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
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.
Electronics stores
Other attractions
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.
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Links and Resources
Hotels around Tokyo
Top rated in Ikebukuro
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hotel hisoca ikebukuroHotel hisoca ikebukuro is ideally located in the centre of Tokyo, and offers a shared lounge, free WiFi and a terrace. This property is set a short distance from attractions such as Ikebukuro Nishi-guchi Park, Nishi-Ikebukuro Park, and 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 bidet. Hotel hisoca ikebukuro offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna and hot tub. 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. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 24 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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MIMARU Tokyo IkebukuroIdeally situated in the Toshima district of Tokyo, MIMARU Tokyo Ikebukuro is situated 600 metres from Ikebukuro Nishi-guchi Park, 700 metres from Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro and 800 metres from Ikebukuro Station. This 4-star hotel offers free WiFi. The property is 500 metres from the city centre and 500 metres from Ikebukuro Mitake Shrine. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All rooms have a wardrobe. Popular points of interest near MIMARU Tokyo Ikebukuro include Metropolitan Plaza, Nishi-Ikebukuro Park and Wacca Ikebukuro. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 25 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Dormy Inn IkebukuroLocated 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.View on Booking.com -
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Eisei StaySituated in the Toshima district in Tokyo, Eisei Stay offers 3-star rooms with free WiFi. Popular points of interest nearby include 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 flat-screen TV, a private bathroom and a balcony with a city view. 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. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 27 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo IkebukuroHotel 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).)View on Booking.com -
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Super Hotel Premier Ikebukuro Natural Hot SpringSituated in the Toshima district in Tokyo, Super Hotel Premier Ikebukuro Natural Hot Spring offers 3-star rooms with free WiFi. Popular points of interest nearby include Metropolitan Plaza, Koyasuinari Shrine and Wacca Ikebukuro. The property is 700 metres from Ikebukuro Mitake Shrine, and within 400 metres of the city centre. At the hotel, rooms come with a desk. At Super Hotel Premier Ikebukuro Natural Hot Spring guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Ikebukuro Nishi-guchi Park, Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro and Ikebukuro Station. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 27 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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HOTEL APERTO (Adult Only)Conveniently located in the Toshima district of Tokyo, HOTEL APERTO (Adult Only) is set 400 metres from Koyasu Tenman-gu Sugawara Shrine, 400 metres from Otsuka Mosque and 300 metres from Tenso Shrine. This 3-star hotel offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The property is 300 metres from Sugamo Park, and within 1.5 km of the city centre. All guest rooms at the hotel feature air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, Blu-ray player, and a private bathroom with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. The rooms in HOTEL APERTO (Adult Only) are fitted with slippers and a CD player. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Toshima Ward Minamiotsuka Park, Shusseinari Shrine and Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 26 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka by Hoshino ResortsLocated 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.View on Booking.com -
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Hatoya HotelA 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.View on Booking.com -
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Restay Frontier (Adult Only)Ideally located in the centre of Tokyo, Restay Frontier (Adult Only) is within 600 metres of Shusseinari Shrine and 400 metres of Sugamo Park. This 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. The hotel has a hot tub, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All guest rooms in Restay Frontier (Adult Only) are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Otsukadai Park, Miyanaka Park and Nishisugamo Park. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 27 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Tokyo Restaurants
Recommended in Tokyo
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Udatsu SushiAwarded One Star in 2024 - People from around the world visit to experience Mr. Udatsu's sushi. Inside the restaurant, which resembles an art gallery with its modern decor and numerous artworks, guests can enjoy sushi crafted from the highest quality ingredients. While the foundation is traditional nigiri, the menu also features original creations born from the chef's relentless curiosity and innovation.View on JapanEatinerary -
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WaketokuyamaAwarded One Star in 2025 - With a meticulous focus on allowing guests to enjoy seasonal ingredients at their peak, the menu changes approximately every two weeks. The signature dish, "Grilled Abalone with Seaweed Aroma," features thick slices of abalone generously coated in a rich liver sauce, offering an exquisite taste of the sea.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Fry-yaExquisite fried dishes crafted by a head chef with experience earning stars in both Switzerland and Japan. The remarkably light tonkatsu is a favorite not only among Japanese diners but also among visitors to Japan. With the theme of "small portions, many varieties," guests can enjoy sampling a wide selection of tonkatsu in smaller portions.View on JapanEatinerary -
