Ginza and a Sushi Class in One Day

Ginza and Asakusa show two very different sides of Tokyo. Ginza is broad avenues, flagship stores, department store food halls and the Kabukiza theatre. Asakusa is temple lanes, old shopfronts and the feel of the city's traditional downtown. They are also joined by direct trains, which makes them an easy pair for one day: shopping or a show in Ginza, and a hands-on sushi class in Asakusa.

This guide covers the routes between the two, how to time the day around the class, and three simple plans. The class is our signature sushi and matcha class: about 90 minutes in English, in which you make nigiri and maki, share a sake toast, eat what you made and whisk your own matcha.

Getting between Ginza and Asakusa

There are two direct lines, so you can choose by where you are in Ginza.

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. Ginza Station is on the line that ends at Asakusa, so there is no transfer and no risk of missing your stop. The ride takes roughly 18 to 20 minutes. At Asakusa, use Exit 7; the published walk to our studio is about two minutes.

Toei Asakusa Line. Higashi-ginza Station, next to the Kabukiza theatre, is on the Toei Asakusa Line, which also runs directly to Asakusa. From Toei Asakusa Line Exit A5 the walk to the studio is about five minutes.

Exits and walking times differ by line, so check our guide to getting from Asakusa Station to the sushi class and the access page before you set off. If you are staying further west, our guide to reaching Asakusa from Shibuya or Shinjuku covers those routes; the Ginza Line passes through Ginza on the way.

Build the day around the class

The class is the one part of the day with a fixed start time. Guests are asked to arrive 10 minutes early to store belongings and wash hands, so plan your arrival at the studio door, not at the station.

Count back from that time: the walk from the station exit, the train ride, the walk to the platform in Ginza and a margin for crowds. Leaving your last Ginza stop about 40 minutes before the class start is a comfortable buffer. Ginza's department stores and underground passages are large, so allow a few extra minutes simply to find your way out of a building and down to the right platform.

Shopping bags are fine. The studio has space for belongings, and our FAQ notes luggage storage is available. If you are carrying a lot, mention it when you book. For more on fitting the 90 minutes into a full itinerary, see how long a sushi class takes.

Plan A: sushi for lunch, Ginza in the afternoon

This is the easiest shape for most visitors.

• Morning: a walk around Senso-ji before the busiest hours.
• Late morning or midday: the sushi class, which doubles as lunch.
• Afternoon: Ginza Line to Ginza for shopping, galleries and cafés.
• Evening: dinner in Ginza, then the train back to your hotel.

On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, part of Ginza's main avenue, Chuo-dori, is usually closed to traffic in the afternoon as a pedestrian zone. Check the current hours for your date, but if your day falls on a weekend, Plan A puts you in Ginza at the right time to enjoy it.

Plan B: Ginza in the morning, class in the afternoon

If you are staying in Ginza or nearby, reverse the order.

• Morning: an unhurried start in Ginza. Most department stores and many shops open around mid-morning, so check the hours of the places you want to visit.
• Early afternoon: Ginza Line to Asakusa for an afternoon class.
• Late afternoon: Senso-ji and Nakamise Street, about five minutes on foot from the studio, followed by an evening in Asakusa.

Because you eat a full plate of sushi in class, keep lunch light or skip it. Our guide to planning meals around a sushi class explains how to avoid arriving too full. Department store food halls are a good place to pick up a small snack or edible souvenirs rather than a big meal before class.

Plan C: a kabuki evening

Kabukiza in Higashi-ginza is a popular evening for visitors who want to see Japan's traditional theatre without committing to a full programme. The theatre has sold single-act tickets for some performances, with part of the allocation sold online from the day before and part on the day. The system can change, so check the official Kabuki Web site for current sales and performance times.

• Midday or early afternoon: the sushi class in Asakusa.
• Afternoon: Senso-ji, then the Toei Asakusa Line directly to Higashi-ginza.
• Evening: kabuki at Kabukiza, then dinner in Ginza.

Plan the class to end well before the show so you are not rushing between the two. Tsukiji Outer Market is also close to Higashi-ginza; if you are weighing a market visit against a class, our comparison of Tsukiji Market or a sushi class explains what each offers.

Small things that make the day easier

• Weather. Ginza has plenty of indoor shopping, and the class is indoors, so this plan works on a rainy day too.
• Drinks. The class includes a sake toast; water and Japanese green tea are available if you prefer not to drink alcohol, for example before a show.
• Dietary needs. Mention them when booking. A plant-based vegan sushi class runs in the same 90-minute format.
• Save the route. Screenshot your booking confirmation and the access map before going underground, in case your mobile signal drops.

Book the fixed point first

Ginza is flexible: you can shop, browse or eat for as long or as briefly as you like. The class is the part with a set time. Once you know which day you will spend in Ginza, check live dates on the signature class page, book the session that fits your plan, and build the rest of the day around it.