Where is Ikebukuro

 

 

Ikebukuro main sightseeing sots

“One of the biggest shopping complexes in Japan”
Sunshine City

Sunshine city is the first commercial complex in Japan made in 1978. The center of sunshine city is the Sunshine 60, the biggest building in Ikebukuro area. Other surrounding buildings also considered as sunshine city. The city full of entertainments is waiting you here!

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“The biggest Pokémon store in Japan!”
Pokémon center Mega Tokyo

Pokémon center Mega Tokyo is located at 2nd floor of Sunshine City Alpa building. It is the biggest Pokémon store in Japan that offers various Pokémon goods. You can get Pokémon dolls, Pokemon themed food, stationaries, clothes and more. This is also a dream place for many Japanese…!

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“Where you can enjoy beautiful view and VR entertainments!”
Sunshine City Observatory Sky Circus

At this observatory, you can enjoy the view of 251 meters above sea level. Of course, you can see Mt Fuji and Tokyo’s buildings view if the weather allows. Moreover, what makes here fun is VR experiences! There are few attractions that you can enjoy like aerial swings. Many foreigners love to visit here for this hands in experience as well.

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“Why not a relaxing time at this high technological planetarium?”
Konica Minolta Planetarium

You can enjoy the Japan’s high technological planetarium of combining video, music, and aroma at this Konica Minolta Planetarium. Konica Minolta is a company that operates this planetarium and mainly makes planetarium equipments. Very famous and popular spot for Japanese! Here, English audio service is available so please ask the staffs for that. 

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“The interesting indoor theme park by the famous game company in Japan, bandai”
Namja Town

Namja town is a famous indoor theme park operated by a game company ‘bandai’. There are about 10 attractions and some temporal events collaborating with anime characters. Namja town is also famous for its gyoza (potstickers) stadium. About 9 gyoza stores are lined up so you can choose your favorite and enjoy gyoza!

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“New type of indoor theme park where you can interact with two dimensional world’s characters!”
MAZARIA

J-WORLD TOKYO (theme park for JUMP comics) was reborn to this MAZARIA in 2019 July. A totally new indoor theme park of anime and game! The concept is the world where you can have fun with anime or game characters. As the same as Namja town, the game company ‘bandai’ is operating and using their latest technologies here. You’ll find here a new futuristic theme park.

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“Small museum in sunshine city that exhibits history of ancient orient”
Ancient Orient Museum

You can take a look at the exhibitions of ancient civilizations here. Mainly those are about Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey but there are some studies of China and India too. What about a little study here while you’re in sunshine city?

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“Ikebukuro is the center of animation culture in Japan. You can find many anime shops here”
Anime Shops

Since 1983, when the first store of Animate was opened at this Ikebukuro, it can be said that Animate is the biggest animation store in Japan. You can find anything from comics, goods, figures to DVDs. It has main store and annex store in Ikebukuro. Many anime fans from all over the world visit here.

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Animate
Address：1-20-7 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0013
Official：https://www.animate.co.jp/shop/ikebukuro/

“Most famous variety store in Japan! You can get almost everything here”
Tokyu Hands

Tokyu hands can be said the most famous and biggest variety store in Japan. You can get almost everything from stationaries, beauty items to party goods. There are unique Japanese items such as hot spring’s bath salt. You may find the best souvenir at this store.

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“There are two department stores at Ikebukuro”
Department stores

There are two department stores at Ikebukuro. Both are connected to the station so it is very easy to access. Luxurious brand shops are mainly lined up and you’ll never get bored of shopping here. One of famous Japanese culture, Depachika,(food floor at department stores) is on the underground floor of department stores. Delicious foods are displayed and you can enjoy your own foodie tour! Don’t miss it!
There are no huge differences between Tobu and Seibu department stores. The floor space is larger than Seibu department store and it is said that elder people prefer Tobu to Seibu. Tobu department store is connected to LUMINE which is a shopping center for younger generations. UNIQLO (famous fast fashion store) and NITORI (famous furniture store) are also in Tobu. The restaurant area called SPICE has about 45 restaurants and those are very popular!
As Seibu department store is often referred to ‘fashoin’s Seibu’, many are fashion stores. It is also said that younger people prefer Seibu to Tobu. Seibu department store is connected to PARCO which is a shopping center for younger generations. Famous variety stores, LOFT and MUJI are also in this building.

“Famous building that is designated as the important cultural property in Ikebukuro”
Jiyu Gakuen Myonichikan

Jiyu Gakuen Myonichikan is an important cultural property designated by government. This building was built by the renowned American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright and his assistant, Arata Endo in 1921. It was originally the Jiyu Gakuen Girl’s School building until 1934 when the school moved to larger building. 

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“The biggest bookstore in Japan! Dream place for bookworms”
Junkudo Bookstore

Junkudo is the biggest bookstore in Japan. It has 10 stories and all of the floor have books! There are 28 legislators but there was still queue when I visited. It is a dream place for those who love books.

“Where you can have fun with various games! Popular among all generations in Japan”
Game centers

Very popular place to have fun. You can enjoy UFO catcher (claw crane), PURIKURA (high tech photo booth) and many other games! You won’t get bored here but be careful don’t use much money!

 

 

Summary