The longest shopping street in Japan is Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street in Osaka, which stretches about 2.6 km. Although not as long as its competitors, Togoshi Ginza shopping street, the longest shopping street in Tokyo with a total length of 1.3 km, is no less attractive as a destination where people can enjoy eating and walking around. Visit on a nice day, and make sure you come with an empty stomach!
The history of Togoshi Ginza shopping district, and how it got the name ‘Ginza’
Located in Shinagawa Ward, the Togoshi Ginza Shopping District consists of three shopping district promotion associations, with approximately 400 stores along the shopping street. The stores range from those selling fresh produce, croquettes and other prepared foods that can be eaten on the spot, and sweets stores, so both locals and tourists can enjoy the area for their own purposes.
It is said that there are more than 300 places in Japan named “Ginza” outside of Ginza, such as “Ebisu Ginza Dori” and “Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street,” but Togoshi Ginza Shopping Street was the first of these shopping streets to use the name “Ginza”, despite not being close to the Tokyo area of the same name. Its origin can be traced back to the characteristics of the land and the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
Around Togoshi Ginza, there are many place names with slopes in their name, such as “Shimizu-zaka,” “Miyamae-zaka,” and “Hachiman-zaka”. Because the shopping area was formed along the valley that ran from east to west, with these slopes feeding into the valley, the area had poor drainage and suffered from muddiness and flooding for a long time.
Then, in 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck. Hearing that the brick streets of Ginza had been devastated and that they were having trouble disposing of the large amount of brick rubble, the local store owners of the time went to Ginza to pick up the bricks, pulling a wheeled cart. The bricks were laid on the streets with poor drainage and used to renovate the now-walkable area, which helped forge the connection between Ginza and Togoshi Ginza.
How to get to Togoshi Ginza Shopping Street
The nearest stations to the Togoshi Ginza shopping street are Togoshi-Ginza Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line and Togoshi Station on the Toei Asakusa Line. No matter which station you go from, the shopping district is right in front of you when you exit the ticket gates. Both stations are located in the middle of the shopping district, so it is recommended to enjoy a stroll in whichever direction you feel like going once you get off the station. About 20 stores here sell their own unique version of the famous Togoshi Ginza croquette, so it’s worth hunting for your favourite flavour.
Popular places to visit in Togoshi Ginza
While it is fun to stroll around without any advance research, we recommend these five places for first-time visitors to Togoshi Ginza. From long-established stores in the shopping district to sweet stores just right for a break from eating and walking, join the locals and immerse yourself in the charm of the shopping district!
1. TORI&DELI
A variety of deli side dishes are available, including “gluten-free karaage” seasoned with various spices and a secret Monde Selection award-winning sauce, the hearty “jumbo chicken cutlet“, and chicken nanban made with authentic Kyushu sweet-and-sour sauce. Every day, the eat-in space is crowded with people enjoying an evening drink.
1-16-8 Togoshi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
2. Hyakuban
A 70-year old restaurant serving authentic regional Chinese cuisine, both in the restaurant and for take-out. The popular weekday-only “Evening Drinking Set”, a set of 3 dishes and a draft beer from a selection of about 30 types of dishes, is a bargain at 1,980 yen.
1-15-15 Togoshi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
3. MEAT&DELI 355
Opened in 2019, the stylish storefront is an eye-catching, cut-to-order butcher store featuring A5 brand-name Wagyu beef. As the only wine shop in Togoshi Ginza, it offers a wide selection of wines and holds wine parties on a regular basis.
Onozawa Building 1F, 2-6-8 Togoshi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
4. Shirokuma Cafe
Located at the end of the shopping street, and filled with stuffed polar bears, figurines, and picture books everywhere, the red roof of this café is the marker to look for. The menu includes crepes, cakes, and other standard sweets, but we recommend the long soft-serve ice cream, which seems to be twice as big as your usual soft serve. Try it at the end of your food-filled walk.
3-4-2 Hiratsuka, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
5. Togoshi Ginza Onsen
Lastly, we’d recommend Togoshi Ginza Onsen, which has an open-air bath and sauna. The “Yo-no-yu” and “Tsuki-no-yu” baths, which differ in colour tones, murals, and bathtubs, all alternate daily between men and women. There’s a mural of Mount Fuji in the “Tsuki-no-Yu” bath created by Gravityfree, who focuses on live painting. The adult bathing fee is 500 yen.
2-1-6 Togoshi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo