game safari ikebukuro

ゲームサファリ池袋店｜ ゲームサファリ大山店

Throwback - Gaming in Japan

Sunday, april 20, 2014, arcade "game safari" - ikebukuro.

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After Iconic Sega Arcade Closes, A New One Will Open Soon Nearby

The new sega ikebukuro is located across the street from the shuttered sega ikebukuro gigo arcade.

Last month, hundreds of fans gathered in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro to say goodbye to an iconic arcade. After 28 years, Sega Ikekuburo Gigo called it a day. But this month, a new Sega arcade will open right across the way.

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Covid-19 has hurt arcades in Japan, but as Kotaku previously reported , Sega Ikebukuro Gigo closed because its lease agreement ended. “If it were in my power, I’d want to stay open forever at this location and greet the happy faces of our wonderful customers,” the arcade’s manager said at Sega Ikebukuro Gigo’s closing ceremony. “Unfortunately, at this time, the way it turned out was, the arcade has closed.”

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Fortunately, Ikebukuro will get a new Sega arcade that’s located right across the street from the old Gigo location —and it’ll get it soon.

Genda Sega Entertainment, the company created after Sega sold off 85 percent of its arcade business, is opening a new arcade on October 22. Dubbed Sega Ikebukuro, the four-story building will be home to three fours of crane games, with a café on the top floor. Arcade games will be playable in the basement.

As you’d expect, t he crane games will offer limited edition prizes among other game and anime-themed goodies.

It’s good to see a new Sega arcade opening, but Sega arcade fans might be disappointed that the distribution of space is overwhelmingly in favor of crane games. In traditional Japanese arcades, crane games take up one floor, typically the first, with the other floors dedicated to specific genres of arcade games. The press release for the arcade mentions that Genda Sega Entertainment is preparing further development in the Ikebukuro area, adding that this is the first in the company’s “Ikebukuro Project.” This likely means there will be more Sega-branded arcade gaming coming to the area. If so, hopefully that means future locations will be focused on different styles of arcade games.

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Ikebukuro, Tokyo – 23 Things To Do Guide + Photos 2024

Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district is fun to visit day or night and home to massive malls, cute cat cafes , gaming arcades galore plus Tokyo’s biggest Pokémon Center .

A popular retail destination and geek chic centre, Ikebukuro comes alive in the evenings with neon nights, ‘red lights’ and traditional Japanese bites.

This post may contain affiliate links to tours and hotels. These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Inquisitive about Ikebukuro? From anime cafes to Mandarake manga goods, there are so many things to do in Ikebukuro to bring out your inner otaku.

One of Tokyo’s more interesting neighbourhoods (and NEVER dull), here is our guide to the top things to do in Ikebukuro, Tokyo in 2024 with photos.

You might like these Tokyo neighbourhood guides: Akihabara Asakusa Ginza Harajuku Ikebukuro Nakano Odaiba Ryogoku Shibuya Shimokitazawa Shinjuku Also check out our Where to stay in Tokyo guide

Table of Contents

How to get to Ikebukuro / public transport

The best station to head to if you want to explore the Ikebukuro neighbourhood is Ikebukuro Station which is served by many lines:

• Tokyo Metro  (Marunouchi Line, Yurakucho Line and Fukutoshin Line)
• JR Trains  (Yamanote Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line and Saikyo Line)
• Tobu Railway  (Tobu-Tojo Line)
• Seibu Railway  (Seibu-Ikebukuro Line)

Japan checklist We love using booking.com for researching and booking all our hotels, and Hostelworld for booking hostels. For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide , Viator or Klook .

Ikebukuro Accommodation

Recommended hotels include:

Budget ($) HOTEL MYSTAYS Higashi Ikebukuro Modern budget rooms located in a quiet area close to Mukohara Station.  Check rates and availability for HOTEL MYSTAYS Higashi Ikebukuro

Mid Range ($$) Sunshine City Prince Hotel Ikebukuro Popular 4 star hotel located inside the Sunshine City complex. Facilities include four restaurants and a 24-hour convenience store.  Check rates and availability for Sunshine City Prince Hotel Ikebukuro

Luxury ($$$) Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro Clean and comfortable 4 star hotel with large rooms (some with Mount Fuji views) and located close to the train station.  Check rates and availability for Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro

Check out the best hotels in Ikebukuro via Booking.com >

Ikebukuro, Tokyo – things to do

1. mega pokémon center ikebukuro.

Nintend-oh! Mega Pokémon Center Ikebukuro is one of Japan’s biggest Pokémon stores – because you’ve gotta catch ‘em all!

Located in Ikebukuro (inside the Sunshine City alpa mall), the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is packed full of all your favourite Pokémon characters including exclusive Pokémon Japan merchandise, trading card games, Pokémon Go Lab and even a Pikachu Sweets Cafe – talk about Pika Mix!

From all the cute merchandise to the awesome Pokémon arcade machines, here is our ultimate guide to visiting the Pokémon Center Mega Ikebukuro with more photos >

Love cute and ‘kawaii’ stores in Japan? Check out our shopping guides ! • Tokyo Character Street stores • Studio Ghibli stores • Don Quijote stores • Doraemon Future Department store • B-Side Label stores • Mandarake stores • Best Gachapon Capsule toys • Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo  Plus our guide to the best kawaii things to do in Tokyo >

2. Ikebukuro Nightlife

Perhaps best known for its late night bars, night-clubs and adult clubs, Ikebukuro is an izakaya hot-spot plus there are some very ‘interesting’ bars at night like the one with girls dressed as Playboy bunnies trying to beckon you in.

From maid and butler cafes to moonwalk bar, Bar Libre to Hub Pubs , Ikebukuro caters for all tastes at night, be they culinary or carnal.

Be aware that many bars in Ikebukuro charge for entry or company and prices can be expensive – buyer beware.

Try this – Local Bar and Ramen hopping Tour in Ikebukuro >

3. Gashapon Ikebukuro Main Store – Japan’s biggest gachapon store

As well as Tokyo’s largest Pokémon Centre, Ikebukuro is also home to Japan’s largest gachapon store!

An official Bandai Namco gashapon branch, the Gashapon Department Main Store in Ikebukuro can be found in the Sunshine City complex.

In fact, Gashapon Department Store is the largest gachapon shop in the world! Now that is a lot of capsule toys!

The Ikebukuro store has between 3,000 and 4,000 gachapon machines at any one time although note some of these are repeats e.g. we noticed certain gachapon series repeated several times throughout the store.

One of the most popular things to do in Ikebukuro, most of the Gashapon Department Main Store toy capsules cost between 300 to 400 yen a time (as of summer 2024).

Check out Plan My Japan’s ultimate guide to gachapons and the coolest capsule toys >

4. Sunshine City Mall

Sunshine City is a huge entertainment complex and one of Tokyo’s oldest shopping malls .

Here you will find numerous stores and restaurants, plus an aquarium, planetarium, Gashapon Ikebukuro Main Store , Ancient Orient Museum , Sunshine City Prince Hotel and Namco Namja Town theme park (more on this later).

You’ll also find the Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observation Deck with 360-degree panoramic views of the city from the 60th floor. You can even see Mount Fuji on a clear day.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by サンシャイン60展望台てんぼうパーク (@tenboupark)

5. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre

You don’t necessarily need to be a theater-goer or culture vulture to visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre in Ikebukuro – it has won numerous design awards and even has the world’s largest pipe organ inside.

Visit the free galleries in the basement and upper levels or just enjoy the weird shaped seating inside.

The square outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre is also a popular, plus full of workers at lunch-time eating their packed lunches or takeaways.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre / 東京芸術劇場 (@geigeki_info)

You might like – Plan My Japan guide to Tokyo’s top sumo wrestling things to do >

6. Cat Cafe MOCHA Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro’s two Cat Cafe Mocha branches are some of the most ‘purr-fect’ things to do in Tokyo – ‘fur’ real.

With around 7 Mocha Cat Cafe locations in central Tokyo including Harajuku , Akihabara Ikebukuro and Shinjuku , you might have been to cat cafes in the past but the Tokyo Mocha Cat Cafes take it to the next kitty level.

We think cat feeding time at Mocha Cat Cafe might be the cutest thing we ever did in Japan (feeding time is at 10.30am and 7.30pm daily).

From prices to cute kitty pictures, here is our full guide to Tokyo’s Cat Cafe Mocha >

BRAND NEW FOR MAY 2024 Join our Facebook 7-Eleven Fans Group! Are you a fan of all things 7-Eleven?  Then click here to join our group >

7. Ikebukuro Global ring

In the summer months, head to Ikebukuro’s Global Ring outdoor theatre stage for free performances and an immersive 360 degree light and sound system.

Very much in the heart of Ikebukuro, this is also known locally as ‘theater park’ with the 35 metre ring focal point said to look like a round pond that used to be here.

When performances are not on, the Global Ring Cafe is a popular meeting spot to grab a quick bite or some booze.

Love theatre? Check out our guide to the Tokyo’s best immersive events and experiences >

8. Tobu Shopping Mall

Ikebukuro has lots of shopping areas and districts to shop ‘til you drop. Tobu shopping mall is one of Ibebukuro’s biggest shopping malls with17 floors (yes, 17 floors) of fun, fashion and food.

From a two floor UNIQLO to Sanrio, you’ll find lots of famous Japanese and international chains, plus floors 11 to 15 are full of restaurants and dining. 

Each floor has different types of shops, from toys, stationery and books on level 7 to a basement food court selling international and Japanese food .

There is also a small roof-top with bars (it was closed when we visited in winter) plus a tourist tax refund and information centre on level 2.

You might like – Our guide to Japan’s largest UNIQLO store in Ginza, Tokyo >

9. Ikebukuro Gaming Arcades / Taito

There are plenty of games arcades and retro gaming machines in Ikebukuro but the biggest ones are Taito Station Ikebukuro, Mikado Game Center and SEGA Ikebukuro GIGO.

They all have the usual UFO / claw machines, dance machines, photo booths and cool games like Taiko no Tatsujin Japanese Drumming Game . If you only have time to visit one, our recommendation would be SEGA Ikebukuro GIGO.

Try this – Top Tokyo Go Karting experiences >

10. Don Quijote Ikebukuro – various branches

Don Quijote Japan discount department stores are home to thousands of items generally at low prices, from sneakers to stationary, Hello Kitty to Kit Kats (plus more interesting ‘adult sections’ featuring TENGA ).

There are three Don Quijote branches in Ikebukuro, all of which are open 24 hours.

Also new for 2024, Tokyo’s largest MEGA Don Quijote Narimasu has opened close to Ikebukuro (around a 15 minute ride away).

You might like – Our ultimate guide to Don Quijote stores or our visit to Japan’s only Don Quijote ferris wheel in Osaka

11. Aka Oni Okonomiyaki restaurant

One of our best nights in Ikebukuro was eating at the Aka Oni okonomiyaki restaurant during a Tokyo baseball game.

The restaurant is renowned as a popular spot to watch the Tokyo and Hiroshima teams playing, and has baseball merchandise and posters all over the walls – a cool way to watch live Tokyo baseball with local fans.

Better still, the Aka Oni Okonomiyaki was one of the best okonomiyaki we had in Tokyo, cooked on a hot griddle in front of us, served up with ice-cold beers.

The place was packed with workers eating well, drinking highballs and watching the sign. Highly recommended.

You might like – Our guide to going to a Tokyo baseball game and Tokyo Dome tickets >

12. Mandarake LaLaLa Ikebukuro

Mandarake stores in Japan are otaku heaven – from second hand games to retro toys, Mandarake is one of Japan’s most famous second hand and used good shops.

