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. It is one of Japan's busiest railway stations, handling over a million passengers per day.

Ikebukuro offers plenty of entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities. It is the battleground 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 has also a stake in Sunshine City, a large commercial complex not far from the station.

While not as 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. 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 (upper floors 10:30 to 19:00)
    Restaurants: 11:00 to 22:00
  • 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 weekends and holidays)

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. The complex contains shops and restaurants, an aquarium, planetarium, museum, indoor theme parks, as well as the Sunshine Prince Hotel and offices. Sunshine City's shops are open daily from 10:00 to 20:00 and its restaurants from 11:00 to 22:00.

  • Sunshine 60 Observation Deck
    Hours: 10:00 to 21:00 (entry until 20:00)
    Closed: No closing days
    Admission: 700-1200 yen depending on the day
  • Namja Town
    Hours: 10:00 to 21:00 (entry until 20:00)
    Closed: No closing days
    Admission: 1000 yen (entry only), 3700 yen (entry and unlimited rides)
  • Sunshine Aquarium
    Hours vary; typically 9:30 to 21:00 in spring and summer, and 10:00 to 18:00 in autumn and winter
    Closed: No closing days
    Admission: 2600-2800 yen depending on the day

Electronics stores

  • Bic Camera
    Hours: 10:00 to 22:00
  • Yamada Denki
    Hours: 10:00 to 22:00

Other attractions

  • Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
    Times and fees vary by event

Getting there and around

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 210 yen by the Marunouchi Subway Line or 25 minutes and 210 yen by the JR Yamanote Line.

From Shinjuku Station

8 minutes and 170 yen by the JR Yamanote, Saikyo or Shonan-Shinjuku lines.

