Ikebukuro, a vibrant entertainment district in northwestern Tokyo, offers an eclectic mix of attractions catering to various interests. At its heart lies Sunshine City, a commercial center with entertainment options for both couples and families with young children. Anime enthusiasts can’t afford to miss the area dubbed as Akihabara for women, featuring Otome (Maiden) Road, which is lined with anime shops and BL-themed cafes. For those interested in the unconventional, the location of the former Sugamo Prison and a memorial for the gallows can be found in a park in Ikebukuro. Discover the plethora of exciting activities and attractions this unique district has to offer below.
Ikebukuro News: What’s New in 2023?
- Animate Ikebukuro celebrated its 40th anniversary with a massive expansion, making it one of the largest anime shops in the world.
- Sunshine 60 is getting a rooftop green space with manicured lawns called “Tenbo Park”. It will open in April 2023.
Top Attractions in Ikebukuro
Sunshine Aquarium
Among the most popular places to observe marine life in Tokyo, Sunshine Aquarium is most known for its “flying penguins.” The rooftop features an overhanging tank where spectators can look up to see penguins enjoying the water. Seen from below, the penguins look as if they’re flying in the sky with high-rise buildings in the background. You can book advanced tickets here.
Sunshine Aquarium
Located in: World Import Mart Bldg
09:00 tp 21:00
Admission: ¥2,400 (adult), ¥1,200 (child) ¥700 (infant 4 and below)
Official Website
Konica Minolta Planetarium: Manten in Sunshine City
Dubbed a “healing planetarium,” Manten in Sunshine City has different shows playing at different hours, each with its own theme. Programs change regularly with some starring celebrity voices. Premium seating includes “grass” and “cloud” which add to the overall experience.
Konica Minolta Planetarium “Manten” in Sunshine City (コニカミノルタプラネタリウム満天)
Located in: World Import Mart Bldg
11:00 to 20:00
Admission: starts at ¥1,500 (adult), ¥900 (child)
Official Website
Sky Circus
This indoor theme park is located at the very top of Sunshine 60, an office complex. It has an observation deck that offers striking views of the city as well as several VR attractions that cater to all ages.
SKY CIRCUS (SKY CIRCUS サンシャイン60展望台)
Located in: Sunshine 60
10:00 to 21:00
Admission: ¥1,200 (adult), ¥900 (teen), ¥600 (child), ¥300 (infant)
Official Website
Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo
The first Pokemon Center to open in Japan, Mega Tokyo has all sorts of Pokemon merchandise. Its most recent addition is Pikachu Sweets, a cafe, which, as the name suggests, sells Pikachu-themed desserts. There are also dedicated spaces for Pokemon Go and Pokemon Card Game.
Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo (ポケモンセンターメガトウキョー ＆ ピカチュウスイーツ)
Located in: Sunshine City Alpa
10:00 to 20:00
Official Website
NAMJATOWN
An indoor park ideal for families with young children. It has a food court known for its wide selection of gyoza from different parts of Japan.
NAMJATOWN (ナンジャタウン)
Located in: World Import Mart Bldg
10:00 to 20:00
Admission: ¥800 (adult), ¥500 (child)
Official Website
Otome Road
The hub for female anime and manga enthusiasts, Otome Road is lined with shops selling anime, manga, and video game goods. Find your next favorite doujin, get cosplay supplies, or indulge in fantasies at themed cafes.
Ikebukuro no Mori
Take a breather at this cozy garden with seasonal blooms.
Ikebukuro no Mori (豊島区立 池袋の森)
09:00 to 16:00
Official Website
Rikkyo University
You don’t need to be a student to enter Rikkyo University, one of Tokyo’s prestigious private universities. With handsome buildings covered in greenery, Rikkyo University is picture-perfect. In December, the two tall cedar trees standing by the entrance turn into gigantic Christmas trees.
Rikkyo University (立教大学)
Official Website
Unusual Places in Ikebukuro
Sugamo Prison
Sugamo Prison was known for keeping high-profile war criminals, 59 of whom were later hanged. It operated until 1971, after which it was redeveloped and turned into Sunshine 60, a skyscraper with 60 floors and an observation deck at the top.
Execution Site (Former Sugamo Prison Gallows)
Not far from Sunshine 60 is East Ikebukuro Central Park, where the gallows for Sugamo Prison used to stand. Today, a stone memorial is erected in a quiet corner of the park, inscribed with the words, “Wishing for Eternal Peace.”
Sugamo Prison Mark (巣鴨プリズン跡)
Located in: East Ikebukuro Central Park
Open 24 hours
Ikebukuro Daibutsu
“Daibutsu” means “Great Buddha” and it usually refers to gigantic Buddhist statues in places with rich Buddhist history like Nara or Kamakura. Ikebukuro is certainly not the first thing to come to mind when looking for impressive Buddhist statues, but it has one tucked in a small, unassuming building. At 4.5 meters tall, the statue is made so that it appears to be floating on a cloud. It’s definitely a unique site in a neighborhood full of character cafes and anime shops.
Ikebukuro Daibutsu (池袋大仏)
Located in: Sengyoji
09:00 to 17:00
Official Website
Philatelic Museum
A stop away from Ikebukuro lies the Philatelic Museum where you can browse different types of stamps and envelopes from all over the world. There is also a library with books and magazines on philately.
Philatelic Museum (切手の博物館, きって の はくぶつかん, Kitte no Hakubutsukan)
10:30 tp 17:00, closed on Mondays
Admission: ¥200 (adult), ¥100 (child)
Official Website
Google Maps
Recommended Ikebukuro Cafes & Restaurants
Ikebukuro Seibu Rooftop
Ikebukuro Seibu’s rooftop area comes with a food court and a small, lovely garden that adds ambiance to your dining experience.
Ikebukuro Seibu Rooftop (食と緑の空中庭園)
10:00 to 20:00
Official Website
Cafe Racines
Located inside Minami Ikebukuro Park, Cafe Racines offers farm-to-table meals that you can eat inside the stylish cafe or enjoy on the manicured lawns of the park.
Cafe Racines (ラシーヌ ファーム トゥー パーク)
Located in: Minami Ikebukuro Park
Weekdays: 08:00 to 22:00
Weekends: 09:00 to 22:00
Official Website
Egg Tokyo
A must for egg lovers! Hailing from New York, Egg Tokyo opened its Tokyo branch in 2017 and has since been loved by locals for its all-day breakfast selections. Their most popular dish is eggs rothko.
Egg Tokyo (egg東京店)
Located in: Hareza Tower
10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, 10:00 to 19:00 on weekends
Official Website
Google Maps
Milky Way Cafe
Star-themed cafe known for their zodiac parfaits.They also serve sandwiches and waffles.
Milky Way Cafe (パフェテラス ミルキーウェイ)
Weekdays 11:30 to 21:00
Weekends 11:00 to 21:00
Official Website
Themed Cafes in Ikebukuro
Sanrio Cafe
The Sanrio Cafe in Ikebukuro offers a unique dining experience where you can enjoy your favorite treats in the shape of popular Sanrio characters. This means that you can indulge in delicious food while also admiring the cute and colorful designs of beloved characters like Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Cinnamoroll. It’s a fun and whimsical way to enjoy a meal or snack, especially for fans of Sanrio and kawaii culture.
Sanrio Cafe Ikebukuro Branch (サンリオカフェ池袋店)
Located in: alpa
10:00 to 21:00
Official Website
Kojo no Kuni no Arisu
Whimsical dishes and dramatic interior design come together in this Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant. Ideal for parties.
Kojo no Kuni no Arisu (古城の国のアリス)
16:00 to 18:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Swallowtail Butlers Cafe
Feeling fancy? Make your butler dreams come true with Swallowtail and be served like a queen by handsome butlers—the kind that appears in Japan’s popular imagination at least. Reservations are required, and sorry, no photos allowed.