Mandarake is one of the biggest second-hand retailers in Japan with shops in all the big Japanese cities including Kyoto , Sapporo , Osaka and Fukuoka.

This particular Ikebukuro Mandarake is unique as it is dedicated to female manga magazines and ‘Doujinshi’ self printed comics and titles.

Check out our guide to Mandarake stores in Japan or Super Potato retro gaming stores in Japan .

13. Hub Pubs in Ikebukuro

‘Kanpai’ to a little bit of Britain in Ikebukuro – there are several British themed Hub Pubs in Ikebukuro including HUB+82 Ikebukuro WACCA, HUB Ikebukuro Sunshine Street and several dotted around the station exits.

One of Japan’s biggest bar chains with over 100 pubs, the 82 Ale House and HUB pubs are British themed pubs that have (VERY) happy hours, pub grub style food plus bar interiors just like British pubs.

If you are planning a big night out in Ikebukuro, the Hub Pub happy hours are an expensive way to kick-start your evening – they are a great spot to watch live sports too like Tokyo baseball .

Check out our full guide to Japan’s British Themed HUB Pub Bars and 82 Ale Houses here >

14. We Road Street Art Toilet Tunnel

No, you aren’t imagining things – one of Tokyo’s unlikeliest tourist attractions is the Ikebukuro Zoshigaya Tunnel and toilet block – honestly, we aren’t taking the p*ss.

Located underneath Tokyo’s Ikebukuro Station, this tunnel was spruced up by local artists and named ‘We Road’. However in 2022, a very artistic toilet block opened right next to the tunnel in order to encourage people to stop using the tunnel as a toilet.

This well wicked WC has artwork inside (kind of like a space-scene) plus roof adornments – definitely one of the more weird and wonderful things to do in Tokyo.

Try this – Tokyo food tours with Viator or a Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market Food and Drink Walking Tour

15. Ikebukuro Owls

Whilst walking around the streets of Ikebukuro, you’ll likely spot some owls, either in hedge form (like there are near Ikebukuro JR west exit), cute cartoon owls or even as stone statues.

The most famous Ikebukuro owl statue is of a mother owl with her baby owl brood near Ikebukuro Station’s east exits (think of the Hachikō Memorial Statue in Shibuya but less well known)

And why are there so many owls in Ikebukuro? It is because the word ‘bukuro’ (as in Ike-bukuro’) sounds very similar to the Japanese word for ‘owl’ so the feathered friends are a marvellous mascot for the local area.

You might like –  Our Japan convenience store guides including 7-Eleven , Lawson and FamilyMart plus ‘konbini’ egg sandwiches

16. Seibu Rooftop Garden Ikebukuro

One of Tokyo’s largest free roof terraces located atop Seibu Department Store, this Ikebukuro rooftop garden is a gorgeous green space with water features, including a lily pond and fountain (swish).

Grab a seat on one of the benches and enjoy some alfresco snacks from the nearby food kiosks – talk about a treat after shopping!

Try this – Tokyo downtown bicycle tour >

17. Bic Camera

Bic Camera is big in Japan – one of the most popular electronics and department stores across the country, most Bic Camera stores have several floors of goods, services and tax free shopping.

Bic Camera Ikebukuro Main Store is one of the biggest Bic Cameras in Japan and sells everything from tourist SIMs to Studio Ghibli clocks, craft beers to gashapon capsule toys – there are several Bic Cameras in Ikebukuro to browse.

So from products to promotions, here is our ultimate guide to BIC Camera in Japan with photos >

Try this – The best of Tokyo tours and day trips with Klook >

18. Ikebukuro Love Hotels

If you feel the need to rent a hotel by the hour in Tokyo (lucky you), head to the love hotels in Ikebukuro (it rivals ‘Love Hotel Hill’ in Shibuya ).

Tokyo is known for its love hotels and Ikebukuro is a hotspot of hourly hotels, known for their affairs and romantic themed rooms like Hotel West One .

If you haven’t seen love hotels before, it is quite the surreal experience walking around Ikebukuro’s backstreets – you can even see some quite weird and wonderful posters in the hotel windows where you can rent ‘toy’s and the like. Probably not somewhere you will want to visit with your parents or elderly relatives!

If you don’t get lucky in Ikebukuro’s love hotels, you can always check out our ‘stimulating’ guide to TENGA, Japan’s biggest love toy company >

Looking for Ikebukuro accommodation but not just for the hour? Check Ikebukuro accommodation availability with Booking.com >

19. Kura Sushi Ikebukuro

Kura Sushi has to be Japan’s most joyful revolving sushi bar (“kaitenzushi”) and conveyor belt restaurant.

Popular with locals and travellers alike, Kura Sushi is one of the most fun and inexpensive dining experiences in Japan and we found their Ikebukuro branches a lot quieter than in say Ginza or in Asakusa .

All the food and drinks arrive by conveyor belt, plus putting away your finished dishes has been ‘gamified’ (for every five dirty plates you drop into a slot on your table, you get a free go at an online game – smart!)

As prices at Kura Sushi in Japan start from just 110 Yen ( less than $1 / £1 a piece), it is a cheap place to eat in Ikebukuro

From ordering food to sushi conveyor belt etiquette (plus our visit to Japan’s largest Kura Sushi), here is our ultimate guide to eating at Kura Sushi in Japan >

20. Namjatown

Visiting Ikebukuro with your children or are you just a big-kid at heart? Namjatown is one of Tokyo’s top indoor theme-parks with several themed zones including Fukubukuro, Mononoke, and Dokkingham Plaza.

Everyone loves the retro gyoza stadium food court plus there are regular anime pop-up shops and even a Kawaii cigar stall (hmmmm…)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ナンジャタウン (@namjatown_official)

Namjatown is manned by hosts dressed in huge cat outfits (fine furries) and there is also an onsite cat cafe (although nothing as cool as Cat Cafe Mocha ).

Open from 10am to 9pm daily, Namjatown admission prices in 2024 start from 1,000 Yen admission for adults and children over 13 (younger children 600 Yen). Attraction and ride costs are extra).

21. Ikebukuro Animal Cafes

From mini pigs to owls, cat cafes to doggy dessert shops, Ikebukurois home to a menagerie of animal cafes. Seriously, we think this might be the highest concentration of dog cafes and animal cafes anywhere in Tokyo after Harajuku.

Other than Cat Cafe Mocha, we didn’t visit any of the animal cafes in Tokyo as it just seems a bit off. Make up your own mind though.

Check out this Micro Pig Cafe experience in Ikebukuro or head to Harajuku for hedgehogs.

22. Swallowtail Butler Cafe

You’ve heard of maid cafes, so why not try a Tokyo butler cafe in Ikebukuro?

Swallowtail is a Butler cafe staffed by men in traditional black and white waiting outfits, whose main training is to watch ‘Downton Abbey’ on repeat (probably).

Once sat in the Swallowtail lounge, choose from an extensive afternoon tea menu or pamper yourself with some prosecco or champagne – cheers!

Each table has a traditional bell you can ring, beckoning your butler to bring you more – alas photos are not allowed inside so make sure you take ‘mental pictures’

You might like – Top 20 things to buy at Daiso Japan >

23. Other things to do in Ikebukuro & tours

Hopefully we’ve given you a good overview of all the things to do in Ikebukuro – however, if you like some local guidance or authentic experiences, try these Ikebukuro tours:

Ikebukuro anime walking tour >

Local Izakaya and ramen hopping in Ikebukuro >

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GiGO: Ikebukuro's Newest Spot for Gaming

Japan, a land of traditions and innovations, often dazzles its visitors with a mix of the old and new. For many international travelers, a highlight of their Japan trip is immersing themselves in the exciting world of game centers. Whether it's trying their luck at UFO catchers to snag that elusive plushie, or turning the dial of a gachapon machine in hopes of collecting a rare figurine, these gaming hubs often become a magnet for spare change and adventurous spirits. Ikebukuro (池袋) is a haven for those passionate about gaming and anime culture. Comparable to the iconic Akihabara (秋葉原) district, Ikebukuro has a number of game centers and specialty stores catering to anime and manga enthusiasts.

On September 18, 2023, Ikebukuro welcomed a fresh addition to its gaming landscape: GiGO. Spanning four floors, this game center promises a state-of-the-art experience. With its sleek and contemporary architectural design, GiGO beckons both locals and tourists alike. So, let’s explore this new spot.

Where is GiGO in Ikebukuro?

1f: a dreamland for claw machine lovers, 2f: arcade games for all ages, 3f: home to japan's grandest purikura & taiko ensemble, b1f: for music and game lovers.

GiGO is located on Sunshine Street, a mere 5-minute walk from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station. Its imposing structure with a massive screen ensures you can't miss it! While Ikebukuro has multiple GiGO branches, this latest addition not only marks the fourth in the district but also stands out as the largest.

From the entrance, rows upon rows of cabinets filled with the latest plushies and more beckon, each stocked with an array of prizes that'll leave you spoilt for choice. Truly a haven where everyone, from beginners to seasoned gamers, can indulge in the thrill of the catch!

Add to that a gachapon spinning area, the rhythmic allure of the t aiko drumming game, and a plethora of other choices. It's a space where both the young and young-at-heart can dive deep into hours of arcade fun!

On your next trip to Japan, don't miss out on experiencing GiGO. Dive into this gaming wonderland and relish a unique facet of Japanese culture.

Access: 5-min walk from East Exit of Ikebukuro Station | Google Map

Opening hours: 10:00–23:30

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Trip to Japan

Thread in ' Discussion ' started by TGGC , 22 Jun 2018 .

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I'll be on a trip to Japan from 15.7 on for 3 weeks. I'll stay somewhere around Ikebukuro, so I already planned visiting the Game Safari Arcade and likely Ebisen, too. As its my first time to Japan in general, and I know multiple people from here have already been there. Feel free to give some advice, what to do (or not do) there and what else I should not miss.  

I'll write up a long post when I have a little time.  

Well, you needn't go overboard with it, but any info is appreciated!  

If you don't want to have to travel all the way to Game Safari Arcade, check out HEY (Hirose Entertainment Yard: https://goo.gl/maps/dhoAhoKzKxF2 ) in Akihabara. It was the best place to play TGM2 I found when I went 2 years ago. It's 100 yen per play so a bit more expensive but the TGM area has very little cigarette smoke (most times zero, other times only minor, I went multiple times over 2 weeks). Everywhere else I went was so smoky I could only play once or twice then have to leave to breathe (and shampoo and launder all my clothes lol). Buy some of the filtered face masks too if you go somewhere smoky.  

Thanks! We likely have to pass Ikebukuro station every day, thats why i selected this one. But a day in Akihabara is also planned!  

marionintendo

Dude, get hype!  

The best place to play TGM2, is Pier21 on tuesdays, I think you get double the plays. They have a token machine there that gives you 3 tokens for 100¥ iirc, so any other TGM game is 3 plays for 100¥. Hey arcade is great, has tons of shmups, fighters, and all the TGM's. For some reason all their TGM cabs have both a sanwa and seimitsu stick on either side, so playing doubles or vs kind of sucks. There are a few used game stores too like Super Potato if you're a collector. Lots of CIB jp games and consoles.  

