WELCOME TO THE DOJO HOTEL GINZA

Here in Japan, our culture focuses on good health, a strong family bond and paying respect to our traditions. We have the best life expectancy in the world, and are very proud of our heritage.

The history of our religion is mostly Shinto as this was around before Buddhism was born, however both share its concerns with humanity, nature and society. We often use offerings for the deities to promote good health and safety within our homes.

Regarding food, we enjoy many types, both local and international. Rice is our main staple food, usually complemented with meat, fish, vegetables and/or soup - and of course, our infamous sushi! We do like to have our sweets separate to a meal though, so this is typically served with coffee afterwards.

As mentioned, we value respect in very high regard - especially towards our elders. We’ll always greet each other with a bowed head, if not, a full bow from the waist. Say you were to greet a friend, it would be a very fast bow to say hello, yet if it were a police officer, you would take an extended, slow bow. This is a simple differentiation, though as you observe our people, you will begin to see the subtle differences.

When you eat out, there are a few customs you should be aware of. First things first, take off your shoes. This is a tradition going back a long time in our culture, and is practiced widely throughout Japan in homes and businesses. Once seated, you’ll notice it's often customary for a wet cloth to be brought to your table for the purpose of washing your hands before eating. It is considered very rude to clean your face with it, or use it as a napkin, so please avoid this!

Once you’ve finished your meal and are ready to pay, please do not leave a tip. In Japanese culture, this is viewed as a big insult, and won’t be received well. If you’d like to show your gratitude in some other way, give some origami a go! We’ll really appreciate the creativity!

When it comes to socialising in Japan, it is customary to wait to take a sip from your drink before you have raised a glass to the group. Someone will take control of the ‘cheers’ by making a short speech and raising their drink up, before shouting ‘kampai’!

Here are a few do’s and don’ts that may help you:

Do’s

● Do learn some basic Japanese - It will help you navigate easier, and we see this a huge amount of respect!

● Do slurp your noodles - It shows us you’re enjoying your meal and is viewed as a compliment!

● Do bow appropriately - As mentioned earlier, who you’re bowing to and how you do it go hand in hand. Be sure to read up a little more on this.

Don’t's

● Don’t eat or smoke and walk - This is considered rude and disrespectful all over Japan, so please don’t do it.

● Don’t harass Geishas - This may seem like an obvious one, but we still see many tourists bothering our Geisha for pictures and felt it was worth mentioning.

● Don’t make calls on public transport - We value our peace and quiet, and on public transport especially, this is a must. Please don’t make phone calls or talk loudly as it will draw unnecessary attention to yourself.

We know our customs and traditions may differ from what you’re used to back home, but we hope you will embrace our beautiful country as we are. We look forward to welcoming you to our home soon. Thank you!

As with any travelers, there comes a point when we all just need some good, hearty food. We’ve taken a rather adventurous stroll through the pristine streets of Ginza and discovered our four favourite restaurants. Each one has a little quirk and we’ve mapped them out for you here. Enjoy!

If you put aside a hefty amount of yen to spoil yourself with, we recommend going for award-winning sushi at the most famous restaurant in Japan - Sukiyabashi Jiro. This incredible three Michelin star restaurant is renowned for serving some of the best fish in the world, its impeccable attention to detail and bursts of flavour in every dish. Sukiyabashi Jiro is now the most famous sushi restaurant in the world, and a visit to Ginza is not quite right without eating here. Be sure to book in advance though, they are extremely popular!

Looking for a more budget-friendly alternative? Head on down to Sanshuya - a traditional Japanese pub (also known as an izakaya). Here you can step out of the big city lights of Ginza and into something homey and comforting. The down-to-earth energy at Sanshuya is celebrated by locals and tourists alike, and due to their close proximity to the Tsukiji fish market, they serve some of the freshest fish around. The warm and welcoming vibe is what really sells this place, and has a guaranteed evening of fun in store!

