On your trip to Japan, you may be looking for a shopping experience in Tokyo, a place full of quality products. Ginza and Nihonbashi, Japan’s leading shopping areas, are two fine places to stroll about. Nihonbashi developed rapidly as a castle town during the Edo period (1600-1868), while Ginza developed in the Meiji era (1868-1912) as the first in Japan with a Western-style townscape marked by rows of brick buildings. Both areas are cram-full of attractive shops of all types, from large-scale shopping complexes and flagship stores of high-end brands to traditional old craft shops offering goods of refined taste. Here you will find a variety of delicate, beautifully crafted products attuned to your artistic sensibilities.
Ginza and Nihonbashi also offer excellent cuisine, including a variety of Muslim-friendly restaurants. This plan is one you’ll want to place high on your list, as it contains many shops suitable for Muslim tourists.

Your day of shopping begins at historic Tokyo Station

The tour departs from Tokyo Station. The Marunouchi Station Building, with its impressive red bricks, is restored to look as it did over 100 years ago. Immediately after stepping out from the Marunouchi central exit, Gyoko Street awaits you. It is an excellent photo spot, as you can capture the Marunouchi Station Building from directly in front.

The Marunouchi Station Building is designated an Important Cultural Property. Inside is the luxurious THE TOKYO STATION HOTEL. Its quiet, elegant mood will make you forget you are in the middle of the city.

On the 2nd floor is a café (TORAYA TOKYO) with a retro atmosphere, run by a long-establish Japanese sweets shop. Surrounded by century-old yet stylish brickwall interior, you can enjoy beautiful Japanese traditional sweets made with seasonal ingredients. A Muslim-friendly option would be the popular “Yokan” (sweet bean jelly), a stick-shaped treat made of red beans, sugar, and agar. Yokan here comes in store-limited packaging featuring the station building, making for the perfect souvenir.

In Tokyo Station, there is a prayer room with a Wudu facility as well. It is located inside the JR East Travel Service Center at the Marunouchi North Gate of the Tokyo Station building. To use the room, inform the staff via an intercom and the door will be opened. At the time of this article, the prayer room is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, 365 days a year. Remember to check the website of JR East Travel Service Center (Tokyo Station) for up-to-date opening hours.

Within Tokyo Station are numerous shops ranging from traditional to fashionable. Each shop carries special sweets and gifts according to its specific concept, including Muslim-friendly items. Take your time to explore the range of products, and bring home delicious souvenirs.

THE TOKYO STATION HOTEL
Address: 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0005, Japan
TEL: +81-3-5220-1111
Access: Directly connected to Tokyo Station (via Marunouchi South Exit)

TORAYA TOKYO
Address : THE TOKYO STATION HOTEL２F
TEL: +81-3-5220-2345
Open: 10:00～20:00
Access: Tokyo Station (THE TOKYO STATION HOTEL, 2nd floor)

Tokyo Station Prayer Room in JR EAST Travel Service Center
Tokyo Station Prayer Room in JR EAST Travel Service Center
URL

GRANSTA MARUNOUCHI（NOMONO）
Address : Tokyo Station B1 floor GRANSTA MARUNOUCHI
Open: Mon-Sat: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm, Sundays and last day of holidays: 7:00 am -9:00 pm
Access: Tokyo Station (GRANSTA MARUNOUCHI, Floor B1)

Ginza, with its cutting-edge fashion and traditional masterpieces

Now we are in Ginza, one stop from Tokyo Station by train. Ginza is packed with high-end brand shops, and is also a place to enjoy fine articles of Japanese traditional and modern culture along with excellent cuisine. This is one of the Japan’s finest areas, where you can encounter a myriad of splendid goods in luxurious fashion shops, bookstores dedicated to art and Japanese culture, and traditional stores specializing in aromatic incense and washi (Japanese paper).

THE GRAND GINZA offers Muslim-friendly course meals if booked in advance. They restaurant is responsive to requests concerning personal preferences and allergies, so relax, dress up and enjoy meals in a luxurious setting.