It's been almost 10 years i haven't visited japan but my small advises : - Hey in akihabara is a really good place. Take some ear plug though ! Visit each floor (except the basement : you pervert) if you want to watch crazy dudes on others games genres (especially SHMUPS). - Pier21 isn't close from Tokyo, so you better go there for a whole afternoon/evening. You will not likely meet any japanese TGM player until you come for the masters event. - You can visit kabuki-cho and see some (you pervert) - DON'T plan to visit the "Royal palace" : the garden gates are only open 2 days a year. You will just waste your time seeing nothing. - if you go visiting other major cities of course you can do the combo Osaka, kyoto and Nara.. - i don't know if still like that but : japanese don't use credit/debit for paying in shops : always have enough cash with you - except for umbrella, Japan is pretty safe, so don't fear to carry lot of cash with you instead of everyday withdraw (beware the international bank fee wich might became crazy). - Go and eat real sushi's : it's nothing compared to the shit we eat in almost every west country restaurant (follow some guide and find small local ones). - IF the tsukiji fish market is still open to public go and visit there on very early morning : you can also eat the freshest sushi here (yes in the morning). sorry for engrish  

More to come later. Staying in Ikebukuro is a really good idea if you aim to hit game places as a lot are easily accessible from it (and Ikebukuro itself is a fun spot to hang out in. Arcade-wise: - Game In Ebisen in Ekoda (10 mins on the Seibu-Ikebukuro line from Ikebukuro station) is a one of a kind location; if you didn't already know it was there you'd never find it because there is basically no indication from the outside that it exists. A major chunk of all arcade records over the last ten years have been set there, and I can't recommend it strongly enough. It's almost never busy, and you can rent cabs by the hour for the more grindy modes for 500 yen. Otherwise, everything is 50 yen. They have about 20 cabs but have an extensive selection of PCBs that they will put into a cab if you want. TAP usually has Seimitsu sticks but they can swap in a Sanwa panel for you in like 5 minutes (I recommend DMing them on Twitter in advance if you have any Japanese speakers with you because they might not just be willing to randomly do it if you show up and they don't know you). Ti has a silent JLF on 1P side and a regular one for 2P. TGM1 usually isn't in a cab but they will put it in if you ask (even on the spot). They can also record videos for you if you bring an NTFS flash drive (make sure it's a decent one) or DVD-Rs for some games. This place has a pretty eerie atmosphere but it can be a refreshing break from the sound assault of every other arcade. KAN's arcade of choice. - Pier 21 in Kodaira (maybe 30 mins or so on the Seibu-Shinjuku line from Seibu-Shinjuku or Takadanobaba station) has 4 TGM1 cabs, 2 TAP cabs, and one TGM3. All play well and if there are any problems just let them know and they will immediately fix them. Pier21 can also do recording and even live broadcasting if you want. It's also incredibly cheap...3 games for 100 yen and half that on certain days! Be aware that all the cabs except Ti 2P use JLWs instead of JLFs, so it might a little getting used to. Not a problem like Seimitsus or anything, they just feel a little different. - Daytona III out in Warabi, Saitama has TGM1, 2, and 3. All cabs play well, and they seem to be able to record video and broadcast )(although you'd have to ask Hebomai for more info on that as I haven't tried it out there). Hebomai's arcade of choice. - Anata no Warehouse in Kawasaki is one of the most insane places I've ever been to. As I'm sure you know, it's the arcade themed like the Kowloon Walled City. In addition to this gimmick, however, they also have a TON of cool games in good condition. This includes Rad Racer and Outrun deluxe cabs and the original pressure sensitive button SF1. They have all 3 TGM games running in New Net City cabs with USB video recorders, so make sure to not forget your flash drive if you want to try that out. There is also a second Ti cab that doesn't have recording set up. NIK, the Sakura WR holder, likes to hang out here. Don't bother asking him to give you a demo however as he doesn't play that mode at all anymore and hasn't in a long time. All TGM games are 50 yen here. - HEY in Akihabara is an absolute treasure trove of rare games in mint condition Egret 2 and 3 cabs, but unfortunately is both insanely loud, filled with the worst kind of gaijin (who will interrupt you and snap photos of you while you're playing and shit), and also not really a spot to play TGM. They have TAP and 2 Ti cabs, but TAP's cab wobbles and only has a Sanwa in the 2P side while the left Ti likes to lose your save data and the right one has a kind of crappy monitor. Also everything is 100 yen so don't waste your money on TGM there. An awesome spot for shmups and pretty much everything else (except music games), so definitely worth at least a trip or two even though I haven't given a great impression of it. - Natsuge Museum in Akiba has tons of cool cabs and is generally quite a pleasant environment, no TGM but absolutely worth a trip as well. - Mikado in Takadanobaba is one of the premiere arcades for fighting games and retro stuff in all of Japan, but honestly their cab maintenance outside of the stuff that has a big community kind of sucks. Don't bother with their TGM1 or TAP. Could be worth checking out no matter what, however, as there's no shortage of cool working suff still. - Taito Station Shinjuku South Exit's 5th floor is home to a good chunk of the best IIDX players in Japan. If that's your thing at all, you gotta go there for the people watching (and the perfect cabs). - Game Versus right next to Nishi-Nippori station has a huge amount of fighting games and also a decent music game selection. This is pretty much exclusively a fighting game spot, and they have weekly SF 3rd Strike tournaments that are attended by many of the best players in the world. - Game Safari (Ikebukuro) has TAP in a New Net City but with Seimitsu sticks so forget about playing there unless you can handle that. - Ramble Plaza (Ikebukuro) has TAP in a pretty good cab in the basement; I've set some insane times there. They also have a few shmups and a bunch of Shanghai and mahjong games in addition to a few other JAMMA era games. The first floor has your standard modern arcade fare and then upstairs there's a bunch of fighting game cabs (it seems to be a spot where quite a few people play). There's also a TGM1 in an Egret 3 with a totally fucked monitor; I didn't go this trip but it's been fucked for years so I doubt they've fixed it. A few non-arcade things that you should know: - If you haven't already done it and plan on taking even a single shinkansen on your trip, GET A FUCKING JR PASS. You will save so much money, but you have to do it before you leave the country. There are many sites that will either overnight one to you or send it in 3 days. - The JR pass only covers JR lines and services; for everything else (like the Seibu lines, most buses, etc) you'll want to grab a Suica/Pasmo card from the charge machines at any station and just load that up. Tap on anywhere, tap off. No fucking around with tickets (seriously the only people that do that are the worst kinds of tourists). You can also use them to pay at most convenience stores, some restaurants, vending machines near stations, and even many Taito arcades. Suica and Pasmo are functionally more or less identical (as are Pitapa and Icoca and all the other IC cards) so just grab whichever you stumble into first. Just about every machine that charges or accepts any of them will charge / accept all of them. - There are basically no actual trash cans on the streets...EXCEPT at convenience stores like Family Mart, 7/11, and Lawson so feel free to run into them and throw out actual trash or use their actually nice bathrooms even if you're not buying anything (Japanese people also do this). - Basically don't expect anyone anywhere to speak English, because they probably won't outside of chain restaurants in extremely foreigner heavy areas. - Late night food: once basically everything else is shut, you have a few options. Late night ramen places are usually pretty decent, or you can become a true salaryman and get wasted and order 5000kcal of food for probably $20 or so at Saizeriya. The other big family restaurants (Denny's, La Pausa, Jonathan's, Bikkuri Donki etc) are not quite as cheap but will also satisfy you. Many McDonald's are basically 24 hours for takeout too, so grab something off the "Ura Menu" if you feel like it. Avoid Matsuya and Yoshinoya (mostly Matsuya). - Google Maps is your friend for figuring out how to get from point A to point B at any time. It's not perfect but at least in Tokyo it's very very reliable and won't usually fuck up so much as just not give you useful information or lead you slightly astray at a station entrance / exit. - You can't get a phone SIM that makes voice calls on a tourist visa, but there are rental phone companies if you need something like that. The data only SIMs tend to suck and are pretty much exclusively astounding ripoffs; use these guys instead: https://en.wifi-rental-store.jp/order.html . I usually pick up from their store in Akiba because I know how to get to it, but if you can't get there without data assistance then you might want to do airport pickup. The leftmost choice on that page is insanely fast but has a lower data cap, so choose accordingly. They're all pretty cheap IMO and are very solid. - English menus suck donkey dongs often, so if you have any Japanese speakers with you (like literally any Japanese knowledge at all) try and get a JP menu too. - Akiba is seriously hell and absolutely fucked pricing-wise. Unless you are extremely into the most degenerate idol and moe shit, pretty much everything cool there can be found somewhere else (like Nakano Broadway).  

Thanks for all the infos. Its probably more than enough for serveral trips and should be pinned. I make sure I do not miss Ebisen. I am now seriously considering going to Pier21, too. I found on their twitter The Masters date in July is 7/21 and I realized its not that long of a train ride as I initially thought.  

Yeah, I figured I'd just get it all out there. Hitting Ebisen and Pier21 sounds like a good plan, although I definitely encourage you to head down to Kawasaki and hit Warehouse as well if you can, since it's a nice relatively quick train trip and you can turn it into a fun day trip down to Yokohama (which is really nice! Check out Oosanbashi pier!) as well. Of course, if you run into any problems or need help with anything while you're there, don't hesitate to hit me up. Same goes for anyone else.  

I will have an eye on all the recommendations here and try to hit everything nearby if we have some time left. We will definitely explore everything around Ikebukuro Station. I am pretty sure we will be close to HEY, Taito Station and some other mentioned at some point in time.  

Juste a small information complement to clarify thing about transportation after reading Kevin's post, that I remember : JR is the Japan Railway. It's the main official company transportation. But LOT of other companies run their own lines.. Tokyo is a mixed spaghetti plate.. you might have to change several companies through your journey commute, and as said Kevin, you don't want to deal with the ticket because the price depend on the station you wanna go. That's why the SUICA card is fucking convenient because every companies accept it. Also, you'll often end up dumb in front of the station map because there is no latin character : So keep a map with you with kanji/Latin latin name  

Just one quick thing, is it in general ok to snap a quick picture of you/ your friend playing or your screen in an arcade? Or should you always ask one of the employees first?  

If you ask the staff even at places that don't care they'll say no, so just do it and don't be too obvious about it. You probably won't run into any problems, and definitely not at Ebisen or Pier. If some staff guy comes up to you just say you didn't know and it'll be fine.  

So after first week: -have been to Rumble Plazza for some Tetris and Streetfighter (KevinDDRs third place on the board there...) -played some Shmups at HEY, a lot of stuff to see -TGM2 at Game Safari, only 50 yen, played fine for me and did a 996 -visited the masters at Pier21, lost every game in the tournament, still a lot of fun -additionaly: Taiko no Tatsujin with my friends whenever we found one  

So I visited Ebisen now, too and went a second time to Kodaira (Improved my TGM1 PB ). Sadly its time to go back home already tommorow. Had tons of fun and thanks again for all the kind advice!  

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Guide to Ikebukuro, Tokyo: Anime, Video Games, Shopping, and Cats

For me, walking into Ikebukuro, Tokyo  for the first time was a bit like walking into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. I didn’t know what to expect, but I had a wonderfully surreal experience, and I couldn’t wait to go back. On various visits, I have:

• Seen a man in blue plaid pants walking two dogs dressed in identical blue plaid pants
• Traipsed around the streets dressed as Sailor Moon during a public Halloween parade
• Been laughed at by kids for failing so badly at a rhythm game in a video game arcade
• Come across businessmen in sharp suits smoking cigarettes while betting on virtual horse races
• Accidentally walked into an Attack on Titan cosplay group’s photo shoot
• Paid money to play with really adorable cats (no regrets)

And now, with this guide, you can experience some of the unique things Ikebukuro has to offer, too! Here are some cool places to check out on your next trip. 

Table of Contents

Sunshine City

Sunshine City is a massive shopping and entertainment complex that houses tons of stores, restaurants, an aquarium, a planetarium, a performance stage, and Namja Town and J-World Tokyo indoor theme parks.

