Ikebukuro - how to get there and best things to do

A funky, high-energy northern Tokyo neighborhood built to entertain

Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's most dynamic and down-to-earth neighborhoods, full of fashion retailers, gourmet cuisine as well as down-home cooking, and several entertainment complexes. Ikebukuro Station is one of the city's busiest transportation hubs, flanked by two huge department stores, Tobu and Seibu. Not far away is the area's most striking landmark, Sunshine City—a large urban theme park with an aquarium, observation deck, restaurants and hotels. Ikebukuro is home to plenty of art and culture, both traditional and contemporary. If you're looking for fun, food and all-hours energy, this is the place to be.

How to Get There

Ikebukuro Station is on the JR Shonan Shinjuku, Yamanote, and Saikyo Lines, the private Tobu Tojo and Seibu-Ikebukuro Lines, and Tokyo Metro's Marunouchi, Yurakucho and Fukutoshin Lines.

From Haneda Airport: One hour ten minutes by Limousine Bus, or one hour by train to Ikebukuro Station.
From Narita Airport: Two hours twenty-five minutes by Limousine Bus, or 90 minutes by train to Ikebukuro Station.
From Shinjuku Station: Eight minutes on the JR Yamanote Line to Ikebukuro Station.
From Tokyo Station: 24 minutes on the JR Yamanote Line to Ikebukuro Station, or 17 minutes on Tokyo Metro's Marunouchi Line to Ikebukuro Station.

The leader of the pack—Ikebukuro's landmark complex

Take a trip to Sunshine City to experience the latest in modern entertainment. Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou-Park, on the 60th floor of the Sunshine 60 building, offers a similar sense of openness as a regular park, but is 251 meters above sea level and has a 360-degree view. At Sunshine Aquarium on the rooftop of the neighboring World Import Mart Building, sit below chutes of gliding penguins and sea lions, or alternatively, lie back and roam through the stars at Konica Minolta Planetarium Manten (Ikebukuro). Whether you're here with kids or not, head to NAMJATOWN for five lively indoor “towns” filled with food and entertainment options.

Your subculture alternative to Akihabara

Ikebukuro now rivals Akihabara for its dedication to Japanese subcultures, so if you're a fan of any of the genres, schedule a trip to Otome Road—dedicated to girls' comics and video games—and the Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO & Pikachu Sweets or the Evangelion Store. Animate's flagship store Animate Ikebukuro Honten, specializing in anime, manga, and video games, can be found close to Ikebukuro Station’s east exit.

Ikebukuro is home to many large cinema complexes, including Grand Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro, which has the largest seating capacity in Tokyo, the largest screen in Japan, and one of the few immersive experiential theaters in Japan, as well as TOHO Cinemas Ikebukuro and Ikebukuro HUMAX Cinemas.

©Pokémon.
©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.

See it live in Ikebukuro—theater, dance and music both contemporary and traditional

Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park, located in front of the west exit of Ikebukuro Station, is a great place to watch performances or just relax and enjoy yourself. The adjacent open-air Global Ring Theater hosts live music and festivals at various times. The nearby Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre offers a range of interesting concerts, plays, and dance performances. Ikebukuro Engeijyo is home to more traditional forms of Japanese entertainment. Rosa Kaikan and Shin-Bungeiza screen a wide selection of classic and independent films both Japanese and Western. If architecture is your thing, head to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Jiyugakuen Myonichikan—the House of Tomorrow. If you know someone who's expecting, pay your respects at Zoshigaya Kishimojindo Temple—home of the goddess of safe birth and childrearing.