Tasting Tokyo Luxury: Glamorous Ginza to Hatchobori’s Hidden Gems

I surprised my parents with an 8-day culinary expedition across Tokyo this holiday season. My parents deserve THE BEST, so we headed to the luxury shopping district of Ginza. We also share a few hidden gems in nearby Hatchobori, where we enjoyed an unforgettable omakase experience. Our time in Ginza and Hatchobori was a perfect showcase of Tokyo’s modern take on tradition and its dedication to gourmet cuisine.

Ginza & Hatchobori: Luxury Shopping and Gourmet Eats

The Ginza and Hatchobori areas of Tokyo were major hubs for finance and business, respectively, in the Edo Period. Today, that has developed this area’s reputation as the luxury goods district of Tokyo. Japan’s department stores have long been known to be hidden treasure troves for GREAT FOOD. Down in the basements of Ginza’s various boutique department stores, you’ll find a selection of Japan’s finest eats.

Mitsukoshi Ginza‘s basement is a perfect example, designed for those who appreciate the finer things in life but in a chill, approachable way. We spent our afternoon shopping there, then enjoying their AMAZING gourmet stalls!

Meruhenk Ginza: Must-Try Japanese Fruit Sandwich

During the Edo period, specialty regional fruit increased in popularity, and Fruit Sando was born as a way to elevate the newly available ingredients in cafes. Combining the fresh fruits of different regions with the luxuries of cream and fluffy Japanese bread, Fruit Sando is now EVERYWHERE in Japan. Meruhenk Sando in particular, expanded this recipe. While they offer both savory and sweet sandwiches, we opted for the mixed fruit sandwich, with strawberry, kiwi, and peach.

Biting through the soft bread and cream, the fruit becomes the star. Each bite was SO distinctly fruity and custardy. This fruit sando was a delicious, ready-made snack that showed off Japan’s unique “grab and go” culture, meticulously grown ingredients, and tradition. If you’re ever in the basement of Mitsukoshi Ginza, DEFINITELY pick up a fruit sando!

Foundry: Art In The Form Of Cakes

Foundry, in Mitsukoshi Ginza‘s basement food hall, is a popular bakery amongst the younger Japanese crowd. With their elegant pastries, elaborate cookie gift boxes, and expertly baked breads, it’s easy to see why! Each baked good they make looks like a little present!

We grabbed a strawberry shortcake and some milk bread to try, and they were SO GOOD! The light, fluffy sponge cake was layered with luscious whipped cream and crowned with the freshest, juiciest strawberries. For a sweet tooth like Dom, this strawberry shortcake was definitely a MUST TRY.

Iconic Karepan at Johan Ginza: Curry-Filled Delight

As you enter the basement food court of Mitsukoshi Ginza, the smell of freshly baked curry buns at Johan made us SO SNACKY. We had to grab one! Curry bun, or Karepan, is fluffy bread filled with a comforting, spicy curry sauce and fried with panko. Crispy, warm, and spicy – it’s a pick-me-up after a day of shopping!

Johan is one of the first stalls you see as you enter the B2 level of Mitsukoshi Ginza. You can’t miss it!

Pro Tip: They bake their Karepan and various other bread options 4-5 times a day. They’ll post the schedules on location, so pick those times to get a SUPER FRESH one!

Anzu Ginza: The Ultimate Tonkatsu Experience

After racking up 15,000 steps exploring Tokyo, we decided to unwind with some dinner at Wagokoro Tonkatsu Anzu Ginza. We each ordered a Tonkatsu meal, with different flavors to try them out. The highlight for me was their deceivingly simple cabbage salad, so fresh and flavorful, and UNLIMITED. The meal also included a miso soup with clams, a taste of the sea that was as refreshing and delicate.

OH MY GOD, the katsu—crispy on the outside, tender and unapologetically fatty on the inside. The fattiness might not suit all palates, but was A HUGE HIT for us. The star of the evening was the black curry katsu. It was a flavor explosion that had me dipping EVERYTHING in that rich, complex sauce.

Our dinner at Wagokoro Tonkatsu Anzu was a great way to end our first night in Tokyo. Located on the 11th floor of Mitsukoshi Ginza, this restaurant caught our eye with a STUNNING VIEW of the Ginza cityscape. If you’re in Ginza, this is a great option for dinner. The wait is typically 30 minutes, so put your name on the waiting list and take a loop around the department store.

