basic information

Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's multiple city centers, located in the northwestern corner of the Yamanote loop line. Ikebukuro offers plenty of entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities.

Handling more than a million passengers per day, Ikebukuro Station is surpassed only by Shinjuku Station as Japan's busiest railway station. Three subway and multiple urban and suburban train lines commence or pass through the large station complex.

Below are some of Ikebukuro's attractions:

	Tobu Department Store Located on top of the west exit of Ikebukuro Station, the Tobu Department Store is one of Tokyo's largest department stores. It belongs to the Tobu Group, which also operates several suburban railway lines, including the Tobu Tojo Line which terminates at Ikebukuro Station.
Open daily from 10:00 to 20:00.

	Seibu Department Store Located on top of the east exit of Ikebukuro Station, the Tobu Department Store is another of Tokyo's largest department stores. It belongs to the Seibu Group, which also operates several suburban railway lines, including the Seibu Ikebukuro Line which terminates at Ikebukuro Station.
Open daily from 10:00 to 21:00. Until 20:00 on weekends and public holidays.

	Bic Camera Main Store Bic Camera, one of Japan's leading discount electronics retailers, has its main store at the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station. Several more branch stores are located on both sides of the station.
Open daily from 10:00 to 22:00.

	Sunshine City Opened in 1978, Sunshine City is Tokyo's oldest city within the city with the 240 meter tall Sunshine 60 skyscraper at its center. The complex features an aquarium, observation deck, museum, the Sunshine Prince Hotel, a Namco theme park, offices, convention space and lots of shops and restaurants.
Open daily. Shopping sections are typically open from 10:00 and 20:00, restaurants 11:00 to 22:00.

	Sunshine Namja Town Sunshine Namja Town is an indoor theme park by Namco, the creator of Pacman and many other arcade games and leisure products. The theme park recreates Tokyo alleys of past decades and features among other attractions three food theme parks about gyoza, ice cream and chou cream.
Open daily 10:00 to 22:00. Admission: 300 Yen.

	Sunshine 60 Observation Deck This observation deck comes with an open air "sky deck" and is located on the top floor of the 240 meter tall Sunshine 60 skyscraper. Since the building's completion in 1978, observation decks have been opened in several more centrally located buildings in Tokyo, such as Roppongi Hills and the Tokyo Government Office.
Open daily 10:00 to 21:30. Admission: 620 Yen. A combination ticket for the observation deck and aquarium costs 2100 Yen.

	Sunshine International Aquarium The Sunshine International Aquarium exhibits creatures from seas, oceans and tropical forests around the world, including stingrays, sunfish, frogs, snakes, penguins, seals and otters. The aquarium is located on the 10th floor of the World Import Mart Building in the Sunshine City complex.
Open daily 10:00 to 18:00. Until 18:30 on weekends and public holidays. Admission: 1800 Yen. A combination ticket for the aquarium and observation deck costs 2100 Yen.

	Amlux Amlux is a Toyota showroom in the Sunshine City complex, where you can view and touch Toyota's newest car models and car accessories. You also find information about Toyota's formula one activities, environmental and safety technologies and future plans.
Open 11:00 to 19:00. Closed on Mondays (or Tuesday, if Monday is a public holiday). Admission is free.

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how to get there

Ikebukuro Station is a major station on the JR Yamanote Line.

It is also served by the JR Saikyo Line, JR Shonan Shinjuku Line, Tobu Tojo Line, Seibu Ikebukuro Line and the Marunouchi Subway Line, Yurakucho Subway Line and the Subway Line Number 13 (currently known as the "Yurakucho New Line", to be extended to Shibuya by 2007).

From Tokyo Station:
15 minutes and 190 Yen by Marunouchi Subway Line or 25 minutes and 190 Yen by JR Yamanote Line.

From Shinjuku Station:
8 minutes and 150 Yen by JR Yamanote, Saikyo or Shonan Shinjuku Line.

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10th of 46 most visited sights in Tokyo.
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hotels & ryokan

Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro Single rooms 6800 yen, doubles from 9000 yen, dormitory beds 3200 yen. 6 mins from Tokyofs second largest station Ikebukuro. Sakura Hostel Perfect for budget travelers and backpackers! Largest hostel in Tokyo. Friendly staff, cozy rooms, 24-hour internet lounge. Aizuya-inn Free internet, hot drinks, friendly foreign staff, and a warm welcome are what you will find at this Tokyo inn. Oak Hotel Budget hostel & hotel in the heart of Tokyo. Group booking, ISIC discount accepted. Retreat Hamamatsucho A very clean, modern hotel. 4 min from JR Hamamatsucho Station. Free small breakfast. LAN connection and satellite TV. Park Hotel Tokyo Found in Shiodome, Tokyo, a member of Design Hotels. Extraordinary service with stunning view of Tokyo Tower. Shiba Park Hotel International tourist friendly hotel in Hamamatsucho. Easy access to major districts such as Ginza, Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Temple. Serviced Apartments Azabu Court Affordable daily weekly monthly extended stay apartments conveniently located in Azabu Hiroo Roppongi district. Weekly Mansion Tokyo Akasaka Budget lodging in the heart of Tokyo - the perfect choice for your stay in Japan. Capsule Inn Akihabara The only capsule hotel in Akihabara. 4000 yen per night. Hotel Villa Fontaine Stylish and reasonable hotels in 14 prime locations in the heart of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area and Osaka.

tours and packages

Tokyo Tours Various English tours of Tokyo and surroundings. Atlas Japan Tour Customized tours emphasizing cultural experiences and communication to find real Japan. Education and exchange program available.

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