Edomae Sushi. 🍣
This is the birthplace of sushi as we know it. In Ginza, sushi is serious business. It is served piece by piece, seasoned by the chef (no extra soy sauce needed), often on warm vinegared rice.
Kyubey
The flagship of Ginza sushi. It is high-end but welcoming to foreigners. They invented the "Gunkan-maki" (battleship roll) for sea urchin.
Sushi no Midori
For those who don't want to spend $300. It offers incredible quality for the price, but you must line up 1 hour before opening.
Cafe de l'Ambre. ☕
A legendary "Kissaten" (coffee shop) that serves only coffee. No food, no milk, no sugar. They are famous for **"Aged Coffee"** made from beans stored for decades, treating coffee like vintage wine.
The Vibe
Dark, smoky, and retro. The interior hasn't changed in 70 years. It feels like stepping onto a movie set.
The Menu
Try the "Blanc et Noir" (Amber Queen). It's sweetened chilled coffee with a layer of cream floating on top. A masterpiece.
The Beans
You can order coffee made from beans from the 1970s or 80s. The flavor is syrupy, rich, and unlike modern coffee.
French Technique
Ginza Hachigou
Michelin Ramen. ⭐
**Ginza Hachigou** is a tiny 6-seat counter run by a former French chef. His ramen soup uses no tare (sauce), relying only on the stock (duck, chicken, prosciutto). It is elegant, clear, and has a Michelin star.
Queue Protocol:
There are no reservations. You must line up. People start queuing 1 hour before opening. It is one of the cheapest Michelin meals in the world (under ¥1,200).
Ginza Sembikiya. 🍈
In Japan, fruit is a luxury gift. Sembikiya is the Tiffany & Co. of fruit. Every melon, grape, and strawberry is perfectly shaped and flawlessly packaged.
The Fruit Parlor
The 2nd floor is a cafe where you can eat their world-famous fruit parfaits. It is the most accessible way to taste the luxury fruit.
The Musk Melon
Their crown jewel. These melons are massaged daily while growing and given "hats" to prevent sunburn. They taste like pure nectar.