Don’t fancy a restaurant at all and want to see where the actions at? Get yourself down to the infamous Tsukiji Fish Market and soak up the truly unique atmosphere that lives here. From eager fishmongers to crafty crabs-men, this place is both picturesque and deeply fascinating! The Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the oldest markets in Tokyo, and the history speaks for itself. The market is open from five in the morning, and food vendors will typically stay open until mid-afternoon. Tip: be sure to make it there for sunrise to taste of the freshest fish around - yes, this would be a traditional Japanese breakfast to experience!

Bored of fish or looking for something meat-free? We advise going to the Ain-Soph vegan restaurant and patisserie, close to Chome 4. They have a wide variety of vegan delicacies, though our favourite was the vegan fondue - it really had us fooled! The food is a little on the pricey side, but it is most definitely worth it. Their French-style cakes are also delicious, so be sure to give a couple a try!

Whatever your budget, Ginza really has a lot to offer you. We hope you’ll enjoy it just as much as we did.

The beauty of Ginza not only lies in its cleaner-than-clean streets or fascinating and quirky people, but it is also in its shopping! People come from all over the world to shop in Ginza, and for good reason too! There are many department stores, luxury international brands and funky markets along “Chuo Dori”. The street is closed to traffic over the weekends allowing pedestrians to roam freely through the hustle and bustle of Ginza.

Let’s start with one of the largest (and oldest) department stores in Tokyo - Ginza Mitsukoshi. Since its opening in 1930, it’s offered locals and foreigners alike the opportunity to shop for some of the best Japanese styles around. Its profound architecture is something to witness firsthand, and Ginza Mitsukoshi is a must for an authentic shopping experience.

Situated next to Ginza Mitsukoshi is the infamous Ginza Matsuya. This is your first-hand experience with world famous brands, jewellery stores and overwhelming design quality. They often feature exhibitions on their 8th floor, inviting tourists to experience contemporary Japanese designers’ best work. Saturday is the best day to be here so be sure to add these department store wonders to your schedule!

For something a little more low-key, head on down to Takumi. From traditional folk crafts to textiles and toys, you are guaranteed to find something unique here. As Ginza is known for its high-end shopping, this market is no exception. Though an inch of the price of international brands lining the streets, the quality of these pieces is undeniable.

In terms of gadgets, it’s no surprise that we have a lot to offer you in Japan! We are practically known for our innovation and creativity so it’s definitely worth checking out a few of our electronic stores. The area itself is known as Akihabara, but one store in particular worth mentioning would have to be Mandarake. It’s a collector’s delight and bodes well with locals and travellers alike. There is a keepsake culture we have in Japan, and crazy stores like this contribute to our unique style hugely. And with eight stores of manga comics, anime characters and tv heroes to choose from, we reckon you’re spoilt for choice!

Aside from cartoon characters and fun gimmicks, the district of Ginza itself is no stranger to epic design as you will notice strolling along the streets. If you’re into making a bold statement, look into purchasing your first kimono (it’s kind of a right of passage in Japan!) but take your time as they can be a costly investment… A worthy one though, of course! Visit an atelier such as Marumado Yaya who sells antique kimonos imported from Kyoto - these are truly a statement piece and worth every, single yen.

Last but most certainly not least is our very own chocolate company, Meiji THE Chocolate. Their aim was to shock the world into creating Japanese chocolate and making it accessible to local people, too. They were the revolutionists in Japan and caused quite a stir worldwide selling over 30 million bars of chocolate in ONE year. They have a bean-to-bar philosophy that is an imperative part of their business and the quality speaks for itself. A visit to their 100% chocolate store in Ginza is not to be missed - especially as it contains over 56 flavours of chocolate!

There are millions of places to shop and visit in the Ginza district - yes, navigating your way around can be a bit of an ordeal so take your time to soak it all up and most of all, enjoy it!

Whether you're in Ginza for a night or a week, we are sure we’ve got something for you to do! Here we’ve listed four of our favourite attractions we’ve discovered over time, and we’re so pleased we get to share them with you now…

While in Japan, you’ve got to experience some of Ginza’s greatest attractions aside from the vast amount of shopping to be done! To start with, a museum that’s massively undervalued - The National Film Archive of Japan. Stemming back to the 1950s, this museum holds a huge amount of Japanese history within its walls. All of their films have been collected, preserved and often restored at the NFAJ and are treated with the highest level of care possible. From its 300-seater cinema showcasing original films to its exhibition spaces highlighting the unique quality of Japanese features over the years, the NFAJ is not to be missed!

