Sign in for a personalized experience.
Japan Guide Homepage
Travel
Living
A-Z
Forum
Jobs
Friends
Shopping
Essentials
-
Sightseeing
-
Accommodation
-
Transportation
-
Food
-
Budget Travel
-
Shopping
-
Questions
Search this site
Online Reservations
Hotel
 
Flight
 
Bus

(check-in)

Online Ticket Bookings Online Ticket Bookings
Special fares for domestic air tickets
Online Hostel Bookings Online Hostel Bookings
Hostels and inexpensive ryokan from $10 per night!
Car Rentals Car Rentals
Compact cars from around 4,000 Yen/day!

Related Pages
Travel
Sightseeing
Kanto Region
Tokyo

Central Tokyo
Western Tokyo
Southern Tokyo
Outlying Areas

Northern Tokyo
Asakusa
Sensoji Temple
Kappabashi Street
Ueno Park
Ameyoko
Ryogoku
Rikugien Garden
Koishikawa Botanical Garden
Ikebukuro
Sugamo

Tokyo Hotel Guide

Tokyo: Orientation

Related Questions
Triple sharing at Tokyo House...
 0 reactions, last updated 125 days ago
Haneda to Sunshine Prince hotel
 2 reactions, last updated 172 days ago
Hotels In Ikebukuro
 2 reactions, last updated 331 days ago
Ryokan/minshuku in ikebukuro
 2 reactions, last updated 380 days ago
From Narita Airport to Ikebukuro
 3 reactions, last updated 491 days ago
Anything special in Ikebukuro?
 7 reactions, last updated 511 days ago
Dai ishi Hotel
 5 reactions, last updated 533 days ago
Breakfast in Ikebukuro
 9 reactions, last updated 632 days ago
Burberry Blue Label in Ikebukuro?...
 1 reaction, last updated 649 days ago
Large Locker at Ikebukuro Station...
 4 reactions, last updated 674 days ago
Hokkaido crab place or Kani...
 2 reactions, last updated 782 days ago
Is tokyo Joypolis closed?
 2 reactions, last updated 5 days ago
Clubs/Gigs/things to do in...
 0 reactions, last updated 6 days ago
Haneda Airport - catch 6:20am...
 0 reactions, last updated 20 days ago
Tokyo railway pass and...
 6 reactions, last updated 26 days ago
Ice Skating Rink Tokyo Midtown...
 3 reactions, last updated 30 days ago
Haneda to Shinjuku with arrival...
 4 reactions, last updated 32 days ago
Takao san sunrise on Jan. 1
 0 reactions, last updated 34 days ago
New Year fireworks in Tokyo
 2 reactions, last updated 35 days ago
What time to line up on Jan. 2?
 2 reactions, last updated 35 days ago

Japan Sightseeing Guide
Hokkaido
Sapporo
Otaru
Hakodate
Asahikawa
Furano
Abashiri
Noboribetsu
Niseko
Lake Toya
Daisetsuzan
Shiretoko
Rishiri Rebun
Akan

Tohoku
Sendai
Matsushima
Hiraizumi
Akita
Kakunodate
Hachimantai
Aomori
Hirosaki
Lake Towada
Shimokita Hanto
Dewa Sanzan
Yamadera
Aizu
Bandai

Kanto
Tokyo
Yokohama
Kamakura
Nikko
Kinugawa
Hakone
Kawagoe
Kusatsu
Ikaho
Minakami
Oze
Narita
Ogasawara

Chubu
Nagoya
Inuyama
Mt.Fuji
Fujigoko
Izu Peninsula
Shizuoka
Hamanako
Nagano
Bessho Onsen
Matsumoto
Kamikochi
Kiso Valley
Hakuba
Yamanouchi
Sado Island
Takayama
Okuhida
Shirakawa-go
Gujo
Gero Onsen
Kanazawa
Kaga Onsen
Noto Peninsula

Kansai
Kyoto
Osaka
Nara
Kobe
Himeji
Kinosaki
Mount Koya
Kumano
Asuka
Yoshino
Amanohashidate
Hikone
Iga Ueno
Ise Shima

