Recommending places to visit (like galleries and shops) is nothing new to this column, and so going ahead and offering a design-lovers guide to an area seems like the natural next step, especially if you're looking for something to do during the Summer holidays. The following suggested tour of Ginza is made even better by one simple fact: it will cost you absolutely nothing (but we cannot be made responsible for any purchases made along the way - this tour is certainly heavy with temptation).

A good way to start is to come out of Ginza Station's A13 exit, which brings you directly in front of the Matsuya Ginza department store. Head to the 7th floor for the Design Gallery exhibition space, as well as the adjacent Design Collection, which is always well-stocked in Good Design award winners.

As you exit Matsuya, turn right, cross the first street you encounter, and pay a visit to the Ito-ya stationary shop (you'll notice the sign, mounted by a big red paper clip, on your right soon after crossing the street), which takes up three buildings (the other two are in back). This is like a superstore for stationery goods, and even though most of what is on offer is not particularly impressive, the sheer quantity (floor after floor) is almost breathtaking. The office furniture floor does have some nice pieces.

After Ito-ya, head back to Matsuya, and from there you'll notice the massive Apple Store across the street. Worth a visit both for its interior design and stylish electronics, you can head to the 4th floor where a good 20 internet-ready iMacs are there for the using. Good time to make a blog entry!

It's time to take in some more shows, so as you exit the Apple Store, turn right and keep walking straight for a few blocks (maybe 5 minutes) until you notice the big Ginza Lion pub/restaurant on the left-hand site of the road. This is your sign to turn right, and you'll soon see the Ginza Graphic Gallery on the left-hand side. As regular readers will know, the GGG features monthly design exhibitions with no entry fee.

When you're done, head back to Chuo Dori (where you came from), and continue walking in the direction you were heading until you get to the big overpass. Turn right, and walk straight for a few blocks until the road itself turns right. This will mean that you're standing next to the giant black Recruit building, which is where you'll find Creation Gallery G8. Although not as big as the GGG, it hosts similar design-based exhibitions, including a small cafe space that is also decorated with some of the current show's works. A good place to sit down and reflect on some of the things you've seen (and discuss if you're doing this in a group).

As you exit the Recruit building, turn right, and walk straight a few blocks (maybe 5-10 minutes) until you get to the Sony Building. The showrooms occupy several floors, and it's probably the best place in town to gawk over the Qalia brand of luxury gadgets - this is probably the closest many of us are going to get to these priced-beyond-reason objects of lust.

After you're done with the Sony appreciation tour, exit the building and continue walking in the same direction you were heading. When you get to the Wendy's, turn left, crossing the main road (unless you want to stop at the Okinawa Ginza Washita Shop near the Wendy's for a few tasty treats, like a bag of chinsuko cookies). You'll see to your right a building that is certainly no stranger to this column: the giant Muji Yurakucho store. Take a quick tour of the Muji+Infill Ki no Ie display home, and then take the escalator up for access to the most complete selection of Muji goods you will ever see (the store stocks every single item from the Muji catalogue). The Meal Muji cafeteria space makes for a good place to rest, with a menu that changes depending on the time of day. Do not forget the top floor's Atelier exhibition room, which often gives you a peak at what Muji is currently working on.

To finish our tour, we say goodbye to Muji (although you might want to have a look at the electronic goodies on offer at Sofmap on the ground floor), and upon exiting the building take a right. You'll quickly find yourself near the entrance to the Tokyo International Forum. One of the true architectural wonders of our fair metropolis, simply walking through it is enough of a treat, without having to be there for any specific event (although Art Fair Tokyo, happening August 6-8, would probably be a good thing to take in - see the Tokyo Q events calendar for more info).

Of course, there's much more to see in the area, and this is just a quick tour of the area that can easily be done in an afternoon. You can also vary the order - this writer tends to start with the galleries, keeping the visit to the Apple Store for later, and then using the iMacs to make a blog entry on the exhibitions that were seen. If you'd like to see similar guides for other Tokyo districts, do let us know by email.