Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro is located in Tokyo’s Toyoshima Ward. Ikebukuro is the closest big station to Shinjuku Station. From the West Exit　of Ikebukuro Station there is the Metropolitan Hotel neighborhood. The reason why it was named Ikebukuro is because a long time the shape was like a fukuro, which means sack or bag, and it had an ike, which means pond.

Similar to Shinjuku, Ikebukuro Station’s center is a business district. This area is focused on Department stores, specialty shops, and restaurants. Ikebukuro lies close to Shibuya and Shinjuku forming a Tokyo sub-center.

If you came to Ikebukuro to shop it’s recommended that you take the east exit out of the station. In that area there is Seibu a Department Store, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Sunshine City, which is a shopping complex, and a Bic Camera.

Inside Sunshine City there is Sunshine City International Aquarium in this aquarium they have 4 sections. There is an Ocean Floor, Coral Reef Floor, a Nature Floor, and the last floor is a square where many events are held. Each section has a different characteristic and different things that can be viewed and experienced. The layout is very nicely done.

In the direction of Sunshine City along Sunshine Dori, there are many restaurants, movie theaters, and game entertainment centers for your enjoyment. There is also one of the biggest Japanese Bookstores, called Junkudo, in that area.

From the West Exit there is the Toubu Department Store, leading directly to a shopping area. There is also a Marui Department Store and the Metropolitan Plaza. Focusing on art and culture is Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space and Rikkyo University.

For those who like Gyoza, dumplings stuffed with minced pork and vegetables Gyoza Stadium is recommended. You can enjoy Gyoza in a Showa Era style restaurant. There are 3 access routes depending on how you come. If you take JR it’s an 8 min. walk from Ikebukuro Station, if you take Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line it’s a 3 min. walk from the East Exit, and if you take Toden-Arakawa Line it’s a 4 min. walk from the East Exit 4th block.

Ikebukuro Department Stores Loft PARCO Seibu Toubu Master Theatres in Ikebukuro Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space Sunshine Theater Theatre Green Ikebukuro Entertainment Facility

Movie Theatres in Ikebukuro Ikebukuro Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro Tokyu Ikebukuro HUMAX Cinema 4 Ikebukuro Sightseeing Spots Zoshigaya Cemetary Goddess of Childbirth Gokokuji St. Maria Cathedral

Access

JR：Yamanote Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line, Saikyo Line
Seibu: Seibu-Ikebukuro Line
Toubu-Ikebukuro: Tojo Main Line
Subway：Tokyo Metro Marunoichi Line
Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line