If you’re a Pokémon fan or have some Pokémon fans back home, the Pokémon Center is chock-full of merchandise from the video games, card games, and TV show. It’s the perfect place to buy a souvenir or two or three. There’s room in your suitcase for another Pikachu or Eevee or Meowth plushie, right?

Harajuku isn’t the only place to find Japan’s latest fashion trends. Sunshine City has a bunch of cool Japanese clothing stores like Axes Femme , full of romantic, dreamy looks (think lacy dresses and billowy sleeves), and Ingni , which sells sophisticated casual attire.

Tokyu Hands

Do you want beautiful stationery? Art supplies? New luggage? A build-it-yourself miniature Honda S600? You can find all this and more at Tokyu Hands , an 8-story department store that seemingly sells everything. There are several Tokyu Hands throughout Japan, but Ikebukuro’s is very noticeable with its bright green sign and hands logo beckoning you in from the street. Though it’s technically built into Sunshine City, it gets its own section here since it’s an adventure all on its own.

Anime and Manga Goodies at Animate

There are many stores dedicated to anime and manga goods in the area, but the largest of all is Animate , a chain that has its flagship store in Ikebukuro. The multi-level store is overflowing with CDs, DVDs, manga, magazines, capsule machines, and merchandise. Everything is very organized with each display for popular franchises lovingly designed by the shop staff. It’s a bit of a sensory overload at first with the sights of shelves packed with merchandise, the bright fluorescent lights, and the stereos and TVs blaring advertisements for new music and shows. But that just makes the shopping experience more memorable.

Note: From my understanding, instead of buying everything in one go once you’re done shopping, you have to pay separately at every floor you want an item. Don’t be like me and take merchandise up to another floor, setting off some sort of alarm. There are probably signs telling you not to do this, but I must have been too over-stimulated by everything else to notice.

Vegetarian/Vegan Food at AIN SOPH.Soar

For some healthy bites, head over to AIN SOPH.Soar , a vegetarian and vegan restaurant with a rustic yet elegant feel that’s open for lunch and dinner. The menu consists of sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, rice dishes, and fluffy pancakes. For drinks, they offer specialty blended herb teas, coffee, and cold press juices.

I went for lunch and had a sandwich packed with a rainbow medley of vegetables, a side of thick fries, and herb tea. It was all delicious. Speaking of delicious…

Astrology-Themed Desserts at Milky Way Café

For amazing desserts  in Ikebukuro, go to the Milky Way Café , a star-themed restaurant . It offers meals like omurice and sandwiches along with colorful ice cream soda floats, but the real draw is the parfait menu . Each parfait is artfully arranged to represent an astrological sign, with variances in ice cream flavors, sauces, add-ons like fruit and chocolate and whipped cream, etc. But there’s one consistent item – they are all topped with super cute star-shaped cookies!

The restaurant can be recognized by its tantalizing dessert display on the first floor and the star motifs found throughout the blue and white dining space on the second floor. A seat by the window grants customers a neat view of Ikebukuro’s busy streets. It’s open for lunch and dinner, and deciding what to order isn’t hard – just pick whichever dessert corresponds to your astrological sign!

Video Games at the Sega Arcade

Going to the Sega GiGO arcade for the first time was a surreal experience. I have always loved arcades, but Japan takes the concept and runs with it to create a giant behemoth of an arcade spanning multiple floors with games for everyone. Each floor is dedicated to a certain genre – one for crane games and UFO catchers, one for rhythm games, one for token games, etc. The top two floors are lined with purikura photo machines, one with a cosplay area.

Even more fun than the games themselves is just exploring every floor to see what unique things are offered. Some floors are covered with black walls, the room lit by the colorful illuminations emanating from the neon glow of the game machines. One floor, which smelled strongly of smoke, was full of Japanese businessmen betting on virtual horse races. In the purikura area, I once happened upon an amazing group of cosplayers dressed perfectly like characters from Attack on Titan. There are several Sega arcades around Japan, but the one in Ikebukuro is my favorite!

Note: The unspoken rule is that men should only enter the purikura floors if they are accompanied by a woman.

Adorable Kitties at a Cat Café

There are several cat cafés in Ikebukuro, but the one I went to was called 猫の居る休憩所299 , roughly translating to “Rest area with cats 299.” I’m not sure what the 299 represents (they do NOT have 299 cats) but regardless, the cozy interior and warm lighting are designed for the ultimate relaxing experience – with dozens of adorable cats hanging out around you. They are everywhere: draped on shelves, sleeping in their beds, lounging on chairs, curled up in boxes, and playing with guests. You can tell they are well taken care of by the staff.

The venue has a drink station, wifi, and lots of lounges, desks, and chairs set up, so you can pick from the 2,000 manga lining the shelves, plop down in a comfy seat, and read in peace while a cat curls up on your lap. Since many apartments in Tokyo do not allow pets, this is a nice way for residents to interact with animals they wouldn’t be able to have at home. And it’s fun for tourists, too!

Some cat cafés charge by the hour, others by every 10- or 15-minute increment. This particular one charged 200 yen every 10 minutes. For an additional 500 yen, you can feed the cats some snacks. When I went, several cats were eagerly huddled around a couple feeding them treats. It was adorable just to watch.

I was the most at ease I have ever felt while in this kitty haven, so a visit makes for a relaxing way to end a fun day in Ikebukuro.

(All photos taken by Clara Juliette)

Clara hopes to share her love of exploring cultures and inspire others through the power of storytelling. In addition to writing and travel, she loves psychology, nature, green tea, and cats.

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Ikebukuro Adventure Tour: Games, Food, & Family-Friendly Fun

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A Self-Guided Day in Ikebukuro

Walk around Tokyo's up-and-coming west side

Ikebukuro is a lively area of Tokyo that often gets overlooked in favor of its popular neighbors. However, with dozens of options for shopping, food, sightseeing, and activities it should definitely be on your bucket list for the capital.

Located in west Tokyo’s Toshima ward, Ikebukuro is the third busiest station in Japan and offers the modern-day traveler tons of fun, whether solo, a couple, a group of friends, or a family outing.

With a name that references the ponds that once dotted the area (池袋 Ikebukuro literally means pond bag), the area has now been industrialized for business. Today, travelers will find the Sunshine area a joy to visit, in addition to being the setting for many pop culture icons (the hit anime Durarara!! takes place in Ikebukuro).

A few hours spent wandering Ikebukuro makes for a fun time!

Ikebukuro Walking Route

Leave Ikebukuro Station from the east exit and begin with:

Mutekiya Ramen

Arrive before Mutekiya opens if you want fast service. Otherwise, be prepared to line up outside of this delicious ramen shop front for 10-15 minutes. By no means large or even well known, but Mutekiya is a local favorite. With its rich tonkotsu broth and thick-cut roasted pork topping, be prepared for a creamy and garlic-rich lunch. It might not give you the nicest breath but you will feel oh-so-satisfied and full for the rest of your adventure!

1-17-1 Minami-Ikebukuro / A 5-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station / 10:30am–8pm / Homepage

Don Quijote East Ikebukuro

Whatever it is you're looking for in Japan, chances are that Don Quijote has it. Seriously! The chain of stores is massively popular as an everything shop stop. From snacks, knick-knacks, meals, souvenirs, clothes, and so much more, Don Quijote has your back. That being said, the aisles are narrow and the store can be quite crowded. Either way, get ready to drop some yen and find some mementos of your time in Japan.

1-22-5 Minami-Ikebukuro / A 4-minute walk from Muteki-ya Ramen / open 24 hours / Homepage

Sunshine 60 Shopping Street

With a little bit of everything, the 200-meter long Sunshine 60 Shopping Street is a popular stop for visitors to Japan. If you're looking for a cat cafe, they've got one. Or maybe upgrade to a river otter cafe? Yes, it has that too. Used book stores, movie theaters, and shoe stores also line the street. And if Mutekiya Ramen wasn't your cup of noodles, you can definitely find a replacement bite to eat here!

A 3-minute walk from Don Quijote / Most shops open 11am until around 7 or 8pm.

Sega Ikebukuro GIGO (Gone as of September 20, 2021)

Games, games, games! It's time to get your gamer soul going with the awesomely fun games at Sega Gigo. This game arcade has it all. Catch your own prize at the UFO catchers or claw machines, all stocked with popular prizes and sweets that will make your mouth water. Or race Mario-style in the driver's seat against your friend. Rhythm games and coin games, sticker photo booths ( purikura ), and more await you in this huge gaming paradise.

1-21-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro / A 3-minute walk from Sunshine Street / 10am–11pm / Homepage

Sunshine City

Oh, goodness! We are finishing this stroll through Ikebukuro on a big note! Sunshine City is famous for having some of the best attractions in the area. Check out their observation deck for a great view of the cityscape, day or night. Visit the Sunshine Aquarium for a fun time with penguins swimming overhead and other ocean critters. Namja Town is perfect if you lust for still more gaming while the Konica Minolta Planetarium is a perfect place to rest your feet and engage your mind. There are also so many shops and restaurants that you could easily spend the rest of your day whiling away the time here.

3-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro / A 5-minute walk from Sega GIGO / hours vary from shops and attraction / Homepage

Ikebukuro is full of many more fantastic locations to visit and restaurants to enjoy, deviate from this plan and create your own adventure in this underrated part of Tokyo!

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Ikebukuro: 30 Things to Do in Tokyo's Vibrant Entertainment District

Ikebukuro is a leading shopping and entertainment district in Tokyo. Read on to learn 30 fun things to do in Ikebukuro, from shopping for anime goods to enjoying city views, the Sunshine Aquarium, museums, cafes, ramen, and more.

Tokyo's Ikebukuro: A Bustling Entertainment and Shopping District

Ikebukuro is a Tokyo district with excellent shopping and entertainment facilities: the Sunshine 60 Observatory with great city views, the Sunshine Aquarium , the Animate flagship store, Pokemon Center MEGA TOKYO , museums, dining facilities, and much more.

Ikebukuro Station is served by the JR Yamanote Line and other lines offering direct access to Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ueno. If you're headed to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter , Kawagoe, or Moominvalley Park from central Tokyo, you'll likely use the Ikebukuro Station.

Read on to learn 30 fun things to do in Ikebukuro , from popular activities to little-known options.

Ikebukuro: 30 Fun Things to Do

Shopping 7. Seibu Ikebukuro 8. Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro 9. Sunshine City's Shopping Center 10. Ikebukuro PARCO: Unique Fashion 11. Don Quijote Ikebukuro: For Inexpensive Souvenirs 12. Bic Camera Ikebukuro: Tech Gadgets and Electronics Use the "Yamada Denki" coupon now Dining: Enjoy Some of the Best Ramen in Tokyo 13. Mutekiya 14. Tori no ana 15. ROCK'AN DO 16. Kikanbo

Cafes and Restaurants 17. Coffee Valley 18. Sweets Paradise Ikebukuro 19. Books and Coffee Fukuroshosabo 20. Neco Republic 21. Dining with City Views: Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro

Culture 22. Tokyo Metropolitan Theater and Other Venues 23. Kumagai Morikazu Museum of Art 24. The Ancient Orient Museum, Tokyo 25. Tokiwaso Manga Museum 26. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter 27. Toei Animation Museum

Temples, Shrines, and Parks 28. Zoshigaya Kishimojindo Temple 29. Gokokuji Temple 30. Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park GLOBAL RING

Hotels 31. Hotels in Ikebukuro

1. Sunshine City and the Tenbou Park Observatory

Located at the east exit of Ikebukuro Station, Sunshine City is a complex commercial facility housing an aquarium, observatory, museum, planetarium, and shopping center.

