Ginza, Tokyo - Car Free Sunday to transform the city
With a simple gesture, one of the most expensive parts of Tokyo temporarily became a pedestrian paradise.
I had heard about Car-Free Sunday in Tokyo, but it wasn’t on my mind when I visited the International Forum nearby. Walking through Ginza was merely a by-product of my trip, and to be honest, my original plan was to visit a lifestyle and stationery store in Ginza rather than experience this car-free phenomenon in one of Tokyo’s most famous districts.
To provide some context for those unfamiliar with Tokyo, Ginza is renowned as a prime location for flagship designer stores and international brands. It hosts high-end fashion boutiques such as Hermès, designed by Renzo Piano, as well as iconic electronics showrooms like Sony’s, designed by Klein Dytham. It is a mecca of star-architect-designed luxury brand headquarters, comparable to Bond Street in London or Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Situated within walking distance of the International Forum — a multi-purpose exhibition centre designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects — Ginza’s proximity made it a convenient stop during my visit. However, I will save my thoughts on the International Forum for a future blog post.
As we made our way into Ginza, my primary destination was Itoya, a lifestyle and stationery store where, if I’m not careful, I could easily spend a fortune on their exquisite collection. Itoya reminds me of the once-iconic Paperchase on Tottenham Court Road in its heyday — a haven for stationery lovers, offering everything from pens and notebooks to an array of paper types that make you want to linger and feel their textures. Itoya takes this experience even further by also stocking lifestyle products, including designer lamps, household decorations, and beautifully crafted cups. After successfully resisting the urge to buy the entire store, I wandered into central Ginza along Chuo-dori Avenue, which, on any other day, would be bustling with vehicular traffic.
Instead, every Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm, Ginza is transformed into a pedestrian paradise, open for both locals and visitors to enjoy. The normally congested streets become a playground where people can roam freely. I saw people dancing in the middle of the road, children running around as their parents playfully chased them, and most memorably, a couple having their wedding photoshoot. The bride and groom, elegantly dressed in a wedding gown and tuxedo, posed for their photographer, creating a timeless memory amid the rare tranquillity of a traffic-free Ginza.
While Ginza isn’t my favourite part of Tokyo, and I still have many more neighbourhoods to explore before making a definitive judgment, what the local government has implemented here is remarkable. Converting one of the most expensive real estate areas in Tokyo into a pedestrian-friendly zone, even for just one day a week, is an extraordinary feat. From my observations, foot traffic appears significantly higher on Sundays, with people lingering longer simply because they have more public space to enjoy.
It makes me wonder what the impact would be if we pedestrianised Regent Street in London or Fifth Avenue in New York City on Sundays, giving these iconic streets back to residents and visitors for a few hours each week. This could strike the perfect balance — temporarily removing vehicular traffic, including buses and taxis, while promoting a healthier, more sustainable urban environment. It would show Londoners and New Yorkers that there is an alternative way to experience and interact with their city.
Perhaps it’s time we reimagine our urban spaces, making them not just thoroughfares for cars but places for people to truly enjoy.