Chugoku
Hiroshima
Miyajima
Onomichi
Okayama
Kurashiki
Takahashi
Inujima
Tottori
Daisen
Matsue
Iwami Ginzan
Iwakuni
Yamaguchi
Hagi

Shikoku
Takamatsu
Kotohira
Naoshima
Shodoshima
Matsuyama
Uchiko
Kochi
Tokushima
Naruto

Kyushu
Fukuoka
Dazaifu
Arita
Nagasaki
Shimabara
Kumamoto
Mount Aso
Kurokawa
Minamata
Beppu
Yufuin
Mount Kuju
Miyazaki
Takachiho
Kagoshima
Kirishima
Satsuma Hanto
Yakushima

Okinawa
Honto
Kume
Miyako
Yaeyama

Survey
Have you visited Japan in the last 3 years?
Yes
No
see results
Other Surveys:
Preferred Airport
Favorite hotel reservation website
Favorite travel guide books
How to improve tourism
Next trip to Japan
Purpose of visit
Most popular region
Have you recently entered Japan?

japan-guide.com newsletter
Keeping you up to date on Japan travel and living related issues and site updates. Click here to subscribe!

Sponsored Listings
Car Rental
The cheapest rates in Japan!
Tour Packages
Guided and individual tour plans.
Japan - Order FREE Brochure!
About vacation plans and specialty travel.

Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kanto - Tokyo - Northern Tokyo
Ikebukuro
# 10   of 60 most visited
sights in Tokyo
access  -  hotels  -  reports  -  ratings  -  shops  -  tours  -  links
Ikebukuro Station viewed from the Sunshine City observation deck

Ikebukuro (’r‘Ü) is one of Tokyo's multiple city centers, found around the northwestern corner of the Yamanote loop line. At the district's center stands Ikebukuro Station, a busy commuter hub traversed by three subway and multiple urban and suburban train lines. The station handles over a million passengers per day, making it the second busiest railway station surpassed only by Shinjuku Station.

Ikebukuro offers plenty of entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities. It is the battle ground between the Tobu and Seibu conglomerates which operate large department stores on each side of the station, as well as train lines from Ikebukuro into the suburbs. Seibu furthermore has a stake in the Sunshine City, a large shopping and entertainment complex not far from the station.

Manga and cosplay shops along Otome Road

Ikebukuro has also become the site of a more recent clashing of two of Japan's largest electronic retailers, Bic Camera and Yamada Denki. Bic Camera had been dominating the district for decades with its main store until Yamada Denki opened its first outlet there in 2007. Since then, the two retailers have been engaging in fierce competition in multiple branches around the station.

While not as large or well known as Akihabara, Ikebukuro is also a center of otaku culture. Unlike Akihabara, Ikebukuro caters more to a female clientele with butler cafes and anime, manga and cosplay related shops such as Animate, Mandarake and K-Books. The center of the female otaku scene is located along Otome Road just north of Sunshine City. It is also said to be a good place to find dojinshi, or self published manga or novels, especially those produced for women.

Department Stores

Tobu
Hours: 10:00 to 20:00 (some floors open until 21:00 except on Sundays)
Restaurants: from 11:00 (closing times vary)
Closed: No closing days
Located on top of the west exit of Ikebukuro Station is the Tobu Department Store, one of Tokyo's largest department stores. It belongs to the Tobu Group, which also operates several suburban railway lines, including the Tobu Tojo Line which terminates at Ikebukuro Station.

Seibu
Shops: 10:00 to 21:00 (until 20:00 on Sundays and national holidays)
Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00 (from 10:30 on Sundays and holidays)
Closed: No closing days
Located on top of the east exit of Ikebukuro Station is the flagship Seibu Department Store, another of Tokyo's largest department stores. It belongs to the Seibu Group, which also operates several suburban railway lines, including the Seibu Ikebukuro Line which terminates at Ikebukuro Station.

Marui
Hours: 10:00 to 20:30
Closed: No closing days
Marui Department Store is a leading fashion retailer with branch stores in almost all of Tokyo's major districts. Marui's Ikebukuro Branch is located a few blocks west of Ikebukuro Station and sells mens and womens fashion and accessories and household goods.

