The old luxury quarter and the densest concentration of starred sushi counters on earth, with cocktail bars and depachika basements layered between department stores.
Toshihiro Wada's Bird Land in Tokyo Ginza grills Ibaraki shamo over binchotan, the basement that invented elevated yakitori. One Michelin star.
Signature: Shamo chicken liver pate, Tsukune meatball, Oyakodon rice closer
Order: The omakase course closing with the oyakodon rice and silken liver pate as the opener.
Tip: Closed Sundays, Mondays and public holidays. Reservation by phone only, six weeks out.
Ginza Okuda in Tokyo's Ginza is Toru Okuda's two-Michelin-star kaiseki room. The seasonal seven-course menu changes monthly, paired with regional sake.
Signature: Seasonal kaiseki course, Charcoal-grilled hamo pike conger, Sake-paired closing rice
Order: The full omakase course; the charcoal-grilled hamo in summer is the seasonal pull.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Reserve via Pocket Concierge 60 days ahead; English staff handle the booking flow.
Ginza Yoshihiro in Tokyo's Pola Ginza tower is the two-Michelin-star tempura counter where Yoshihiro Murata fries each piece to order on white-flame charcoal.
Signature: Tempura omakase course, Anago saltwater eel tempura, Maitake mushroom tempura
Order: Omakase tempura course with anago and maitake; lunch is half the dinner spend.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Reserve via Tableall 60 days ahead; lunch seating opens earlier.
Ginza Shinohara in Tokyo's Kanda is Tetsuya Shinohara's three-Michelin-star kaiseki room. Counter-only, dramatic platings on lacquered shogi-board stands.
Signature: Seasonal kaiseki course, Hairy crab in season, Charcoal-grilled wagyu beef
Order: The full omakase kaiseki; hairy crab and shaved wagyu are the showstoppers when in season.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Reserve via Tableall 90 days ahead; the menu is presented as a single seasonal arc.
Bar Orchard Ginza is Takuo and Sumire Miyanohara's fruit-driven cocktail counter on the 7th floor of a small Ginza building. No menu, pick a fruit.
Tip: Take the lift to 7F. No phones, parties of four max. Cover charge 1,000 yen, closed Sundays.