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TEMPURA & WINE SHINOThe kind of restaurant that is known only to true gourmets, serving as a sort of "Hidden gem". In a chic space with black walls and a ceiling adorned in gold, you can enjoy tempura with a light and elegant texture, delicately fried using refined techniques to achieve a thin, white batter that minimizes the aroma of oil. Savor tempura that maximizes the flavors of the ingredients, paired with Champagne and Burgundy wines carefully selected by the sommelier.View on JapanEatinerary -
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HikarimonoWith a prime location and quality that rivals high-end sushi restaurants, this restaurant maintains the goal of being a place for everyday dining. It offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere, free from stiffness or formality. The signature "Hikari-maki," featuring ingredients such as sardines, pickled plum, and bettarazuke (sweet pickled radish), boasts unique flavors that are especially popular among international visitors.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Daikanyama Issai KassaiThe owner, Shinji Odahara, boasts a 30-year career in Japanese cuisine and has the remarkable achievement of opening a Japanese restaurant in New York that earned a star. Guests can enjoy exquisite charcoal-grilled meat dishes and rice cooked in a clay pot, all within a modern interior with dim lighting that sparks adult curiosity.View on JapanEatinerary -
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SudachiYou can enjoy dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients, transcending the traditional boundaries of Japanese cuisine. While rooted in the traditions of Japanese cooking, the menu features unique offerings such as dishes incorporating shark fin—rarely seen in Japanese cuisine—and sushi that reflects the chef's background in sushi restaurants. At the open kitchen counter, where the lively atmosphere comes alive, you can savor the culinary creations with all five senses.View on JapanEatinerary -
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TorinaoIn a relaxed and serene atmosphere, you can enjoy exquisite yakitori made with "Koshu Kenmidori" chicken, grilled to perfection over Kishu Binchotan charcoal for a delightful aroma. The tender and fluffy tsukune (chicken meatball) is particularly popular for its juicy flavor. Additionally, the carefully selected Japanese sake, chosen by the owner, pairs wonderfully with the yakitori.View on JapanEatinerary -
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IchiuChef Hamano is renowned for his experience training at three different two-star restaurants. In addition to sushi, he has honed his skills in Japanese cuisine at the esteemed Akasaka Kikunoi, giving him a strong foundation in traditional Japanese culinary techniques.When it comes to nigiri, he is meticulous not only about the toppings but also the rice. He uses a premium rice variety from Akita, enhanced with two types of red vinegar and plum vinegar to create a refreshing flavor.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Yakiniku OnukiThe restaurant is proud of its "Tare Yakiniku" (grilled meat with sauce), which is made from Japanese black beef that has inherited the "excellent sauce" from the main restaurant, and is so tender that it melts in your mouth. The beef tongue is also superb. The thickly cut beef tongue is very difficult to grill, so the waiter grills it and serves it to you. Enjoy a blissful moment with wine that pairs well with the meat.View on JapanEatinerary
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Experiences around Tokyo
Top rated in Tokyo
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Sushi Making Tokyo - Most Popular Sushi Making Class & Cooking Class in TokyoYou can learn how to make **Maki-Sushi (Roll-Sushi) & Temari-Sushi** or **Maki-Sushi (Roll-Sushi) & Nigiri Sushi**View on Klook -
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Crafting Your Own Unique Edo Kiriko Glass in Asakusa at SokichiExperience the time-honored traditional craft of Edo Kiriko, which has continued since the Edo period first-hand.View on Klook -
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Samurai Trial Cutting Experience of Japanese Swords in TokyoIaido, an ancient Japanese martial art, traces its origins back to the era of samurai warriorsView on Klook -
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Original Glass Making Experience in TokyoYou can make your own original work by digging the glass as if you were writing with a pen.View on Klook -
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Tokyo, Japan | One-day tour by chartered car*Tokyo has many sightseeing spots and experience activities, ranging from historical sites to futuristic locationsView on Klook -
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Tokyo Private Custom Highlight Tour with Licensed Guide (4/8h)Enjoy a day tour or a customizable half day tour with a private group in Tokyo!View on Klook -
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Tokyo City, Private Customized Day Trip with English-speaking DriverExplore Tokyo with an English-speaking chauffeur and immerse yourself in a city that seamlessly blends modernity with its rich traditional cultureView on Klook -
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Fancy Kimono Dress up and Photoshoot in TokyoMinina will give you a fabulous memorial of a Trip to Tokyo and change you whatever you want to beView on Klook -
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Kimono rental & photography experience in AsakusaTake the subway to Asakusa Station (Ginza Line) Exit 4 and walk for 20 seconds. It is 220 meters away from Sensoji Kaminarimon Gate. The location is perfect!View on Klook -
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Asakusa Kimono&Yukata Rental at Kimono Miyabi Asakusa in Main Branch**Klook Exclusive Free Next Day Return! Limited Time Only!** Show this message and return your Kimono the next day for FREE for rental during Sep 15 - Dec 15, 2023. Exclusions applied to Formal Kimono Furisode and Homongi. See What to Expect for more detailsView on Klook
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