If you’re enjoying the art buzz and are looking for some authentic Japanese exhibitions, we recommend heading down to visit the Okuno Building. Built in 1932, this converted apartment complex is now home to over 50 galleries and artisanal shops and is a wonder to behold. The Okuno Building brings a rather unique 80s vibe and it truly encompasses the thriving art scene of Ginza. Be sure to check out Apartment 306 - we won’t tell you much more but you’re in for a real treat!

Okay, so you’ve stuffed your day with all things art and by now you’re looking for that downtown drink to wash away the day? Then there is no place better than Ginza 300 Bar. With its laid-back yet sleek atmosphere, it's easy on the eyes and even easier on the soul! There is something incredibly unique about Ginza 300 Bar though - they use a ticket system to order drinks and food, and ALMOST everything is 300 yen! This is how they’ve operated since they opened back in 1992, and they continue to strive on this special method. Grab a handful of tickets, some cheaper than cheap drinks and dance the night away in one of Tokyo’s best-kept secrets.

Last but certainly not least, the almighty Hamarikyu Gardens. There is nothing better than breathing in the sweet smell of nature to wash away the effects of the night before. Sit down, sip on a matcha tea in these beautiful grounds and watch the world go by. It’s surely a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of Ginza and there is a sense of calm here you’ll find nowhere else in Ginza. The park draws its water from Tokyo Bay and changes with the tide, creating ever-changing scenery, along with some saltwater eels! Not your typical marine life you’d expect to find in Ginza!

We hope we’ve given you some essential attractions ideas when exploring Ginza and we look forward to hearing what you discovered!

Despite its reputation for a whirlwind of shopping malls and luxurious items, there are still a lot of cultural experiences to be found along the streets of Ginza. First things first, when in Japan, you’ve got to experience some culture. And one of the best ways of doing that is going to view some traditional Kabuki at the theatre.

One theatre in particular worth mentioning has to be the Kabukiza Theatre, reminiscent of London’s West End or New York’s Broadway. Down to a law that was passed all the way back in 1629, the entire cast was and is still male, including all female roles! This makes for a unique version of performance art and is not to be missed. The beauty of the Kabukiza Theatre is their ingenious motive of setting aside single-act tickets for those who are apprehensive about spending a lot of money. There’s also an option to rent subtitle guides to better understand what’s happening. So, there really is an option for everyone! The art of Kabuki is a must see in Japan, so go take advantage of this incredible theatre!

On Saturday’s, as mentioned, Ginza Chuo-Dori opens its streets up to pedestrians and along the way to a bunch of pop up stores! Reminiscent of London’s Piccadilly Circus, the uber-modern buildings and the chic atmosphere become all-encompassing (and can be a little overwhelming!) but are truly something of a wonder. This city is out and proud to say the least!

If you fancy it, take a walk to the Sento Konparu-Yu where you can bathe with a bunch of strangers! Sounds weird, right? Yes, it may sound odd to you, but a large part of Japanese culture is public baths. This bathhouse was opened all the way back in 1863, and its retro design still exists today. Two baths exist - one at room temperature and another heated to a rather toasty 42 degrees! Rumour has it that twice a month flowers are added to float in the baths, so check their website before you go! All strangeness aside, this is by far one of the most cultural experiences you can have whilst visiting Ginza, and we couldn’t recommend it more!

As with most cultures, we too have historic statues, buildings and shrines to honour the past lives gone, and a way for us to practice mindfulness. Namiyoke-jinja is one of Japan’s oldest shrines, dating back to the mid-1600s. It was actually built on the edge of the water, so hosts a strong reminder of how much land has been reclaimed since then. Namiyoke-jinja translates to ‘protection from the waves’, despite the irony of today. Now, you’ll find its surroundings filled with local merchants and cheap street food, but the history remains true throughout and is a very special place worth visiting.

Whatever the weather and wherever you go, you are guaranteed to find our culture throughout Japan... You just need to know where to look!