Sunshine City

Opened in 1978, Sunshine City is Tokyo's first city within the city. The focal point of the complex is the 240 meter tall Sunshine 60 skyscraper with an observation deck on its top floor. The complex also contains shops and restaurants, an aquarium, planetarium, museum, indoor theme park, as well as the Sunshine Prince Hotel, convention space and offices. Sunshine City's shops are open daily from 10:00 to 20:00, restaurants from 11:00 to 22:00.

Sunshine 60 Observation Deck
Open: 10:00 to 21:30 (special hours during Christmas and New Years)
Sky Deck is open weekends, holidays and everyday from Dec 18 to Jan 10
Entry ends 30 minutes before closing
Admission: 620 yen
The observation deck has an enclosed lower level and an upper open air "sky deck", located on the top floor of the 240 meter tall Sunshine 60 skyscraper. While not as centrally located as other observation decks in Tokyo, it is one of only a very few to feature an open air deck.

Sunshine Namja Town
Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (entry until 21:00)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 300 yen
Sunshine Namja Town is an indoor theme park by Namco, the creator of Pacman and many other arcade games and leisure products. The theme park recreates Tokyo alleys of past decades and features games, rides, shops and three food theme parks about gyoza, ice cream and chou cream.

Sunshine Aquarium
Hours: 10:00 to 20:00 (until 18:00 from November through March)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1800 yen
The Sunshine Aquarium exhibits creatures from seas, oceans and tropical forests around the world, including stingrays, sunfish, frogs, snakes, penguins, seals and otters. Located on the 10th floor of the World Import Mart Building in the Sunshine City complex, the aquarium was recently renovated and reopened in summer 2011.

Electronics Stores

Bic Camera
Hours: 10:00 to 22:00
Closed: No closing days
Bic Camera, one of Japan's leading discount electronics retailers, has its flagship store at the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station. Several more branch stores are located on both sides of the station, including a new outlet branch.

Yamada Denki
Hours: 10:00 to 22:00
Closed: No closing days
Yamada Denki is one of Japan's most successful electronics chains, and has recently opened branches around Ikebukuro Station in direct competition with Bic Camera. Its branches are found on the east side of the station.

Other Attractions

Amlux
Hours: 11:00 to 19:00 (the basement and first floor are open until 21:00)
Closed: Mondays (unless Monday is a national holiday)
Admission: Free
Amlux is a Toyota showroom connected to Sunshine City, that showcases Toyota's newest car models and technology. Here you can get a hands on experience with the new cars, test drive some models for a small fee and watch marching band performances by robots.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
Times and fees vary by event
The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space is a public art center that mainly features performing arts, especially concerts, operas, theater and musicals. Its main hall is equipped with one of the largest pipe organs in Japan.

Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there
Ikebukuro Station is a major station on the JR Yamanote Line. It is also served by the JR Saikyo Line, JR Shonan Shinjuku Line, Tobu Tojo Line, Seibu Ikebukuro Line and the Marunouchi, Yurakucho and Fukutoshin Subway Lines.

From Tokyo Station:
15 minutes and 190 yen by the Marunouchi Subway Line or 25 minutes and 190 yen by the JR Yamanote Line.

From Shinjuku Station:
8 minutes and 150 yen by the JR Yamanote, Saikyo or Shonan Shinjuku Lines.

Orientation in Tokyo

Hotels and Ryokan
Ikebukuro is not Tokyo's best reputed district, but its location around the city's second biggest train station makes it a convenient place to stay. Ikebukuro is among the cheapest places along the Yamanote Line, and offers low budget options as well as comfortable three and four star hotels.

