Ginza- So Many Stores- So Little Time

[minnie mum]

On one of our Tokyo days, on our escorted tour in October, we will have a few hours on our own in the Ginza. I already know that I want to check out the Mitsukoshi flagship store (what WDW fan wouldn't?). And I also want to spend some time at Ito-ya, the huge stationary store (scrapbook and paper addict that I am). I believe that it is just a couple of blocks north of the department store.

Assuming that DH can drag me out of Ito-ya and I can still walk under the load of all the handmade paper I hope to be carrying, I also want to check out the 100% Chocolate Cafe that Lurkyloo described so deliciously. Anyone have any idea how far away from Ito-ya this place is? I've had trouble finding it on Google Maps, but I think it's about a kilometre or so north?? Is it walkable or should we try to get a taxi? I'd LOVE to load up on some delicious chocolate for the rest of our trip!

Getting back to our hotel on our own ought to be an adventure. We're staying at the Tokyo Metropolitan in Ikebukuro, so I'll have to check out the subway/train stations I guess.

 

[chris31997]

I have no idea how far away it. A km walk is doable. Think walking off the choclate and can eat more The taxis here are super expensive. You really want to avoid them at all cost if possible. The trains/subway or bus is the way you want to go.

Something else you want to check into will be to see if the buisness can deliever your packages to your hotel. Get a hotel flyer or buisness card with the address from the hotel, and ask if they will send it to the hotel for a fee of course

 

[BecBennett]

There's one right near the Tokyo station, is that the one you're talking about?

http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/drink/100-chocolate-cafe-877398

 

[jsilvers]

I also want to check out the 100% Chocolate Cafe that Lurkyloo described so deliciously. Anyone have any idea how far away from Ito-ya this place is?

The website indicates that its address is 2-14-16 Kyobashi, as well as that it is 1-minute walk from exit 5 of the Ginza Line's Kyobashi station. As you may have learned, Tokyo addresses can be infuriatingly imprecise - but generally, that should be about 3/4 of a kilometer north of Mitsukoshi, and less than that from Ito Ya.

Getting back to our hotel on our own ought to be an adventure. We're staying at the Tokyo Metropolitan in Ikebukuro, so I'll have to check out the subway/train stations I guess.

Starting from the chocolate cafe, one option would be to take the Ginza line one stop south to the Ginza station, and change to the the Marunochi line which will take you to Ikebukuro (nine stops).

Another would be to walk west to Tokyo station, and catch either the Yamanote rail line or the Marunochi subway line - but the station is enormous and even if you know where you're going it will be more than half a kilometer's walk (the platforms are on the opposite side of the station from where you would be coming from).

 

[Aussie Wendy]

If you want to find out which metro/trains to take and cost/where to change if necessary etc we found Jorudan (http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/) to be great and simple to use but you must get your spelling of stations correct. We did almost what you did except that we finished our shopping/walk near Mitsukoshi so we took the Marunochi line from Ginza station direct back to Ikebukuro with no need to change-but honestly the metro systems are so easy to use. As the post above says just catch the metro back to Ginza if you don't walk to walk back and then change lines. I had plans to visit Lurkyloo's chocolate shop too but in the event, too tired, never got there.

 

[Meredith'sMom]

This is so funny because we did almost exactly that today. We went to Mitsukoshi earlier in the week but today walked from Itoya (actually much further down Chuo-Dori in Ginza) to the 100% Chocolate Cafe (thanks, LurkyLoo! lol). We did it in the heat and with 8 year old in tow so I'd say October will be divine! Didn't take long at all, maybe 7 minutes.

 

[minnie mum]

Thank you all so much for your help!! Knowing the distances I'll have to walk that day and being able to use the Ginza line for a short hop makes things a lot easier to plan. I have a pair of knees that will be replaced soon, but alas not in time for this trip- so I'll be trying to ride rather than walk whenever possible.

And thank you chris31997 for the wonderful idea of having our packages delivered to the hotel(especially the papers- it's amazing how heavy a roll of paper can be).

Meridith's Mom- great minds think alike and it's all Lurkyloo's fault!! Glad to know that it's all doable. So fess up- how much chocolate did you end up taking away with you?? I have a BFF who is a chocolatier, so I want to find a few unusual chocolate bars to bring home for her (and a lot more for me )

 

[Meredith'sMom]

So happy to help! My husband and I had a good chuckle because what are the chances that we would see your post on the day we did those things? We have just transferred to Disney and will hit the parks tomorrow.

You will love Tokyo--what a delight it has been being here even in dreadful heat--and, again, the walk is very doable and easy.

We got just four small squares at the Chocolate Cafe and I've just had one--the Hawaiian. Loved it; I am a fan of dark chocolate! My other favorite treat here has been the (non chocolate) Sugar Butter Tree snacks found in Tokyo Station. Swoon!

Enjoy!