SWALLOWTAIL Butlers Cafe (執事喫茶 スワロウテイル, Shitsuji Kissa Swallowtail)
10:30 to 18:40; 19 to 21:15
Official Website
Cafe801
A haven for fujoshi, Cafe801 is a manga cafe that boasts 18,000 BL titles. Prices are 500 yen an hour on weekdays and 600 yen on weekends, plus one drink of your choice. Not bad for all-you-can-read yaoi.
Cafe801
11:00 to 20:00, closed on Wednesdays & Thursdays
Official Website
Acasius Boarding School
This RPG-themed cafe is set in the cafeteria of a boarding school. Guests play a role and must complete tasks upon visiting, and like every RPG, guests level up based on the number of visits.
Acacius Boarding School (アカシウス寄宿舎学園, Akashiusu Kishukusha Gakuen )
16:00 to 20:00 on weekdays; 14:00 to 20:00 on weekends
Official Website
Detective Cafe Progress
If true crime is your cup of tea, you might want to check this cafe-at-day, bar-at-night where the bartenders are actual detectives. You can chat them up to ask about their crime fighting life, take mug shots as souvenirs, or even try your hand at fingerprinting.
Detective Cafe Progress (探偵カフェ プログレス, Tantei Kafe Puroguresu)
19:00 to 05:00 on weekdays; 11:30 to 17:00, 19:00 to 05:00 on weekends
Official Website
Jelly Jelly Cafe
This cafe has a huge library of board games which guests can freely use. Have fun playing with friends or join weekly events where you can play with strangers.
Jelly Jelly Cafe Ikebukuro
13:00 to 23:00
Official Website
Owlpark Ikebukuro
Meet, feed, and pet fluffy owls at one of Tokyo’s most popular owl cafes. The cafe is also home to a couple of iguanas and hedgehogs that visitors can interact with. The staff keeps constant watch to ensure the safety of both guests and animals.
Owlpark Ikebukuro (あうるぱーく フクロウカフェ池袋)
13:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, 11:00 to 18:00 on weekends
Official Website
Usabibi
Spend some time with adorable rabbits at this cute bunny cafe.
Usabibi (うさぎカフェうさびび, Usagi Cafe Usabibi)
13:00 to 20:00 on weekdays, 11:00 to 21:00 on weekends, closed on Wednesdays
Official Website
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ikebukuro known for?
Ikebukuro is known for anime shops, themed cafes, entertainment centers, and a Chinatown.
Is Ikebukuro safe?
Similar to Shinjuku and Shibuya, Ikebukuro is generally safe, but because it has many bars and izakaya, you will meet a lot of intoxicated people when you roam around at night. Perhaps you will spot a few couples making out. Someone might try to accost you. Other than minor inconveniences, however, you generally have nothing to worry about as long as you keep your own alcohol level manageable
How do I get to Ikebukuro?
Ikebukuro is easily accessible by train or subway. Among the most widely used train lines that stop in Ikebukuro are the JR Yamanote Line, the Tobu Tojo Line, the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, and the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line.
Is Ikebukuro a good place to live?
Ikebukuro can be a good place to live for those who enjoy the energy of a bustling city and easy access to shopping, entertainment, and transportation. However, it may not be ideal for those seeking a quiet or more residential neighborhood. Additionally, the cost of living in Ikebukuro can be high, and housing may be smaller and more expensive compared to other areas outside of Tokyo.
Is English widely spoken in Ikebukuro?
While English is not widely spoken in Ikebukuro, many signs and menus are available in English, and there are usually English-speaking staff at major tourist attractions.
Ikebukuro Access
How to Get to Ikebukuro
The following train lines stop at Ikebukuro Station:
- JR Yamanote Line
- JR Saikyo Line
- JR Shonan Shinjuku Line
- Seibu Ikebukuro Line
- Tobu Toju Line
- Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
- Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line
- Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
Getting Around with the Ikebus
The Ikebus is a convenient and affordable way to get around Ikebukuro. These buses operate on two routes throughout the neighborhood, making stops at major attractions like Sunshine City and Hareza. The cost of a single ride on the Ikebus is ¥200 yen, while a one-day pass is available for ¥500 yen, making it a cost-effective option for both tourists and residents alike. It’s eco-friendly and wheelchair accessible, too.