At Tendon restaurant Tendon Ginza Itsuki, every item on the menu is Muslim-friendly. Nestled among the many high-class shops of Ginza, the restaurant offers voluminous meals at reasonable prices. Enjoy your fill of high-quality, freshly deep-fried tempura served on rice.

Ginza has many long-established traditional stores that have been in operation for hundreds of years. Here you can shop for aromatic scents and for products using paper and patterns that Japan is famous for. KYUKYODO INCENSE is made of natural ingredients such as sandalwood or agarwood, and every product is encased in a beautiful box. “Nihohi bukuro” (scent bag) is a scent product that can be enjoyed without the need for burning, making it handy to carry about. These scent bags are also decorated with Japanese traditional patterns, readily suitable to be given as souvenirs. They are also a convenient way to transfer the fragrance to your hijabs and other clothes. With the multitude of scents offered here, picking out something you like is sure to be a highlight of your trip.

The Gran Ginza
Address: Ginza Six 13th Floor, 6-10-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
TEL: +81-3-6280-6129
Open: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (L.O. 14：30) / 5:00 pm – 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Access: Tokyo-Metro Ginza station (2-min walk from Exit A3) /
Tokyo-Metro Higashiginza station (3-min walk from Exit A1)

Tendon Ginza Itsuki
Tendon Ginza Itsuki
Address: Ginza Inz 2F, 3-1 Ginza Nishi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
TEL: +81-3-6263-298
Open: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm / 5:30 pm – 11:15 pm
Access: 3-min walk from Tokyo-Metro Ginza Station

Appreciate Japanese craftmanship in a merchant town of the Edo Period

North of Ginza is Nihonbashi, a “town of merchants” since the Edo Period (1600-1868). In this district are numerous stores that to this day have handed down their traditional craftsmanship. The COREDO Muromachi complex in particular, allows you to feel the quaintness and liveliness of traditional Nihonbashi business practices from back then.

Nihonbashi Information Center in COREDO Muromachi will assist you in your exploration of Japanese traditional and culture. In multiple languages, they can also recommend fine stores and seasonal products within the Nihonbashi area. If you have trouble choosing stores, drop in for some useful advice.

COREDO Muromachi has many shops as well. One sells accessories and tableware, the products using sophisticated gold-leaf craftsmanship popular in Quran decoration or calligraphic art. The shop is run by a manufacturer that produces its gold leaf according to a traditional style. The gold leaf has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage item, and it is used for renovating National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. A plate decorated with beautiful gold leaf is exquisite to observe, and a perfect receptacle for Quran or misbaha. Purchase the accessories with Japanese traditional designs for yourself as a memory of Japan. Also, you can enjoy the novel experience of eating gold leaf on beautiful sweets or sprinkled over food. Enjoy the various charms of gold leaf in the form of your choice.

COREDO Muromachi
Address: 2-2-1, Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Open: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm (depends on the store）
Access: Directly connected to Tokyo-Metro Mitsukoshimae Station (Exit A6) /
JR Shinnihombashi Station

Nihonbashi Information Center (Nihonbashi Annaijyo)
Address: B1 Floor, 2-2-1, Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
TEL: +81-3-3242-2334 (English 11:00 am – 7:00 pm)
Open: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Access: Directly connected to Tokyo-Metro Mitsukoshimae Station (Exit A6) /
JR Shinnihombashi Station

LUXE BURGERS ＆ Sunny‘s Table
LUXE BURGERS ＆ Sunny‘s Table
Address: 6-13, Nihonbashi Kobunacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
TEL: +81-3-6206-2466
Open: Tue-Fri: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm / 5:00 pm-8:45 pm, Sat-Sun & Holidays: 11:30 am -8:30 pm
Closed: Monday
Access: Tokyo-Metro Mitsukoshimae station (7-min walk from Exit A4) /
Tokyo-Metro Kodenmacho-station (7-min walk from Exit No.3)

The fun-filled Half-day plan ends with a return to the point of departure, Tokyo Station. Consider adding this plan to your trip for a wholly satisfying shopping and gourmet dining experience in the heart of Tokyo, or use it as inspiration for your very own travel itinerary.