Picture courtesy of Sunshine City

The 60th floor of Sunshine City was reopened in April 2023 as Tenbou Park . Unusually for an observatory, it features a grassy area and looks like an indoor park. Not only can you enjoy the view of Tokyo's landscape, but you can also experience the sensation of flying through the air on a swing installed next to the window.

Since there are no tall buildings around Tenbou Park, the allure lies in the 360-degree panoramic view. Particularly, the sunset and night views exude a romantic atmosphere. There's also a café where you can enjoy original drink menus while taking in the magnificent scenery.

Sunshine City

↑ Return to the top of article.

2. Sunshine Aquarium

Sunshine Aquarium , a popular dating spot, is located on the top floor of Sunshine City’s World Import Mart Building.

Designed as an " oasis in the sky ," the Sunshine Aquarium is a place where visitors can see penguins seemingly flying in the air, as well as creatures living by the waterside and in the sea. Highlights include seal training, watching penguins during feeding time, and the live explanations by divers and caretakers.

Furthermore, the Jellyfish Area provides a novel and visually stunning experience, making visitors feel as if they are surrounded by jellyfish. This area is particularly popular and is a must-see spot.

In addition, the souvenir store called Shop Aqua Pocket offers a wide range of products such as plush toys, stationery, and snacks, making it the perfect place to purchase keepsakes.

As it tends to get crowded on weekends, it's recommended to visit on weekdays or purchase tickets in advance!

Supported by Sunshine City

3. Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is an official Pocket Monster (Pokémon) shop located inside the Sunshine City main building. This is the place to find Pokemon goods such as plush dolls and other items. The center often holds events where visitors can take part in Pokemon-themed games and competitions.

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo & Pikachu Sweets

4. NAMJATOWN

NAMJATOWN is a game and entertainment area located on the second floor of Sunshine City’s World Import Mart Building. Some of the attractions include a game of catching a giant fish, escaping a haunted hospital, and other games that are popular with dating couples.

The facility has a food court comprising the NAMJA Gyoza Stadium where you can try various types of gyoza (fried dumplings) and the Fukubukuro Dessert Yokocho , the best place to try photogenic sweets. The souvenir shop Naja Moja Market sells items designed with the three cute characters that represent NAMJATOWN

5. Animate Ikebukuro: The Largest Animate Store in Japan

Animate is an anime, comics, game, and character goods specialty shop that has expanded to over 100 locations in Japan. Their flagship store opened in Ikebukuro in 1983 and is now the largest Animate store in Japan. It is just a five-minute walk from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station.

Products such as character-related T-shirts, plush dolls, figurines, plastic models, and everything you need for cosplay line the store’s shelves all the way from the first to the ninth floor. Events are regularly held at the store.

Animate Cafe Ikebukuro, located on floors 7 and 8 in the Animate Annex building, offers menus inspired by popular anime series. A must-visit for anime fans!

Animate Ikebukuro Main Store

6. Otome Road: Cosplay, Anime Shops, and Cafes

Otome Road , or Maiden Road, is an area in Ikebukuro near Sunshine City. Due to the multitude of shops and cafes catering to female anime fans, this area is known as a female otaku haven rivaling Akihabara.

The shops offer items designed with male anime and manga characters, as cosplay items.

Otome Road Address: Tokyo, Toshima, Higashi-Ikebukuro 3-1 Google Map Access: 5-minute walk from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station

Cosplay at Otome Road

Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest

There will always be cosplay where anime and manga fans gather. Some people meet up in costumes just to go shopping but there are also special events such as the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest where anyone can take part in their favorite costumes. If you want to do some cosplay yourself, you might want to consider checking the events in Otome Road.

Butler Café SWALLOWTAIL

SWALLOWTAIL is a popular butler cafe in Otome Road where female anime fans can feel like princesses waited on by butlers of all ages.

This cafe is very popular for its high-quality cake menu that changes monthly and for the impeccable service of the staff. Male visitors are also welcome so if you want to feel like an aristocrat for a day, pay a visit to Café SWALLOWTAIL.

Butler Café SWALLOWTAIL Address: Tokyo, Toshima, Higashi Ikebukuro 3-12-12 Google Map Access: a 10-minute minute walk from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station Website: https://www.butlers-cafe.jp/

7. Seibu Ikebukuro: Shop for High-quality and Brand Items

Seibu Ikebukuro is the flagship store of the Seibu department store. The facility comprises several floors of shops selling clothing, accessories, cosmetics, home interior goods, and other products.

High-end brands such as Louis Vuitton and HERMES can be found on the first and second floors. MUJI, a Japanese brand specializing in organic clothing and goods, can be found on the first and second-floor annex. Loft, a stationery and household goods store, is situated on the ninth to twelfth floor of the south wing.

Events such as bargain sales and art exhibitions are always taking place in the department store event hall at Seibu Ikebukuro.

A must-visit area at Seibu Ikebukuro is the B1F where all the sweets and confectionery shops are located. You'll find here sweets treats and snacks for every occasion, including products that are ideal as gifts and souvenirs. Around special events such as New Year's and Valentine's Day or during cherry blossom and fall foliage season, the entire floor hosts limited-edition fairs.

English and Chinese speaking staff are usually available at the store, so go to the information desk if you have any inquiries.

Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store

8. Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro: Casual Shopping and Excellent Dining

Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro is a store with a slightly casual image. UNIQLO , located on the ninth and tenth floors, offers a full lineup of apparel and products, complete with a baby and kids corner.

This department store also contains the first-ever in-store location of the popular Japanese 100-yen store DAISO . This store has products from three brands: DAISO, Standard Products by DAISO, and THREEPPY, making it the DAISO store with the widest selection of products in Tokyo.

Picture courtesy of PR TIMES

mont-bell is a famous outdoor sports goods store that combines design and functionality. The brand has stores in many outlets, shopping malls, and specialty stores around Japan, but most of them do not offer tax-free shopping. However, at Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro, tax-free shopping is available for mont-bell products, making it an excellent opportunity to purchase mont-bell items!

Click here for a 5% discount coupon to use at TOBU Department Store Ikebukuro

The Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro also has excellent restaurants on floors 11 to 15. The restaurant street Dining City Spice (Japanese) has over 40 restaurants serving Japanese, Western, Chinese, and other Asian cuisines, as well as cafes that are ideal for a break from shopping.

Picture courtesy of PR TIMES If you're looking for edible souvenirs or gifts, check out the basement (B1) floor, which has a multitude of shops offering products for every taste.

Among them, New York Perfect Cheese is particularly famous. Their first store opened in Tokyo Station and remains a popular destination, with their products often selling out during the morning. Now their delicious cheese confectionery is also available at the Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in their mouth-watering cheese creations!

This 5% discount coupon can be used at most of the shops within the Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro, so do consider using it.

Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro

9. Sunshine City's Shopping Center

Sunshine City , located near Ikebukuro Station’s east exit, is a popular shopping and amusement complex visited by many Tokyoites for its aquarium, observatory, planetarium, and food courts. The entire facility comprises five buildings, with the highest being the Sunshine 60 tower, which has 60 floors.

The shopping mall itself has a full line-up of shops for every budget handling everything from fashion and accessories to interior decoration items and outdoor activity gear, electronics, stationery, gifts, and much more.

There are plenty of spaces to rest while shopping, from benches inside the mall to cafes and restaurants.

Sunshine City Address: Tokyo, Toshima, Higashi-Ikebukuro 3-1 Sunshine City Google Map Access: 8-minute walk from the East Exit at Ikebukuro Station (Exit 35), 3-minute walk from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line) Official Website: https://sunshinecity.jp/en/

10. Ikebukuro PARCO: Unique Fashion

Ikebukuro PARCO is the best place to visit if you're looking for clothing with unique designs and fashion that stands out. Among the department stores in the area, Ikebukuro PARCO has a more youthful clientele. Many of the shops inside handle products by young and debuting designers.

Ikebukuro PARCO comprises the main building, which contains women's fashion shops, restaurants, and a beer garden on the rooftop, and P'PARCO, where you'll find shops selling men's and women's clothing, musical instruments, and sportswear. The popular music retail store Tower Records Ikebukuro is also located on the sixth floor of P'PARCO.

If you're a fan of Neon Genesis Evangelion, do stop by the EVANGELION STORE TOKYO-01 located on the second floor of P’PARCO. This is one of the only two official Evangelion stores in Japan; the other shop is located in Hakone. Here you can find clothes, bags, accessories, stationery, and many other items with EVA designs.

Ikebukuro PARCO official website: https://ikebukuro.parco.jp/en/

11. Don Quijote Ikebukuro: For Inexpensive Souvenirs

The popular discount store Don Quijote has two locations near Ikebukuro Station: one right in front of the East Exit, and one that is just 3 minutes away on foot from the station's West Exit.

This is the place to go if you wish to buy inexpensive food items that make excellent souvenirs from Japan, cosmetics, household items, and basic electronic devices.

15% discount coupon to use at Don Quijote stores in Japan

Drugstores: For Japanese Cosmetics and Necessities

There are several excellent drugstores in the area around Ikebukuro Station where you can find cosmetics, medicine, and daily necessities. At the Ikebukuro stores of Matsumoto Kiyoshi or Sun Drug, the staff is accustomed to visitors who don't speak Japanese visitors; they even have staff available at the store speaking Chinese and English.

At these stores, not only can you buy products at affordable prices, but each store also sells its own brand of original items so how about visiting one to look for souvenirs?

12. Bic Camera Ikebukuro: Tech Gadgets and Electronics

Bic Camera Ikebukuro is a large electronics retail store located at the east exit of Ikebukuro Station. In addition to the main store, there are several buildings in the entire area of the east exit such as the Computer Building, Camera Building, and Outlet Building.

We recommend this outlet if you are looking for some bargains. The outlet store also offers popular snacks and cosmetics, usually at a reduced price. Make sure to have a look!

The store provides Airport Delivery (Japanese), a paid service that will deliver your purchased items for you to Haneda, Narita, Chubu Centrair International, or Kansai International Airport. With this service, you can enjoy your trip without carrying heavy luggage.

Bic Camera Ikebukuro Main Store

Ikebukuro: Home to Some of the Best Ramen Shops in Tokyo

Ikebukuro is also known for its multitude of famous ramen shops , some of which have customers lining up at the entrance every day. We introduce some of them below.

13. Mutekiya: For Rich Tonkotsu Ramen

Mutekiya is a ramen shop known as having the longest line of customers every day in Ikebukuro. Their specialty is a rich tonkotsu (pork bone) soup that is not exceedingly fatty and is easy to eat even if you’re not good with rich foods.

The soup tastes delicious with the free garlic on the tabletop, so please be sure to try it. The shop has already gained support from international guests. Their menu is available in multiple languages including English.

Invincible House

14. Tori no ana: Chicken Paitan Ramen

Tori no ana is a popular ramen shop located about a five-minute walk from the East Exit at Ikebukuro Station. Their menu includes a dish called chicken paitan ramen, which consists of a cloudy soup created by slowly simmering chicken.

The soup looks similar to tonkotsu ramen, but it has a completely different flavor. It is both rich and light at the same time.

Chicken Hole

15. ROCK'AN DO Noodles: Green Euglena Ramen

Deluxe Shio Green Noodles

At ROCK'AN DO Noodles , about a seven-minute walk from the East Exit at Ikebukuro Station, you can taste delicious and healthy ramen. The soup is made only with seafood ingredients and contains no MSG and additives; the green handmade noodles contain highly nutritious euglena.

This is a shop that customers with hesitations regarding high-calorie ramen should definitely try; these noodle dishes will change your mind about ramen.