Orientation in Tokyo

Hotels around Tokyo

Top rated in Ikebukuro
Budget:
    • hotel hisoca ikebukuro
      Luxury
      Hotel hisoca ikebukuro is ideally located in the centre of Tokyo, and offers a shared lounge, free WiFi and a terrace. The property is around 200 metres from Ikebukuro Nishi-guchi Park, 300 metres from Nishi-Ikebukuro Park and 500 metres from Ikefukurou Statue. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a toaster, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Hotel hisoca ikebukuro offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna. The accommodation can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Popular points of interest near hotel hisoca ikebukuro include Metropolitan Plaza, Ikebukuro Station and Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 24 km from the hotel.
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    • MIMARU Tokyo Ikebukuro
      Luxury
      Situated in the Toshima district in Tokyo, MIMARU Tokyo Ikebukuro offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is set 700 metres from Metropolitan Plaza, less than 1 km from Nishi-Ikebukuro Park and a 9-minute walk from Wacca Ikebukuro. The property is 500 metres from Ikebukuro Mitake Shrine, and within 500 metres of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At MIMARU Tokyo Ikebukuro the rooms have bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Ikebukuro Nishi-guchi Park, Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro and Ikebukuro Station. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 25 km from the property.
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    • Eisei Stay
      Mid-range
      Situated in the Toshima district in Tokyo, Eisei Stay offers 3-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is close to Koyasuinari Shrine, Wacca Ikebukuro and Ikebukuro Suiten-gu Shrine. The property is 500 metres from the city centre and 700 metres from Ikebukuro Mitake Shrine. At the hotel rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a desk, a balcony with a city view, a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, bed linen and towels. The rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Popular points of interest near Eisei Stay include Ikebukuro Nishi-guchi Park, Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro and Ikebukuro Station. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 27 km from the accommodation.
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    • Dormy Inn Ikebukuro
      Mid-range
      Located in the centre of Tokyo, Dormy Inn Ikebukuro is situated 300 metres from Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park and 700 metres from Hinodechou Park. The property is around 800 metres from Shusseinari Shrine, 700 metres from Ancient Orient Museum and 800 metres from Koyasuinari Shrine. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, every room is equipped with a desk. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Guests at Dormy Inn Ikebukuro can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The accommodation offers 3-star accommodation with a sauna. Speaking English and Japanese, staff are willing to help at any time of the day at the reception. Popular points of interest near Dormy Inn Ikebukuro include Wacca Ikebukuro, Ikebukuro Suiten-gu Shrine and Honryuji Temple. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 27 km away.
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    • OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka by Hoshino Resorts
      Luxury
      Located in Tokyo, OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka by Hoshino Resorts is offers various facilities, such as a terrace, a shared lounge and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The property is a minute's walk to JR Otsuka Station and a 20 minute train ride to Tokyo Station. The units in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. With a private bathroom fitted with a bath and free toiletries, rooms at OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka by Hoshino Resorts also offer a city view. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. A Full English/Irish breakfast is served each morning at the property. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is 6 km from the accommodation, while Japan Imperial Palace is 6 km away. Tokyo Haneda International Airport and Narita International Airport are 1 hour away by train from the property.
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    • Hatoya Hotel
      Budget-friendly
      A 7-minute walk from Exit C6 of Ikebukuro Station, Hatoya Hotel offers affordable accommodations with free Wi-Fi throughout. Each Western-style room is equipped with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The lively Shinjuku Station is a 16-minute train ride away. The air-conditioned rooms feature a refrigerator. The en suite bathroom includes a bath and toilet. Slippers are available as well. En electric kettle, coffee cups, shampoo, body soap and hairdryer can be borrowed, upon request at check-in. The hotel offers luggage storage service. Hotel Hatoya is a 30-minute train ride and walk to the famous Meiji Shrine and the Harajuku shopping district. Convenience stores and supermarkets are located near the property.
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    • Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro
      Luxury
      Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro is located in central Tokyo next to Ikebukuro Train Station, offering easy transport links. The hotel features a spa, 6 restaurants and free in-room wired internet. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. The air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro feature panoramic city views. Each room includes tea-making facilities and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Guests can relax in the spa bath, swim in the 2-lane indoor pool or work out at the fitness centre (all with minimum age limit and surcharge). The hotel also features an aesthetic salon. Dining options at the hotel include Japanese, Chinese and European cuisines. The 25th-floor Est Italian Restaurant and Ovest Bar offer spectacular city views. Cross Dine Restaurant serves an international buffet spread. Ikebukuro Station offers 5 train lines and 3 subway lines, including direct access to the Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya areas. Airport buses to Haneda and Narita Airport come directly to Metropolitan Hotel.(The limousine bus may be suspended due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).)
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    • Super Hotel Premier Ikebukuro Natural Hot Spring
      Mid-range
      Attractively located in the Toshima district of Tokyo, Super Hotel Premier Ikebukuro Natural Hot Spring is situated 700 metres from Ikebukuro Nishi-guchi Park, less than 1 km from Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro and a 11-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is 400 metres from the city centre and 700 metres from Ikebukuro Mitake Shrine. At the hotel, rooms come with a desk. The rooms in Super Hotel Premier Ikebukuro Natural Hot Spring are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. At the accommodation guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. Popular points of interest near Super Hotel Premier Ikebukuro Natural Hot Spring include Metropolitan Plaza, Koyasuinari Shrine and Wacca Ikebukuro. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 27 km from the hotel.
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    • TIME SHARING STAY Ikebukuro
      Mid-range
      Set in the centre of Tokyo, 300 metres from Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park and 500 metres from Ancient Orient Museum, TIME SHARING STAY Ikebukuro offers free WiFi and air conditioning. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Otsukadai Park, Honryuji Temple, and Minami-Ikebukuro Park. This 3-star aparthotel offers private entrance. At the aparthotel, the units have a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. At the aparthotel, all units are soundproof. The units are equipped with heating facilities. If you prefer to cook in the comfort of your own place, you can make use of the kitchenette facilities, which include a fridge, kettle and kitchenware. A bicycle rental service is available at the aparthotel. Popular points of interest near TIME SHARING STAY Ikebukuro include Hinodechou Park, Wacca Ikebukuro and Shusseinari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 26 km from the accommodation.
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    • Petit Bali Ikebukuro
      Mid-range
      Set in the centre of Tokyo, Petit Bali Ikebukuro is situated 500 metres from Ikebukuro Nishi-guchi Park and 500 metres from Nishi-Ikebukuro Park. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation offers karaoke and room service. All guest rooms come with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. All rooms in the hotel are fitted with a TV and a hairdryer. You can play darts at Petit Bali Ikebukuro. Staff at the accommodation are always available to provide information at the reception. Popular points of interest near Petit Bali Ikebukuro include Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro, Ikebukuro Station and Metropolitan Plaza. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 25 km from the hotel.
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