Read more in our Tokyo Hotel Guide

Sponsor Hotels
Shin-Okubo International Hotel
Opened in 2011. From 4000Yen. 5min walk from JR Shin-Okubo Sta. and Okubo Sta. Walking distance of Shinjuku downtown.
Recommended Hotels around Ikebukuro - with lowest rates by selected hotel reservation websites
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo
Good value for its convenient location adjacent to Ikebukuro Station.
Agoda
from $166 (1 person)
from $181 (2 persons)
Sakura Hostel Ikebukuro
One of the most affordable options in Ikebukuro, a 5-10 minute walk from the station.
Hostelworld
from $43 (1 person)
from $86 (2 persons)
Agoda
from $36 (1 person)
from $104 (2 persons)
Sunshine City Prince Hotel
Located inside the popular Sunshine City complex in Ikebukuro.
Agoda
from $196 (1 person)
from $195 (2 persons)
Search Hotels
In:
From:
For:
Website:
or read our Tokyo Hotel Guide

Advertisements

News and Reports
December 13, 2011
Tokyo Autumn Color Report
by schauwecker
December 5, 2011
Tokyo Autumn Color Report
by scott
November 27, 2011
Tokyo Autumn Color Report
by scott
November 22, 2011
Tokyo Autumn Color Report
by scott
November 15, 2011
Tokyo Autumn Color Report
by scott
November 14, 2011
Christmas lights in Roppongi Hills Tokyo
by aginorz
October 24, 2011
Halloween in Tokyo
by aginorz
October 13, 2011
Tokyo Fall Colors?
by schauwecker
More reports...

Travel Community
Ratings for Ikebukuro:
japan-guide.com Rating:
  interesting  
User Rating (by 1330 users):
76/100
  recommended

Popularity of Ikebukuro:
Users who have been to Tokyo: 5855
Users who have been to Ikebukuro: 2538
10th of 60 most visited sights in Tokyo.
10th of 726 most visited sights nationwide.

Have you been to Ikebukuro?
User Feedback
We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

Useful Vocabulary

Shop Directory
Animate (Ikebukuro Flagship Store)
If you're looking for Japanese anime merchandise, please come check us out! Animate Ikebukuro is the flagship...
Tenzan
ACOS Ikebukuro
More shops...

Tours and Packages
Tokyo Tours
Various tours and travel packages for Tokyo and surroundings.

English Links
Tobu Department Store
Official English website.
Marui Department Store
Official English website.
Toyota Amlux
Official English website.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
Official English website.

Japanese Links
Tobu Department Store
Official website.
Seibu Department Store
Official website.
Sunshine City
Official website.
Sunshine Namja Town
Official website.
Toyota Amlux
Official website.
Marui
Official website.
Bic Camera
Official website.
Yamada Denki
Official website.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
Official website.

 

Travel
Living
Japan A-Z
Community
Sightseeing
Accommodation
Transportation
Shopping
Essentials
Regions
Prefectures
Cities
Working
Studying
Living Cost
Apartments
Arts and Crafts
Entertainment
History
Religion
Etiquette
Food
Language
Tradition
Question Forum
Classifieds
Trip Reports
Member Area
 
83 users are currently online: Nohemy, JJ8333, kigurumi888, SuireI, jasmine01, rain017, Takuya8, Gflow, its yumi, abi12, aalleexxiiaa, massunchan, Tomopeth, ryoma21, Arisa f, fuuka525, Marifer, Kittylover2939, flowercoco, Yoaken, gyonja, Hugh VS, Danorin, Anamanitas, MaiMai8299, yayoi19, sungjong, Keiko2012, gabulc, msum1, kaori0201, A Neo, happyshineangel, aprikose, jeipi, Akiranran, Napisa, winksniper, arechisun, acha23tvxq, lily000, Gusta2012, Zinziber, MatthewK, hakoniwa07, Madiee, mo bari, Akari smile, DennisNT, hanamomo1231, Jim2085, Mai JPN Tutor, omotenashi, nogio, Musicismylifeforsure, TropicaLx, Cinnab0n, wangjue, Zakamon, Lets go to karaoke, makichan929, fragoneta, vacillation, Ryo Shinomiya, samdelhi, Safii, PikaChuuu, tenshi halhal, pelangi2011, Kagomez, William5, MichaelTav, nao0326, Pao10, momna, lam kit, KKKCHAN, yukikoizumi, Norton, 2cool4u, kaimulovy, Rebecca Chen, nikaragense
Sign in for a personalized experience.
 
Copyright © 1996-2012 japan-guide.com All rights reserved - Last Page Update: August 4, 2011
home - site map - privacy policy - terms of use - contact - employment - L‚ɂ‚¢‚Ä - advertising