Senmeya – Hachobori’s Go-To Onigiri Shop

I’ve got the ultimate breakfast spot that you absolutely cannot miss, especially if you’re planning a day full of shopping. Right next to our hotel in Hatchobori, we found Senmeya Hachobori, an adorable onigiri restaurant that’s SERIOUS NEXT LEVEL. They offer a variety of traditional flavors like mentaiko, but also offer creative seasonal flavors, too!

I could genuinely eat this for breakfast EVERY SINGLE DAY. Let’s talk about the star of the show – RICE. I have no idea what kind of magic they’re working, but it’s the perfectly chewy and fluffy. And, they DO NOT skimp on the fillings. They’re generously packed, and when paired with that incredible rice, it’s a match made in heaven. The slight saltiness of the mentaiko with the rice is just chef’s kiss.

If you’re ever near Hatchobori, this Senmeya Hachobori is THE ONE. It’s the very definition of doing simple things extraordinarily well. Highly recommend!

Head there early, because they sell out fast – and that’s no joke. We visited this place at 9:00 am, and they were already running low on options.

New Torigin: An Unassuming Yakitori Gem

After an exhilarating day of shopping and exploring, we decided to indulge in a more relaxed lunch experience. Our adventures led us to New Torigin, a quaint yakitori shop nestled in vibrant Ginza. They specialize in charcoal-grilled chicken skewers and kamameshi —a traditional Japanese dish where rice is lovingly cooked in an iron pot.

Our Gomoku “Five Ingredients” kamameshi (¥1600) included ground chicken, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, crab, and shrimp, steamed beautifully together over rice. As you stir, you get its rich smell wafting up with each move. The rice soaks in all the flavors of these ingredients, and gets a little crispy near the edges. SO GOOD!

We ordered a variety of skewers: chicken skin, liver, thigh, and heart. Every bite was an explosion of flavors. If I had to pick, the chicken skin skewers and liver skewers were the real star of the show for me. That chicken liver was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted – so tender, it practically MELTED in my mouth.

One of my only regrets from this trip was not making a second trip back to New Torigin. It was that good! At ¥210-350 a skewer, you can mix and match your faves! If you’re ever in Ginza and looking for an authentic, casual dining experience that will leave your tastebuds dancing, New Torigin is the place. Trust me, you’ll want to come back again!

Uraonikai: Our PERFECT Edo-Style Sushi Omakase

“Omakase” in Japanese means “chef’s choice”. It iss a multi-course experience where you leave it to the chef to customize your meal. My parents and I have never experienced eating at a Japanese omakase restaurant, so I made it a personal goal to make this meal happen! Uraonikai in Hatchobori is a sushi omakase, recommended to me by my sister on her honeymoon to Tokyo. Uraonikai’s specialty is in “deconstructed Edo-style sushi”, with a modern flair, with a wine pairing for each course.

My family and I were a bit nervous at first, especially since we don’t speak Japanese, but in the end little communication was necessary. Our expert chef prepared one of the BEST MEALS we had in Japan! We had over 15 dishes, each one deeper in flavor and more exquisite than the last. The chef’s attention to detail, from the red vinegar in the sushi rice to the light toasting of the seaweed, made every bite a masterpiece.

Their tuna handrolls were PHENOMENAL, a mix of seared fatty tuna, medium fatty tuna, and pickled tuna, all wrapped up in crispy, lightly toasted seaweed. The Uni handroll was my absolute FAVORITE. Our chef STACKED ON the sea urchin, and it was incredibly satisfying. Our chef really took the time to explain the reasoning behind each detail. I learned SO MUCH about Japanese flavors from this one meal!

Omakase at Uraonikai was an unforgettable experience! Watching a practiced expert prepare the PERFECT meal is a memory that we will hold forever! Paired with the company of my family, it felt like a tasting of the past, experiencing the present, and the joy of the future. It was the most special meal for us this entire trip!

Join Us As We Eat Our Way Through Tokyo!

I’m so excited to take you and my family through the bustling streets of Tokyo, from the bustling Tsukiji Fish Market to the historic temple of Asakusa, tasting and exploring as we go. For an immersive experience, don’t forget to watch the FULL TOKYO VLOG! And for more insights on every delicious stop, check out my posts. Navigating Tokyo’s food scene over 8 unforgettable days has been an adventure of a lifetime!

Looking for more TRAVEL EATS? Try some MUST HAVES with me!