• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

  • Photowalks
  • Book and Prints
  • Newsletter
  • Portfolio
  • About/Contact
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Dec 21 2012 13 Comments

A winter picnic in pedestrianised Ginza

At the weekend, Ginza’s pedestrianised main street allows visitors to enjoy something of a rarity in Tokyo — space. A welcome move that makes the area ideal for parents, possible pets, and far less frequently, picnics.

Tokyo urban picnic

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie H. says

    12/21/2012 at 8:41 am

    Picnic in Ginza? I like that idea!
    I see though they didn’t bring the good china. But it’s cool.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/22/2012 at 12:00 am

      Yeah, they stuck to the basics. Wine and fruit. Never a bad option!

      Reply
  2. An Expat says

    12/21/2012 at 6:18 pm

    I’ve always wondered if the night before the street is opened to pedestrians, if the street is swept? But then again, it may not need a sweep.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/22/2012 at 12:01 am

      That’s a good point. I agree, probably not. There again, it does always looks immaculate…

      Reply
  3. Iwao Yamamoto says

    12/22/2012 at 2:21 am

    Always you give us meaningful photos in Japan. The photo in Ginza surely reminds me of Hanami in springtime in Japan. Japanese people like these types of situation. I think this comes from our ancestor who were mostly farmers producing rice and took some rest under the tree in the rice field; rest in peace. The ideal moment for us. In such society such moments we can enjoy ourselves without thinking anything.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/22/2012 at 12:02 pm

      Thanks. Yes, it reminded me of hanami too. A nice moment for sure, and like you say, a simple pleasure that we can all enjoy — even in urban Tokyo!

      Reply
  4. Lizzy says

    12/22/2012 at 8:28 am

    That is fantastic! Austin shuts down the streets for Halloween night, but this looks like a lot more fun. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/22/2012 at 12:04 pm

      Yeah, great idea, isn’t it? The pedestrianised street really does make a difference. People appear more relaxed, and the area just seems a lot more alive. Amazing the difference such a simple idea can make.

      Reply
  5. Hans ter Horst says

    12/23/2012 at 5:53 pm

    メリークリスマス Lee! I had come across car free Sundays in Akihabara a few years ago and it is a great idea they have extended it to Ginza

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/23/2012 at 7:46 pm

      Thanks! Seasons greetings to you too!

      It’s definitely a positive. Really does make the place feel more welcoming. Nice to have so much space as well. A lovely change.

      Reply
  6. Willy says

    12/23/2012 at 7:36 pm

    good. make street usage more diverse!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/23/2012 at 7:47 pm

      Yes, definitely. Rather than just shopping, there are people parading their pets. Some street performers. Along with plenty of others just chilling out. A huge improvement.

      Reply
  7. Daniel McBane says

    12/23/2012 at 10:53 pm

    Pedestrianizing Ginza was a brilliant move, but I hope they don’t stop there. I can think of numerous areas of Tokyo that could really benefit from being closed to traffic. And not just Tokyo, other major cities as well.

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Copyright © 2025 · Tokyo Times