ROCK'ANDO Six Senses

16. Kikanbo: Fiery Miso Ramen

Kikanbo is famous for offering some of the spiciest ramen in Tokyo. The dishes are made with a variety of spices and you can choose your preferred level of hotness. We highly recommend starting with a mild level and working your way up if you wish.

The shop itself is a place worth visiting even just for the interior and decorations. You are greeted by a variety of oni, or Japanese ogre, that will make you feel the heat as soon as you enter the shop!

Kikanbo Address: Tokyo, Toshima, Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-13-14 Google Map Access: 6-minute walk from the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station Website: http://kikanbo.co.jp/english

17. Coffee Valley

Coffee Valley is a coffee shop in Minami Ikebukuro, about 5 minutes on foot from Ikebukuro Station East Exit. The cafe occupies three floors and has a cozy atmosphere, very different from the bustling pace around the station.

This craft roastery handles a wide selection of coffee beans from all around the world; customers can choose the bean variety and have them ground on the spot. You can enjoy your coffee with delicious homemade cakes and muffins.

Coffee Valley Location: Tokyo, Toshima, Minami Ikebukuro 2-26-3 Map Hours: 9:00 - 20:00

18. Sweets Paradise Ikebukuro

Can't get enough of sweets? How about an all-you-can-eat sweets buffet?

The popular sweets buffet chain Sweets Paradise has a branch in Ikebukuro as well. Eat as many sweets as you want for up to 90 minutes and sample all the delicious treats Japan has to offer. They also offer salad and savory dishes as well as non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea.

Sweets Paradise Address: Tokyo, Toshima, Higashiikebukuro 1-1-２, 5th Floor Google Map Access: About 5 minutes walk from Ikebukuro Station Website: http://www.sweets-paradise.jp/ (Japanese)

Shibuya / Harajuku / Omotesando

19. Books and Coffee Fukuroshosabo

Picture courtesy of Doutor Coffee Co., Ltd.

Fukuroshosabo is an eccentric book café. Their books are lined up in bookshelves with both their titles and bindings hidden. They only have reviews of the book written on them. Visitors can purchase a book purely based on the reviews.

The homey interior is another charming appeal of the café. Visitors can enjoy drinks and a snack while reading their new book. You can relax in the lounge decorated with sofas, in the Forest Room, where sunlight comes in from the terrace, or outside on the Green Terrace when the weather is clear.

Fukuro Books and Sabo Esola Ikebukuro Branch

20. Neco Republic

Neco Republic is a cat cafe with stores all over Japan. Visitors can not only play with adorable cats, but they can also adopt them! All of the cats are either friendly stray cats that have been neutered and vaccinated or pet cats that can't be kept by the original owner for some reason.

Even if you are just here on a visit and cannot adopt a cat, the proceeds from your visit go towards the care of these cats. Neco Republic tries its best to create an at-home feel so people can imagine what it would be like to take their chosen feline home.

Neco Republic Ikebukuro Address: Tokyo, Toshima ward, Nishi-Ikebukuro 3-27-3, Nakane Building 4th floor Google Map Access: 5 min walk from West Exit of JR Ikebukuro Station Official Website: http://www.neco-republic.jp/ (Japanese)

21. Dining with City Views: Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro , one of the best hotels in this district, is located near the West Exit of Ikebukuro Station. There are various dining facilities within the hotel that can also be used by non-staying guests.

We especially recommend their French-Italian restaurant Cuisine EST , located on the 25th floor, which offers a great view over Tokyo. Guests can enjoy an unobstructed city view while dining on refined cuisine.

Dining & Bar OVEST. Picture courtesy of Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro

Dining & Bar OVEST , also on the 25th floor, offers an excellent selection of beverages and casual Italian dishes.

If you wish to enjoy Japanese cuisine, the Japanese Restaurant HANAMUSASHI on the second floor offers delicious dishes carefully prepared to bring out the delicate flavors of seasonal ingredients.

Visit the official website of Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro for details on their dining facilities.

22. Tokyo Metropolitan Theater and Other Venues

Photo by Pixta Ikebukuro is home to several theaters and performance halls of various sizes - from cultural facilities with several halls to small theaters that host fringe performances.

Picture courtesy of Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre

Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre is a cultural facility hosting concerts, theater performances, and exhibitions. The world’s largest pipe organ is found in the concert hall, built exclusively for classical music performances.

The facility also has art goods shops, restaurants, and cafés that are ideal for taking a rest while in Ikebukuro. The art galleries can be accessed for free; they host temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists and creators.

Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre

East of Ikebukuro Station, in Higashi Ikebukuro, there is Owlspot Theatre , another larger theatre with several halls and event spaces. They host a wide variety of performing arts, including shows for children and guest performances from overseas. The facility is accessible by wheelchair.

Live Music Clubs: Watch Indie Bands Performing Live

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, how about watching a show at a live music club? Ikebukuro is home to many small live houses , the Japanese word for live music clubs.

The live houses in Ikebukuro feature mainly Japanese rock bands, including Visual Kei (1*). Ikebukuro EDGE might be the best place to go if you're looking for Visual Kei. At Ikebukuro Chop , you can enjoy indie rock and punk performed live.

These venues hold live performances almost daily, especially in the evening after 18:00. There are usually four or five bands playing every night. The shows are rarely sold out and walk-ins are always welcome. Some lives are even free and you only have to pay for a drink ticket!

1* Visual Kei: A music genre unique to Japan with a strong focus on the visual appearance of the performers. The term describes the look rather than the music.

Ikebukuro EDGE Address: Tokyo, Toshima, Minami Ikebukuro, 1-23-6 Google Map Access: A 5-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station East Exit Website: http://xxxrecords.jp/edge/index.html

Ikebukuro Chop Address: Japan, Tokyo, Toshima, Ikebukuro 2-46-3 Google Map Access: A 5-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station's 20a Exit Website: http://www.chop-tokyo.info/top.html

23. Kumagai Morikazu Museum of Art

The district west of Ikebukuro Station is known for its history as a gathering spot for artists even before the second world war. Because renting a place was cheap back in those days, many artists had their studios and homes in this area.

Kumagai Morikazu (1880-1977) is one of the Western-style painters who was active in this area. His former home and studio have been turned into the Kumagai Morikazu Museum of Art in 1985. The facility hosts permanent exhibitions as well as special events featuring the artist's works.

Kumagai's paintings stand out through their strong vibrant colors and playful compositions. Animals, flowers, and scenes from daily life are captured in whimsical pictures that linger in the memory of the viewer.

Kumagai Morikazu Museum of Art Location: Tokyo, Toshima, Chihaya 2 -27-6 Map Hours: 10:30 - 17:30 *Closed on Mondays Admission: 500 yen Website: http://kumagai-morikazu.jp/ (Japanese)

24. Ancient Orient Museum, Tookyo

The Ancient Orient Museum, Tokyo is located on the 7th floor of Sunshine City's Bunka Kaikan building. This is a research facility actively involved in archeological investigations in the Near East and Central Asia.

The museum exhibits unique artifacts of historical, artistic, and archaeological value. Visiting this facility is like time-traveling to the ancient Near East!

The Ancient Orient Museum, Tokyo Location: Tokyo, Toshima, Higashi Ikebukuro, 3-1-4, Sunshine City Bunka Kaikan Bldg. 7F Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 *Closed on Mondays Admission: Adults 600 yen, Students 400 yen, School children 200 yen Website: https://aom-tokyo.com/english/

25. Tokiwaso Manga Museum

Tokiwaso Manga Museum is located one stop away from Ikebukuro Station on the local Seibu Ikebukuro Line. The nearest stations are Shiinamachi and Higashi-Nagasaki; the facility is located mid-way between them.

We mention it here because it's a must-visit for anime and manga (Japanese comics) fans! Tokiwaso Manga Museum opened in 2020 and showcases the history of Tokiwaso, a lodging and studio facility for some of Japan's most prominent classic manga artists.

Tezuka Osamu, (1928-1989), the creator of Atom Boy among other characters, Fujiko F. Fujio (1933-1996), known especially for Doraemon, and Mizuno Hideko (b. 1939), whose work played a central role in developing the shojo manga (girl comics) style are just some of the artists who lived for a while at Tokiwaso.

The facility has permanent exhibits and also host time-limited special exhibitions several times a year.

Tokiwaso Manga Museum

Tokyo / Marunouchi

26. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter―the world's largest indoor Harry Potter entertainment complex―opened in Tokyo in June 2023.

The expansive theme park is home to recreations of beloved locations from the Harry Potter movies such as the Great Hall in Hogwarts Castle, Platform 9¾, Diagon Alley, the Ministry of Magic, and others. Moreover, some of the souvenirs handled at the gift shop are unique to Tokyo!

To access Tokyo's Harry Potter theme park, take a local train on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line train from Ikebukuro Station and get off at Toshimaen Station (13 minutes, 190 yen).

Nerima / Itabashi / Akabane

27. Toei Animation Museum

The Toei Animation Museum displays original drawings and precious works related to some of the most beloved animation films and series created by the Toei Animation Studios. These include Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, ONE PIECE, World Trigger, and many others.

The exhibits change regularly, so every time you visit, you'll see new displays. Moreover, admission is free !

The museum also has a gift shop with unique merchandise that you might want to check if you're a fan of their works.

Toei Animation Museum Location: Tokyo, Nerima, 2-10-5 Map Hours: 11:00 - 16:00 Official website: https://museum.toei-anim.co.jp/

28. Zoshigaya Kishimojindo Temple

Zoshigaya Kishimojindo Temple is dedicated to the deity of safe birth and child raising. It can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot from Ikebukuro Station's East Exit. The main hall is a historical building with impressive architecture and has been designated an Important Cultural Asset.

The alley leading to the main hall is lined with ginkgo trees; their foliage turns to brilliant yellow hues in November attracting many visitors. The temple has become a famous fall foliage spot in Tokyo.

Located on the temple grounds is Kamikawaguchiya , a small candy store that has operated since 1781. Its exterior, which has never been changed and is said to be Japan’s oldest structure, became the model for Studio Ghibli’s animated film “Only Yesterday.”

The shop sells dagashi (inexpensive Japanese sweets) and keychains of Fumi and Ishimatsu (400 yen each), the shop’s two mascot cats that lived for seventeen years. You’ll also find a postcard of the shop depicting the thirteenth-generation store owner (200 yen per card).

Every Sunday and on the 8th, 18th, and 28th of every month, you can also purchase a type of dango (sweet dumpling) called Osen Dango at the central building on the temple grounds.

Zoshigaya Kishimojin Temple

29. Gokokuji Temple

Picture courtesy of Gokokuji Temple

Gokokuji Temple is a historical temple established in 1681. The Kannondo Hall, the main building, has not changed its appearance despite encountering earthquakes and disasters.

You’ll find 2.5-meter-tall Buddha statue on the way through the Furo-Mon Gates located above the stone steps. It may seem small when compared to the famous Great Buddha of Kamakura , but it is something rarely found in a city temple and quite impactful.

Gokokuji Temple (Head temple of the Tozan sect of Shingon Buddhis...

30. Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park GLOBAL RING

Photo by Pixta Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park , formerly known as Ikebukuro West Gate Park, is located right in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Theater near the West Exit of Ikebukuro Station.

This park has been designed as an outdoor theater, with a stage for live performances and seating. There are several public art pieces in the park, making it the favorite gathering spot for art lovers.

The Global Ring monument completed in 2019 has been conceived as a circular torii gate that connects present-day Ikebukuro with its origins. There used to be a natural pond on the grounds of this park, called Maruike, created by a natural spring. Maruike stands at the origin of the district's name, Ikebukuro.

