Tour Flow
(Hotel Departure 2:00 PM – Return to Hotel 6:15 PM )
After arriving, your guide will help orient you in the area, and you’ll receive suggestions on how to enjoy Ikebukuro based on your interests.
Ikebukuro is often compared to Akihabara, but the atmosphere is quite different.
While Akihabara is known for electronics, retro anime culture, and themed cafés, Ikebukuro feels more modern, stylish, and relaxed, with anime culture naturally blended into shopping, dining, and everyday city life. It is also especially popular among female fans and casual anime lovers.
Recommended Spots to Explore
Animate Ikebukuro
The world’s largest anime specialty store, offering manga, character goods, figures, and exclusive items. Even visitors who are not hardcore fans enjoy browsing its well-organized floors and seasonal displays.
Sunshine City
A large shopping and entertainment complex in Ikebukuro, this area also serves as one of Tokyo’s key hubs for anime and character culture. Inside, visitors can find several popular official character shops gathered in one easy-to-navigate indoor space, including Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, Pikachu Sweets, the ONE PIECE Mugiwara Store, Donguri Republic (the official Studio Ghibli shop), and the Rilakkuma Store. With many anime and character-related shops located in one indoor complex, it offers a relaxed and comfortable way to enjoy Japanese pop culture—quite different from the busier, electronics-focused atmosphere of Akihabara.
Otome Road
A street famous for anime and character shops catering especially to female fans. Even if you’re just strolling, it offers a unique look into a side of Japanese pop culture that feels very different from Akihabara.
Free Time & Return
After the overview, enjoy free time to explore on your own—shop, relax at a café, or revisit the spots that caught your interest. At the scheduled meeting time, regroup with your guide and return to the hotel together, ending the afternoon smoothly and stress-free.
