There are my favourite places to go on a date night in Ginza.
For a formal date night spot I recommend The Apollo in Ginza.
It’s actually Australian-Greek fusion and it’s worth going for champagne and the saganaki alone!
It feels dressy and special and buzzing. Reservations recommended.
It’s more of a special occasion spot so see the website to see if it matches your budget. The staff also speak English well if you wanted to give them a call.
THE APOLLO GINZA
銀座５-２−１ 東急プラザ銀座 11F
11F TOKYU PLAZA GINZA, 5-2-1 GINZA
OPEN 11AM-11PM
If you go to the Nissan Crossing Cafe (exit A3, A4 or A5 of the Ginza subway station) second floor there is not only a cool view one of Ginza’s major intersections but also they offer to take your picture and then scan it onto you coffee foam!
They have cafe latte and matcha (green tea) lattes.
There is also a small cookie and cake selection. Also the cafe space itself is quite spacious (for Tokyo).
There are elevators up to the second floor.
Nissan Crossing is a global flagship gallery for Nissan. It is free to walk in and take a look around.
The Sony Showroom is on the 4th and 5th floors of the same building, if you’re interested.
NISSAN CROSSING
中央区銀座5-8-1
5-8-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN 10AM-8PM
And then just 3 minutes away (on foot) is the beautiful and brand new Ginza Six department store.
And did you know that there is a lovely green rooftop space on the top floor of Ginza 6?
Pack a bento if you’re watching your cash – and eat here!
It’s quite refreshing, actually.
In warmer months there are often pop up cafes and bars here too.
中央区銀座6-10-1
6-10-1 GINZA, CHUO-KU
SHOPS OPEN 10:30AM-8:30PM
RESTAURANTS OPEN 11AM-11:30PM
A date MORNING suggestion in Ginza
Make reservations 2 weeks ahead if you want to eat those fluffy, jiggly viral Japanese pancakes by visiting A Happy Pancake Ginza (see here for my full list of things to book in advance when visiting Japan with kids.) It is possible to just turn up but wait times can be up to 45 mins long AND some places only take walk-ins until they are sold out. Reservations for famous restaurant called “A Happy Pancake” (also referred to as Shiawase no Pancake in Japanese -and is sometimes spelled this way on google maps) open exactly 2 weeks ahead of your preferred dining date. Reservations open two weeks in advance at midnight Japan time! They have restaurants in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Fukuoka and Okinawa.
Click here to make A Happy Pancake reservation for you and your family. You will need to make an account and log in to do so (so this before midnight to ensure your reservation is as quick as possible.)
The Happy Pancake Ginza store is just 2 mins walk from Ginza Station (use Exit A5.) Budget 2000 yen per person to dine here. They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
A HAPPY PANCAKE GINZA
中央区銀座5-8-5 ニューギンザビル10号館 7F-B
7TH FLOOR-B, NEW GINZA BUILDING NO. 10, 5-8-5 GINZA, CHUO-KU
OPEN WEEKDAYS 10:30AM-7:30PM (LAST ORDERS 6:45PM)
*Please note! Pancakes are only sold until 2:30pm!
OPEN WEEKENDS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 10AM-8:30PM
*Please note! Pancakes are only sold until 2:30pm!
Next, I’d move on to Tír na nÓg (formerly Iron fairies) in Ginza for cocktails.
Perhaps a fairy floss (cotton candy) cocktail? Or a cocktail that contains a squid tentacle or some wasabi perhaps?
If you live in Tokyo I’m sure you’ve sampled this “fairy world” bar in Ginza. It’s easy as the staff speak English and I’d only recommend booking if you have more than 4 people in your party. Just wander in and say cheers to the fairy dust and butterflies. There is often live music here too.
Drinks are around 2000 yen each.
Tír na nÓg (FORMERLY IRON FAIRIES) GINZA
中央区銀座5-9-5チアーズ銀座B1F
CHEERS GINZA BASEMENT FLOOR 1, 5-9-5 GINZA, CHUO-KU, TOKYO
OPEN 7PM – 4AM EVERYDAY EXCEPT FOR SUNDAYS WHICH IS OPEN 6PM-MIDNIGHT
ALSO OPEN AS A CAFE 11AM-7PM
And then , if you want to wanted to go for dancing?
I LOVE Soul Dining Bar Ginza Magic.
It’s not a big wild club – its a little hidden hole in the wall type of deal where they play 60s, 70s and 80s music. And it is so frigging cool and perfect for a date night in Ginza.
It’s usually very quiet before 10pm so it’s better to go later.
SOUL DINING BAR GINZA MAGIC
中央区銀座7-7-9, 銀座山市ビル1・2Ｆ
GROUND & 1ST FLOOR, GINZA YAMASHI BUILDING, 7-7-9 GINZA, CHUO-KU
COVER CHARGE IS FREE – UNLESS THERE IS A SPECIAL EVENT (CHECK WEBSITE FOR DETAILS)
Don Quijote Ginza Honkan is also open 24 hours a day so that is a good idea for some shopping / souvenirs. 12 mins walk from Ginza Station.
If you are after other date night ideas, see my Tokyo style date nights post or if you’d rather stick to one area at a time, here are my recommendations for Shibuya & Roppongi too.
Another tip for before the date night in Ginza:
If you would like to get an English speaking hair blow dry in Ginza, Jet Set Blow Dry Salon is opening a new salon only 7 minutes walk from Ginza Station.
If you are looking for especially LGBTQ+ date night ideas in Tokyo, I highly recommend taking at look at Japan Gay Guide.
