Ikebukuro Walking Tour

The JR Ikebukuro station, like many major train stops along the JR Yamanote line, is a shopping mecca unto itself. To begin this tour, exit on the east side of the station.

You will walk up the main street called Sunshine City Street, or Sunshine City Doori, for 4-5 blocks to the first stop, Sunshine City Complex. Then you will retrace your steps for the rest of the tour.

You'll know when you've arrived at Sunshine City by the sheer size of the building. This is the best first stop on this route because it not only packs a punch in terms of shopping options, but it's a jolt for all of your senses. The tour will then wind down (a bit) from here as you head back west toward the station through some of the neighborhood's must-see spots.

As if Ikebukuro in general wasn't crammed tight enough with shopping options, there are even more to be found in this "city within a city," the Sunshine City shopping and entertainment complex, adjacent to the Sunshine 60 building.

This complex has a variety of restaurants serving Japanese food and Western food; there are many cafes for those looking for a coffee refresher. This is a good first stop to fuel up with food and beverages before the long day of shopping and sightseeing ahead. Be forewarned that there is not much information in English available, but many restaurants have plastic food on display in the windows to give foreign diners a hint. There really is no shame and pointing and using gestures to communicate; it's expected that foreigners will have a limited, if any, grasp of Japanese.

Sunshine City sits on land that was once occupied by Sugamo Prison, a political prison built in the 1920s that was taken over by Allied forces after WWII. Come here and expect a mall-like experience; wander as long or as little as you like.

Included within the complex is Namco Namja Town, an indoor theme park that was opened in 1996 by Namco, a maker of video games. While there's not much to do with video games here, it's a state-of-the-art entertainment center with carnival games, themed dining and a haunted house definitely NOT for small children. Or for the faint of heart in general. Seriously scary stuff. Within Namja Town you can find Ice Cream Town, which should help appease any tears (shed by children and adults alike).

Sunshine 60 is really just a skyscraper. Or is it? Go inside and find out that it's much more. This 60-floor skyscraper was the tallest building in Asia until 1985, when the 63 Building was built in Seoul, South Korea.

Sunshine 60 is a mixed-use building, but there's much for tourists to see and do. Go to the 60th-floor observation deck for a simply breathtaking view of Tokyo and its vast metropolitan expanse. And it's not just the view that you will enjoy, but the elevator ride to the top. This elevator is like a mini-disco. The lights go dark and a glow-in-the-dark show takes hold. Not to mention, it's SPEED! This is no doubt the fastest elevator ride you'll ever experience, and you'll go from the bottom all the way to the 60th floor at 600 meters per minute (22.4 mph).

There is no place like Tokyu Hands. The ultimate stop for quirky Japanese souvenirs, you might find yourself wandering with your mouth open at the sheer mass of interesting things to look at, not to mention buy.

Tokyu Hands got its start as a DIY store, hence the logo bearing two hands. Since then, it's grown into the ultimate lifestyle, hobby and home improvement store. Seriously, you can find just about anything here, and things you didn't even know you wanted. Stationery, foreign imports, health items (including witch hazel--about the only place in Japan I have ever seen witch hazel), games, party favors, children's toys--this really is only the beginning. Special "only in Japan" items include plastic sushi, mobile phone accessories (accessorizing your mobile phone is a hobby unto itself in Japan), Japan-based character goods and home items made by Japanese designers.

The Ikebukuro location of Tokyu Hands (which has branches all over Japan) is especially noteworthy because of the cat-petting zone, Nekobukuro, on the top floor. For more information, look at the next point of interest.
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1-28-10 Higashi-ikebukuro,
Toshima-ku, Tokyo
03-3980-6111

Nekobukuro is a true "I must be in Japan" moment. For a small admission fee (the first time I went, I barged in without paying by accident and the staff was too polite to stop me), you can enter this cat domain and spend quality time with, you guessed it, cats.

Since so many residents of Tokyo work long hours and can't take on the responsibility of a pet, Nekobukuro is there to fill in much-needed kitty time.

"Neko" means cat in Japanese, and "bukuro" is tacked as wordplay on the neighborhood, Ikebukuro. Located on the eighth floor of the Tokyu Hands Department Store, for 1000 yen (as of 2010) you can spend one hour admiring and petting (those willing) the resident cats. The house is built with many high, out-of-reach ramps for those cats who tire of human contact and need to escape.

Next to Nekobukuro you'll find a small pet shop selling adorable goods featuring cats.

Before your adventure in Ikebukuro ends, I'd recommend stopping in to grab a quick bite and experience "conveyer belt" or kaiten sushi dining. The sushi is served on plates that are placed on a moving conveyer belt in front of diners. Diners reach out and grab plates off the belt as they like. Each plate has a different set price, ranging from 99 yen and up. There is no English to be heard or read, but you can get by with little to no communication, since the food is literally moving right in front of you, waiting for you to grab. The sushi is cheap, fresh and delicious, and this is a great place for those looking to rub elbows with the locals. Be sure not to miss the salmon. For serious sushi lovers!
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1-22-5-1F Higashi-ikebukuro
03-5955-8800
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Hours
Daily 11am-11:30pm
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There is a Family Mart convenience store directly across from the restaurant if you need to stock up on snacks or beverages.