The circular shape of the Global Ring evokes this ancient pond and has become an icon of Ikebukuro.

Hotels in Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro is home to many hotels for every taste and budget. If you're looking for comfort and stylish rooms, we recommend Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro , a classic hotel located near Ikebukuro Station's West Exit.

Picture courtesy of Booking.com Tokyo Stay Ikebukuro is an affordable accommodation located within a 4-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station. It offers modern and comfortable rooms and an excellent breakfast service.

Picture courtesy of Booking.com For a truly unique hotel experience in Tokyo, consider staying at OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka by Hoshino Resorts , which is located just one station away from Ikebukuro, near Otsuka Station. The rooms have an innovative design, and the facility's staff will guide you to the best dining spots in the area--a great way to learn more about the history and culture of this part of Tokyo.

For other options, click on the blue link below to find other hotels in the Ikebukuro area on Booking.com.

Ikebukuro, a Great Place for Every Kind of Entertainment

Ikebukuro Station is large and serves various lines such as the JR, Seibu Railway, Tobu Railway, and Tokyo Metro Lines.

The major shopping spots are gathered at the front of the station, so it’s a district where it is easy to enjoy shopping even on rainy days.

We hope this article will spark your interest in the area and that you will visit Ikebukuro next time you are in Tokyo.

Why is Ikebukuro famous?

Ikebukuro in Tokyo is celebrated for its fame as a vibrant district offering diverse attractions. Known as a shopping paradise, Ikebukuro features major department stores and specialty shops, catering to various tastes and budgets. The district's highlight is Sunshine City, a large entertainment complex hosting an aquarium, an observation deck, Namjatown, museums, shopping areas, and numerous dining options. Additionally, Ikebukuro serves as an entertainment hub, with cinemas, arcades, theaters, and a lively nightlife scene. Cultural attractions, a well-connected transportation hub via Ikebukuro Station, and a diverse dining scene complete the allure of this renowned district, making Ikebukuro a multifaceted and popular destination in Tokyo for both locals and tourists.

Is Ikebukuro a red light district?

Ikebukuro in Tokyo is not traditionally known as a major red light district compared to areas like Kabukicho in Shinjuku. While Ikebukuro does have entertainment establishments like bars, clubs, and some adult-oriented venues, it is more recognized for its shopping centers, entertainment options, cultural attractions, and vibrant commercial scene rather than being primarily associated with red light district activities. The area around Ikebukuro Station is bustling with restaurants, shops, department stores, and various entertainment venues. While there may be elements of nightlife and adult entertainment in Ikebukuro, it is not considered a prominent red light district in Tokyo.

Is Ikebukuro good for tourists?

Ikebukuro in Tokyo is an excellent choice for tourists seeking a dynamic and diverse travel experience. Renowned for its expansive shopping options, vibrant entertainment scene, cultural attractions like Sunshine City and Namjatown, and eclectic dining landscape, Ikebukuro offers a wide array of experiences to suit various interests. Its accessibility via Ikebukuro Station, coupled with a foreigner-friendly environment and immersive entertainment offerings, makes it a convenient and welcoming destination for travelers exploring Tokyo and enjoying the city's vibrant atmosphere.

What is the reputation of Ikebukuro?

Ikebukuro in Tokyo holds a reputation as a vibrant district known for its bustling commercial scene, diverse shopping options, and a wide array of dining choices. Boasting varied entertainment venues, cultural attractions, and a bustling nightlife, Ikebukuro offers opportunities for recreation and leisure. Its status as a major transportation hub with Ikebukuro Station facilitates easy access to different parts of Tokyo, while also featuring elements of otaku culture, adding to its appeal. With its dynamic atmosphere and multifaceted offerings, Ikebukuro stands out as a lively and popular destination for both locals and visitors in search of a diverse Tokyo experience.

Is Ikebukuro foreigner friendly?

Ikebukuro in Tokyo is regarded as foreigner-friendly due to its multicultural environment, tourist services, shopping and dining diversity, accessibility via public transportation, and overall safety. The district's popularity ensures English signage, multilingual staff, and amenities that cater to international visitors, making it easier for travelers to navigate, explore, and enjoy their time in Ikebukuro. While embracing its diverse clientele, the area maintains a welcoming atmosphere and helpful local community, contributing to a positive experience for foreigners discovering this vibrant Tokyo district.

Is Akihabara and Ikebukuro the same?

Akihabara and Ikebukuro, two completely different districts in Tokyo, offer contrasting experiences. Akihabara is famous for electronics, otaku culture, anime merchandise, maid cafes, and cosplay, making it a hub for tech enthusiasts and anime fans. In contrast, Ikebukuro is known for its shopping centers, entertainment venues like Sunshine City, indoor theme parks, and a diverse culinary scene. While Akihabara focuses on electronics and otaku culture, Ikebukuro provides a broader range of attractions beyond anime and manga, catering to varied interests and preferences in Tokyo.

The MATCHA editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.

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16 Fun Things to do in Ikebukuro: Recommendations for First-Time Visitors

Ikebukuro , easily accessible by the Yamanote loop line, is considered one of the greatest entertainment districts in Tokyo. It is lined with shopping malls , music venues, game centers, and a plethora of places for anime -lovers to enjoy. Ikebukuro is great for people of all ages, as well as families, because of its entertainment that stretches from aquarium to planetarium, museums to shrines , and endless dining options as well. Not only is it easily accessible from central Tokyo, but it is also conveniently accessed from neighboring prefectures such as Saitama, making for a great day trip no matter where you are. From morning to night, there’s never a dull moment in Ikebukuro with its options at hand for anyone who comes through. Main image: PIXTA

1. Sunshine City

2. shopping on sunshine 60 street, 3. sunshine aquarium and sky circus sunshine 60 observation deck, 4. namco namja town, 5. visit the otaku shops and otome road, 6. get the buzz on electronic products, 7. check out a maid or butler café, 8. hatoyama hall, 9. slurp up some ramen, 10. reeast room, 11. pokémon center mega tokyo, 12. kotsumate animal room, 13. tokyo metropolitan theatre, 14. explore shrines and temples, 15. listen to japanese bands at a local 'live house', 16. drink your way around town.

Sunshine City is one of the greatest symbols of Ikebukuro . The four-building complex boasts shops and restaurants, as well as a plethora of entertainment . Sunshine 60, the main and tallest building, has an observatory 240 meters above ground that is more than just your typical high rise with impeccable views. There are often promotional events and campaigns that occur here as well.

Sunshine 60 Street stretches for 200-meters near the East exit of JR Ikebukuro station, lined with a variety of shops for a shopping heaven experience on a lively street. It includes a cinema, arcades , cafes , restaurants, and retail stores from books to clothes, electronics to home goods, character goods to beauty supplies. There’s something for everyone, and if groups want to go at different paces, it’s easy to link back up after everyone gets a taste for their own shopping spree.

• Address 1-12-8, Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0013 View Map
• Nearest Station Higashi-Ikebukuro Station （Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line） 7 minutes on foot
• Phone Number 03-3981-5849

The Sunshine Aquarium is one of the main attractions; they are known for their cute penguins! What’s unique about this aquarium is that it is located on a rooftop, 40 meters above ground, and its theme is an “Oasis in the Sky”. The aquarium is known for its breeding efforts for ocean sunfish, bowmouth guitarfish, and various other large sea creatures. It stays true to its “Oasis in the Sky” theme with seasonal events such as “Dance with zebra sharks” and “flying penguins”. Sky Circus is located inside Sunshine 60, which is different from the area where the aquarium is located. This area includes thrilling 4D and VR experience rides at the indoor amusement park , the Ancient Orient Museum , a planetarium, and a theater.

Namja Town is an indoor theme park . This theme park , also inside Sunshine City, is produced by Namco, a well-known Japanese video game company. The park has carnival-style games , a haunted house, and exclusive characters who live here. If you’re a video game lover, there are promotional events that happen year-round so it’s worth checking out. Namja Town is also famous for gyoza ; with over ten different styles of gyoza to try and even more flavors of ice cream at the Fukubukuro Dessert Yokocho, it’s a perfect place to combine video game fun and food.

• Address The second floor of the sunshine city world import Mart Building, 3, Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0013 View Map
• Nearest Station Higashi-Ikebukuro Station （Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line） 3 minutes on foot
• Phone Number 03-5950-0765

If there’s one industry that Ikebukuro is a pro at, it’s Otaku culture. Otaku culture consists of anime , manga , and of course, video games . In this town, you can find rare goods for all the niche anime and manga . Some famous shops to visit include Animate, Mandarake, and K-Books. Otome Road is for a more niche crowd that mainly consists of female anime lovers. There is an annual Halloween cosplay walk that happens on this road as well, which is worth dressing up for or stopping by!

• Address 3, Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0013 View Map
• Nearest Station Ikebukuro Station （JR Shonan Shinjuku Line / JR Yamanote Line / JR Saikyo Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line / Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line / Seibu Ikebukuro Line / Tobu Tojo Line） 8 minutes on foot

Ikebukuro is known for huge electronic stores - similar to Akihabara . Shops such as BicCamera are great places to see and test out all kinds of electronics, from beauty to kitchenware. Duty-free shopping is also available at these shops.

• Address 1-5-7, Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0013 View Map
• Nearest Station Ikebukuro Station （JR Shonan Shinjuku Line / JR Yamanote Line / JR Saikyo Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line / Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line / Seibu Ikebukuro Line / Tobu Tojo Line） 3 minutes on foot
• Phone Number 03-5958-7770

Speaking of anime and manga , you might have heard of maid cafés in Japan. Ikebukuro has a number of maid cafés, and even a butler café that caters to (but not limited to) a more female-oriented crowd. Dress up and head to the Swallowtail Butler Café for a fancy serviced meal under glistening chandeliers. Or, if you want a differently quirky experience, head to a cafe like Maidreamin, where you can eat kawaii (cute) food and chat with girls dressed as maids.

If all the gaming and character talk has got you exhausted, there are other types of entertainment available in Ikebukuro , too. Visit Hatoyama Hall, which is also known as Otowa Palace, a Western-style residence commissioned by Ichiro Hatoyama in 1924. The architect, Okada Shinichi, also famously produced the Kabuki -za. However, the Hatoyama Hall is more influenced by European architecture . Some of the most beautiful aspects of this building are the stained-glass windows with a Japanese twist, and the rose garden with around 80 varieties.

• Address 1-7-1, Otowa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-0013 View Map
• Nearest Station Edogawabashi Station （Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line） 7 minutes on foot
• Phone Number 03-5976-2800

Ikebukuro has an abundance of food options, but especially a lot of Japan’s beloved ramen . Because the area is full of universities and vocational schools, ramen became a quick and cheap meal to satisfy the students’ needs. In Japan, “quick and cheap” isn't a synonym for “bad”. In fact, there are many unique and absolutely delicious ramen shops here - picking just one to try would be the tough part!

Not enough stress relief? Kick it up a notch by visiting Reeast Room; this entertainment space includes axe throwing, paint throwing rooms, and break rooms where you smash goods such as tvs and lamps. It’s a fun place to visit with a group of friends, or even solo!

While there are a few Pokémon Centers around Tokyo, the Ikebukuro branch is unique because it also consists of a café and the Pokémon GO Lab where you can battle with trainers. The café offers Pikachu-themed sweets as well as savory dishes such as ramen and curry that are all Pokémon-themed. Find rare goods, grab grub, and enjoy playing Pokémon with new or old friends.

