | Official website (Japanese) |
| Ginza Corridor base (bar complex area) | Ginza Sta. C-1 / C-2 | ~5 min | (Access list published; see source) | Official website (Japanese) |
| Late-hours rooftop-style bar option | Ginza Sta. A4 | 4 min | 12:00–26:00 (L.O. 25:30, Mon–Fri) | Official website (Japanese) |
Use these as “anchors.” Once you reach an anchor, most Ginza bar moves become short, simple walks.
3. What will it cost, and who can enter?
3-1 The baseline budget (cover + drinks)
Conclusion: A hotel bar is the easiest “price reference” because it publishes minimum pricing and service terms. Numbers: Old Imperial Bar lists fees from ¥1,400 and notes that displayed amounts include service charge and tax. Source:
Old Imperial Bar (Japanese).
For smaller cocktail bars, pricing often depends on spirit choice, vintage, and house style. Plan around a cover (“table charge”) plus at least one drink, and treat your first night as a learning run.
※参考情報（editor’s note）: Many independent Ginza bars do not publish full menus online; expect variability and confirm totals politely when ordering.
3-2 Time, last order, and pacing
Conclusion: Ginza nights run on clear “last order” rhythms. Numbers: Old Imperial Bar publishes 11:30–24:00 with last order 23:30. Source:
Old Imperial Bar hours (Japanese).
Conclusion: Some venues run very late on weekdays, which helps if you want a second drink after dinner without rushing. Numbers: one Ginza venue publishes weekday hours up to 26:00. Source:
Mori Bar Gran (Japanese).
3-3 Age, ID, and payment basics
Conclusion: Your plan only works if you can enter smoothly. Numbers: Japan’s underage drinking law prohibits drinking under 20. Source:
e-Gov law page (Japanese).
Conclusion: Individual venues may set a strict 20+ rule at the door. Numbers: Old Imperial Bar states “20歳未満のお客様はご利用いただけません”. Source:
Old Imperial Bar notes (Japanese).
Table 2: Venue Types & Base Fees
| Venue Type | Typical Fee | Session Time | Area (JP Link) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel main bar (easy entry, published rules) | From ¥1,400 (published) | 45–90 min typical | Official website (Japanese) |
| Classic cocktail bar (counter craft) | ¥3,000–¥8,000 planning band | 60–120 min | Official website (Japanese) |
| Bar complex area (several bar styles in one building) | ¥2,000–¥7,000 planning band | 90–150 min for 2 stops | Official website (Japanese) |
| Late-hours rooftop-style bar | ¥3,000–¥9,000 planning band | 60–120 min | Official website (Japanese) |
“Planning band” rows are for budgeting, not guarantees. Use published venue pages to confirm rules; for independent bars, confirm politely at the counter.
4. Which Ginza bar types match your taste?
4-1 Classic cocktail bars (quiet craft)
Conclusion: If you want the “Ginza craft” archetype, look for bars that publish a clear identity and stable operating hours. Numbers: STAR BAR Ginza publishes 17:00–23:30, is open daily, and is non-smoking. Source:
STAR BAR Ginza (Japanese).
These bars typically shine when you order with constraints instead of a brand name: “gin-based, not sweet,” or “whisky, stirred, strong.” The bartender can then build something precise and personal without a long back-and-forth.
4-2 Hotel main bars (easy for visitors)
Conclusion: Hotel bars reduce friction: clear rules, predictable service, and published payment methods. Numbers: Old Imperial Bar publishes a wide range of cashless options (cards + electronic payment) and notes prices are tax/service-inclusive. Source:
Old Imperial Bar store info (Japanese).
If this is your first Ginza night, a hotel bar can be the best “warm-up” stop: you learn the pace and etiquette in an environment designed for international guests.
4-3 Historic “old Ginza” bars
Conclusion: Historic bars are less about novelty and more about atmosphere—like stepping into a preserved chapter of Tokyo nightlife. Numbers: many publish stable evening opening windows around 17:00–23:30 with a last order before close (varies by venue). Source example (hours published on official page):
STAR BAR Ginza (Japanese).
※参考情報（editor’s note）: Some classic Ginza venues have older websites that are intermittently reachable. If a page does not load, use the venue phone number (if published) or ask your hotel concierge to confirm current opening days.
