Things to Do in Ikebukuro! 34 Recommended Spots!

Lecturer: Samurai Junjiro

Overview

• Ikebukuro is divided into east and west sides around the station.
• East side: Popular tourist shops.
• West side: Izakayas and other attractions for those who enjoy drinking.

West Side Highlights

Eishow

• Popular for grilled xiaolongbao: Crispy outside, chewy dough, savory meat juices.

Ikebukuro West Exit Park

• Renovated in 2019.
• Suggested to enjoy donuts from Mister Donut here.
• Mister Donut: Famous donut shop, recommended Pon de Ring with a chewy texture.

Katsuya

• Specializes in Katsu-don (616 yen).
• Tonkatsu types: Juicy Japanese-style broth-soaked and sauce-drenched.
• Curry rice topped with freshly fried tonkatsu.

East Side Highlights

Department Stores

SEIBU

• Rooftop (9th floor): Greenery, pond, shrine, 5 restaurants.
• 8th floor: Over 20 restaurants; popular Katsu-midori conveyor belt sushi.

PARCO

• Multiple shops for younger audiences.
• 5 Recommended Foods
  • MERCER bis: Caramel chiffon cakes.
  • RINGO: Apple pie with custard cream.
  • TRUFFLE mini: Salt bread with white truffle.
  • Hello! Donuts: Donut filled with milk cream.

Electronics Stores

• YAMADA-DENKI and Bic Camera: Comparable to Akihabara for electronics.
• LABI1 Yamada
  • 6th floor: Games, toys, claw machines, anime figures.

Free Wi-Fi

• JAPAN FREE Wi-Fi: Convenient but caution advised against malicious networks.
• Recommendation: Use NordVPN to protect personal information and access regionally restricted content.

Don Quijote

• Large store: Basement to 7th floor.
• Notable floors: 7th (branded items, suitcases), 6th (medicine, cosmetics, souvenirs).
• Exclusive KitKat flavor: Sakura and kinako.

Matsumoto Kiyoshi

• Affordable drugstore, offers tax-free services.

SWEETS PARADISE

• On 5th floor, sweets buffet starting at 1,490 yen for 1 hr 10 min.
• Includes over 30 desserts, udon, curry, and pasta.

Specialty Stores and Attractions

animate

• 5-min walk from station, reopened March 2023.
• 2 basement floors, 9 floors above ground.
• Largest anime merchandise store globally.

Minami-Ikebukuro Park

• 10-min walk from station. Lawn, benches, and tables for take-out food.
• Nearby: Châteraisé (sweets shop) recommended item: cream puff.

Sunshine 60 Street

• Busiest spot lined with shops, connects to Sunshine City.
• Round One Ikebukuro: Entertainment complex with arcade games, darts, billiards, bowling alley.

Sunshine City

• Large complex: 4 basement floors, 60 floors above ground.
• 13 Recommended Spots
  • SANRIO CAFE: Sweets featuring characters like Hello Kitty, KUROMI.
  • Mamemono-to-Taiyaki: Taiyaki with butter.
  • SESAME STREET MARKET: Official store, donuts.
  • Flower Miffy juice garden: Miffy tart.
  • Baker's DINER: German-style pancakes, roast beef bowl.
  • NAMJA TOWN: Indoor amusement park, admission 1,000 yen. Highlight Gyoza Stadium: 7 gyoza shops with various flavors.
  • BANDAI NAMCO Cross Store: Capsule toy specialty store, largest in Japan.
  • KIDDY LAND: Character merchandise.
  • MUGIWARA STORE: ONE PIECE merchandise.
  • Pikachu Sweets: Pokémon-themed sweets, most popular Pikachu waffle.
  • Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO: Large store for Pokémon merchandise.
  • Sunshine Aquarium: Rooftop aquarium, admission requires prior purchase on weekends. Popular jellyfish, penguins.
  • Sunshine 60 Observatory: 221m above ground, fun photo spots, artificial turf area.

Final Notes

• Ikebukuro offers many indoor attractions, suitable even on rainy days.
• Highlighted the balance of traditional and modern, attractions for different interests.
• Practical tips: Free Wi-Fi, tax-free shopping, using VPN for secure access.

That's it for today's lecture! See you in the next video!