Ginza Back Alley Walking Tour: Hidden shrines and local shops

Walk between Ginza's glittering main streets and discover the narrow alleys locals have known for generations

A two-hour guided walking tour of Ginza's backstreets takes you past the Wako Building and Mitsukoshi Lion, then into six narrow alleys where small shops have survived since the wartime period and hidden shrines sit tucked between buildings. Your English-speaking guide explains how this district grew from a silver mint into Tokyo's most fashionable neighborhood, and points out details most visitors miss: angel and monkey figures carved into storefronts, the Toyoiwa Inari Shrine that has stood since the early Edo period, and the Kojun Building that shaped Ginza's modern form. The tour ends at the Kabuki-za Theater.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ginza Mitsukoshi15m
2. Kabukiza Theatre10m

Explore Ginza's front and back alleys

• Begin at Ginza birthplace
• Visit Wako Building and Mitsukoshi Lion
• Explore busy streets and back alleys
• Learn about former Kojun Building
• Walk past Toyoiwa Inari Shrine
• Photograph old alleys and visit shrines
• Finish at Kabuki-za Theater

The experience

Most visitors to Ginza see the luxury shops and high-end restaurants on the main streets. This tour flips that by starting there (at the birthplace of the district, where your guide explains how a simple silver mint became one of Tokyo's most iconic neighborhoods), then moving into the backstreets where the real texture of Ginza lives. You'll pass the Wako Building and the Mitsukoshi Lion statue, spot hidden figures carved into narrow alley walls, and find a shrine tucked into a lane most foot traffic misses entirely.

The backstreets themselves are the point. Some of the small shops lining these alleys have been open since the wartime period, offering a rare look at how Ginza felt before it became a luxury destination. You'll walk past the Toyoiwa Inari Shrine, which has been cherished by locals, including famous Kabuki actors, since the early Edo period, and learn how the former Kojun Building influenced the shape of the whole district. The route moves between busy main streets and maze-like passages, so you get both sides of Ginza in a single morning or afternoon.

The tour runs two hours of continuous walking, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water in summer. Your guide provides cooling towels. You'll finish at the Kabuki-za Theater, Ginza's most recognizable landmark, where you can photograph the old-fashioned alleys nearby and visit small neighborhood shrines before heading out.

What’s included

• An English-speaking guide leading the two-hour walk.
• access to six of Ginza's back alleys and the district's famous front streets.
• cooling towels provided in summer.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by gotcha

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour led by a guide, so you follow the route and pace they set rather than exploring on your own. It suits anyone who wants the backstreet context and the hidden details a local would point out, and who can manage two hours of steady walking in comfortable shoes.

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Top questions

What is the Toyoiwa Inari Shrine and why does it matter to Ginza?

The Toyoiwa Inari Shrine has stood in Ginza since the early Edo period and has long been cherished by locals, including famous Kabuki actors. You'll walk past it during the tour as part of the backstreet section.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour involves about two hours of continuous walking through Ginza's backstreets and main streets. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and you should bring drinking water in summer.

What is the Wako Building and the Mitsukoshi Lion statue?

Both are famous symbols of Ginza that you'll visit early in the tour. The Mitsukoshi Lion statue sits outside Ginza Mitsukoshi, one of the district's most recognizable landmarks, and the Wako Building is another iconic structure on the main streets.

Does this tour include Kabuki viewing at the Kabuki-za Theater?

No, Kabuki viewing is not included. The tour ends at the Kabuki-za Theater, where you can photograph it and the old-fashioned alleys nearby, but entry to performances is separate.

What makes the backstreets different from the main streets in Ginza?

The backstreets are narrow, maze-like alleys home to small shops that have operated since the wartime period, hidden shrines, and carved figures most visitors never see. The main streets are where the luxury brands and high-end restaurants sit, so the tour shows you both sides of the district.