Description for Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro is a commercial and entertainment district in Toshima, Tokyo, Japan. Toshima ward offices, Ikebukuro station, and several shops, restaurants, and enormous department stores are located within city limits.
One of the sub-centers. Before World War II, it was nothing more than a seedy entertainment district, but after the war, it developed into the second largest shopping area in the Yamanote area after Shinjuku and Shibuya. The Yamanote Line, Saikyo Line, Tobu Tojo Line, Seibu Ikebukuro Line, Marunouchi Subway Line, Yurakucho Line, etc. are concentrated here.
In 1978, Sunshine City was built on the site of the former Tokyo Detention Center, incorporating urban functions, including Japan’s tallest skyscraper at the time, 60 stories above ground and 240 meters high. The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space is located to the west of the station, and the area has developed into a commercial and cultural district.
Ikebukuro has many faces, including being a commercial district, an office district, and an educational district.
Commercial District
Ikebukuro is a bustling commercial district, with a variety of stores and restaurants, including large commercial facilities, large mass retailers, and street stores.
Ikebukuro Station is famous for having the Seibu Department Store at the east exit and the Tobu Department Store at the west exit, with the names of the gates and department stores reversed from east to west.
Each has its own specialty stores, and the bustle of the department store basement is particularly overwhelming.
Parco and Loft are also located outside the station, and many shoppers also visit electronics retailers such as Bic Camera.
A wide variety of ramen stores
Ikebukuro is home to restaurants of many different genres, but it is especially known as a fierce battleground for ramen.
There are several ramen battleground areas in Tokyo, but Ikebukuro is also home to long-established local restaurants with a long history, as well as popular Iekei ramen stores and restaurants with long lines of customers.
A town of the arts
The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, located at the west exit of Ikebukuro, hosts classical concerts and other performances, attracting music and theater fans and others.
The Ikebukuro area is also home to many movie theaters, small theaters, and small live music venues, making it a town where people can become familiar with the arts and music.
Educational District
Ikebukuro is also an educational district, with Rikkyo University with its beautiful chapel, prestigious private junior and senior high schools, various vocational schools, preparatory schools, and cram schools for higher education.
What is the origin of the name “Ikebukuro”?
When you visit Ikebukuro, you will see “owls” everywhere. It is said that this is because owls were abundant in the Ikebukuro area in the past. There are various theories as to the origin of the name “Ikebukuro,” but one that is more plausible than the owl is the existence of a pond called “Maruike,” which is located in the depressed area around Ikebukuro.
The area around Ikebukuro is a depression, which was a low marshy area with many ponds in it. Among them, “Maruike” near Ikebukuro Station was also called “Fukuro-ike” because it was shaped like a pouch, hence the name “Ikebukuro”.