• Address Sunshine City Specialty Store Street Alpa 2F, 3-1-2 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-6002 View Map
• Phone Number 03-5927-9290

Located in Higashi Ikebukuro , the Kotsumate Animal Room is an educational space to learn about a variety of animals up close and personal. Interact with animals such as otters and hedgehogs, to learn about the species and how to take care of animals.

Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020; it is a center for the arts and culture, and also known for possessing a pipe organ of the world’s largest class. Within the theater, there are four halls where various plays, music, dance, and art performances occur throughout the year. Not only that, there are halls used for exhibitions, conferences, and workshops as well. It’s worth noting what events are going on when you visit.

• Address 1-8-1, Nishiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 171-0021 View Map
• Nearest Station Ikebukuro Station （JR Shonan Shinjuku Line / JR Yamanote Line / JR Saikyo Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line / Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line / Seibu Ikebukuro Line / Tobu Tojo Line） 2 minutes on foot
• Phone Number 03-5391-2111

There are hidden gems in the form of shrines and temples all over Japan and Ikebukuro is no stranger to this. Shrines and temples often have a topic area they specialize in. For example, Zoshigaya Kishimojindo in Ikebukuro is known as the home to the goddess of healthy childbirth. Ikebukuro Mitake Shrine is a must-visit as you can spot adorable owl statues here (something you’ll soon see all over the town). You can also buy a small owl charm for good luck here. If you’re more of a fox lover, Sanja Shrine is an inari deity shrine , which is protected by foxes and a red torii gate.

Ikebukuro ’s music scene mostly consists of visually driven musical performances and Japanese Rock, which are exciting to experience since they’re rare to find overseas. At small bars and venues, walk-ins are usually welcome.

With any neighborhood in Tokyo, the possibilities for drinks in bars are endless. Choose from themed bars , such as Rock Bar Oasis; or you can choose by the type of drinks like beer or sake. You can have some places in mind (see the link below), or you can just wander around to find something you fancy.

Written by:

Nina Cataldo

Nina is a globe trotter and storyteller, constantly seeking adventures in her motherland of Japan. She's a collector of travel brochures, a lover of cats, and a half-daring foodie. She also likes to escape Tokyo city life from time to time to discover new trails in rural Japan, where she enjoys connecting with locals and wanderers alike. By profession, Nina is the co-author and editor of DUO Elements, a conversational English book series. Follow her on Instagram @nextstop_nina or Facebook @ninamcataldo.

• Area Ikebukuro
• Category Downtown Landmarks Other Contemporary Culture

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A guide to the new ikebukuro animate ・ tokyo’s 10 floors of otaku heaven.

Anime, manga, games – whatever your otaku obsession, you need to visit Animate’s new Ikebukuro, Tokyo flagship shop.

Animate in Ikebukuro

For Tokyo otakus in the know, Ikebukuro is the place for anime goods, cosplay, and more, despite Akihabara being the more famous name. And a major part of Ikebukuro’s nerdy reputation is thanks to Animate – Japan’s massive anime goods chain shop – and its enormous Ikebukuro flagship store. Standing at the heart of the Ikebukuro neighborhood for 40 years, the multi-floored complex has long been the go-to shopping for all things anime-related, bringing generations of otakus to the area. But to celebrate 40 years, and a wave of international anime fans finally arriving back in the country post-covid, this spring the Ikebukuro Animate got a long-awaited makeover. The totally renovated building now has even more to love than before, with 10 whole floors stuffed full of anime and manga goods, merchandise from popular games and popular indie creators, shelves of manga and anime (and even anime CDs), and even event spaces and cafes. If you love anime, you might never want to leave.

Animate Ikebukuro Flagship (アニメイト池袋本店) 1-20-7 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo Official Website (jp)

1st Floor: Gashapon, Coffee, & More

Going for flexibility over impact, Animate’s flagship has never had a very impressive first floor, and so the tradition continues. Stop in for an awkwardly placed rotating selection of gashapon machines full of anime merchandise from all the latest hits, or head to the Animate Cafe Gratte counter for lattes and sugar cookies with printed anime decorations, including some surprisingly spicy BL scenes.

2nd~3rd Floor: Manga, Manga, Manga, from Shonen Jump to Boys Love

Two full floors packed with dozens of shelves, each one lined with volumes and volumes of Japanese manga… if you can read Japanese (or don’t mind muddling your way through with pictures alone) this is truly a manga-lover’s paradise. The two floors are mainly divided by general genres, with action-packed shounen manga and mature seinen stories mostly collected together on the second floor, and the third floor making space for romantic shoujo manga and some raunchy boys love volumes. The second floor also has the staff’s latest recommendations on display, whereas the third floor has a section dedicated to art supplies for the budding manga-ka (pens, paper, markers, etc) alongside magazines, doujinshi, and a little “Waku Waku Space” for special events.

4th~5th Floor: Anime Merch and Character Goods of All Shapes and Sizes

Here we come to the heart of Animate – all the keychains, accessories, stuffed toys, stationery, and miscellaneous ephemera you could ever want, from every anime, manga, game, and even random illustrator under the sun. There are shelves full of bits and bobs from My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, Naruto, and more. There’s a TCG corner full of trading cards from every game popular in Japan. There’s a Pokemon area full of hundreds of little stuffed pocket monsters. There’s even a whole wall dubbed “Space A la mode” on the 4th floor, dedicated to special anime apparel and accessories like a Kaiba Corp jacket that everyone on the floor seemed drawn to.

6th Floor: Anime, Games, Music, and a TCG Battleground

If you’ve been hoping to pick up some actual anime DVDs to add to your collection, or new games to practice Japanese, this floor has you covered! There are shelves of DVD and game cases lined up from wall to wall, along with a surprisingly large selection of music as well – from the latest hit songs used as anime openings, to cheesy recordings from anime voice actors in character.

Separate from the music madness, the sixth floor is also home to Animate Ikebukuro’s very first Duel Space!

7th Floor: Pop-Up Shops at the Only Shop

The seventh floor at Animate Ikebukuro is officially dubbed the Only Shop, and it’s a space dedicated to the kind of pop-up shop that comes complete with exhibitions and photo spots. When your favorite anime, manga, or game get’s its own time at the Only Shop, it’s a chance to enjoy some extra content and then pick up some special merchandise before you head out!

8th~9th Floor + the B2 Basement: Animate Events of All Kinds

The Ikebukuro Animate flagship has multiple floors dedicated to various kinds of events, at the top and bottom of the building. The eighth-floor Space Galleria is an exhibition space, set up and ready to host exhibitions for anime and manga series, novels, games, theatrical performances, and any other kind of art that might make its way to Ikebukuro. The ninth floor, at the very top of the building, is taken up by the Animate Hall Black and Animate Hall White, two auditorium rooms made for small-scale live performances, discussions and talks, book signings, and more. Back down in the basement, the Animate Theater is a similar kind of event space, but with all the plush seats and velvet curtains of a theater. Between these three floors, Anime Ikebukuro is ready to host some pretty exciting events for the otakus of Tokyo in the coming years.

The Same Old Animate with a Lot More Pizzazz

For Ikebukuro regulars who have been frequenting the Animate flagship for years, the specific product lineup at the new and improved shop might not be much of a surprise. Animate has always been heaven for otakus, with all the merchandise and manga you could dream of. But there’s no denying that this major renovation has brought new energy to the facility, turning it into a whole shopping and entertainment complex with a whole lot of potential. The long-awaited renovations might finally be over, but here at Japankuru, we can’t wait to see what’s still to come!

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don’t forget to follow us on  Twitter ,  Instagram , and  Facebook !

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Where is: Game Safari Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan

Started by zos'la, January 11, 2011, 03:05:19 PM

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Suggestion of Motion

5 days in tokyo: saturday in ikebukuro.

From Akihabara to Harajuku, I’ve been surprised time and again by how calm and peaceful Tokyo’s neighborhoods are. Some neighborhoods (ahem, Ebisu) have practically been ghost towns.

Today we’re in Ikebukuro.

On a Saturday.

The game has changed.

Catching Waves at Ikebukuro Station

Ikebukuro Station is one of the busiest subway stations in the world , second only to Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station.

The doors of the train slide open with a hiss and a we are instantly swept out into a sea of commuters. Turbulent currents of crowds push and pull in every direction, threatening to take you with them to destinations unknown.

We catch a wave of arms and legs and ride it. Once you stop fighting the current, you find that you can move relatively quickly throughout the station.

Changing directions is a different matter. We see an exit, but that’s not where this wave is going, so we ride on.

Thankfully, Ikebukuro Station has much to offer, should you never reach the surface. The station is expansive– as we do our best to navigate the crowds, we see more shops and restaurants than we have at any other train station in Tokyo.

We spy a small kiosk with a long line, which is usually a good sign. This is a Kanesue kiosk, and they’re making fresh Warabi Mochi right before our eyes.

A little girl is having a staring contest with the Ichigo Daifuku on the counter. It has me beat before I can even blink.

The daifuku is topped with a bright red strawberry ( ichigo ) overflowing with sweet flavor. The fresh rose-colored mochi is incredibly soft and delicate.

Energized by the mochi, we dive back into the sea of people, determined to find an exit. Above heads bobbing like the surface of an uneasy ocean, the white light of the Takano department store shines like a beacon of refuge.

Eventually we reach the wide doors of Takano, but we are not prepared for what we find.

The entire floor of the store is filled with food. Extending far into the distance are display cases containing mochi, pastries, senbei, cakes, waffles, and even $80 melons.

The Streets of Ikebukuro

We finally reach the surface and take our first breath of the fresh Ikebukuro air.

Strangely, it doesn’t feel any less crowded out here in the open than it did down in the station. In fact, it actually feels more congested.

Today is Saturday, and it appears that all of Tokyo has come out to Ikebukuro to enjoy the weekend.

Things began to make more sense as we walk further from the station. Ikebukuro is almost completely composed of shopping and entertainment. The streets are lined with multi-level video game arcades and movie theaters sit on every corner.

Ikebukuro has everything you want for a fun-filled weekend in Tokyo.

Well, almost everything.

We’ve built up a good appetite from navigating the crowds of Ikebukuro. It’s time for lunch, but food unfortunately appears to be an afterthought here.

You’ll only find fast food and convenience stores meant for a quick bite to eat as you pass from one video game arcade to another in this entertainment-centric district.

We’re not quite that desperate yet, so we wade through the crowds and fight the current to make our way back to the train station to seek out another part of Tokyo with fewer crowds and more food.

From what we’ve seen in Ikebukuro today, we might be searching for some time.

• 5 Days in Tokyo
• Otsuka — Tucked between Tokyo’s hot spots is a place where golden hour never ends.
• A Different View of Harajuku — We discover that serenity is surprisingly easy to find in Harajuku.
• Lost in Ebisu — A random stop in Tokyo turns out to be more than we bargained for.
• Old Town Akihabara — Pass under the bridge to a different side of Tokyo’s futuristic district.
• Ginza to Tsukiji — A search for fresh fish leads to a surprising discovery about Tokyo’s Ginza district.
• Lunch at Tsukiji Fish Market — This is where you go to get the freshest fish in Tokyo.
• The Solitary Soldier — Sunset at Japan’s Imperial Palace.
• Finding Peace in Hibiya Park — A small pocket of peace amidst Tokyo’s never-ending activity.
• Cats of Hibiya Park — Hanging out with some furry friends.
• Saturday in Ikebukuro — Ikebukuro. Weekend. It’s over.
• Okachimachi Crunchy — Walking down Tokyo’s multifaceted shopping boulevard.
• Hidden Yanaka — Frozen in time.

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• Kanesue Ichigo Daifuku — Anko-filled mochi with a strawberry on top. You want this.