After a quite week getting back into the swing of things, this weekend saw me get out to Ikebukuro, not once but twice, to visit the next stop on the 29 Stops of the JR Yamanote Line series.
Ikebukuro is 5 stops and a little over 10 minutes from my home base and the first time i’d set off in the other direction on the loop line. Ikebukuro is a major stop on the Yamanote Line with many other lines connecting at this station. This is the second businest Subway station in Japan, second only to Shinjuku station. Approximately 1 million people pass through it each day.
As for entertainment and excitement, Ikebukuro has plenty of both. At night it’s a haven for the young and anyone chasing a beer and a good time.
The eating and drinking options in Ikebukuro are endless and there’s more than one option to suit all preferences.
After a Saturday night look around Ikebukuro i decided i’d head back Sunday and see how different things were.
With the exception of a few pictures i managed to get back to most of the spots i’d visited the night before.
Access to the station from the street takes you down stairs where there’s several lines to choose from.
No matter what time of the day you’re in Ikebukuro, there’s an abundance of Taxis out front of the station.
Out and into it you don’t have to walk far to get to the action.
A little less populated Sunday mornings with most places still cleaning up from the night before.
Whether it’s a bar you’re looking for or food there’s plenty of both in Ikebukuro.
Midday was still a bit early for this place to get some lunch.
Pachinko parlours are always willing to take your money, night …..
Or Day.
Parking is the same here as it is anywhere in Japan … wherever you can.
Most people opted to ride home the night before.
The most annoying Ramen Shop in Japan with their loud speaker telling you how good their Ramen is, over and over and over again … In Japanese and English.
If you’re feeling a little weary, you can have a kipper in this メンズ リラクゼーシヨン クラブ ”Mens Relaxation Club”
There’s a selection of DVD’s to choose from if you can’t sleep … all with a common theme.
There’s not too many areas in Tokyo, especially the larger ones, where there’s not a Hub within close proximity.
Ikebukuro is no different.
The food options are everywhere and the signage makes them hard to miss.
Hotel Domani, another option if you’re a bit on the tired side, generally it’s expected you’ll have some compnay in this sort of venue though … you can pull up stumps for 3 hrs for $75.
These rooms have all the trimmings with regards to Multimedia if you’re having trouble getting some shut eye.
Every classy hotel has a water feature.
Mos Burger, only been there once since coming to Japan … a better alternative to McDonalds.
And open all hours of the day and night.
Feeling a little Dirty? Stop off at a “Soap Land” … NGF … so i’m told.
If you want somewhere more secure for your bike, there’s always the paid parking near the station.
Closes at 3 from memory but is chockers again the next day …. although, some of these bikes look familiar from the night before.
Lots of youths smoking outside restaurants …. either before or after dinner.
Not so many the next day.
Looks like the big open expanse is a meeting spot late at night.
And a popular spot to spend some time in the daylight hours.
Drinking seemed to be condoned in the streets and in this area specifically.
A constant stream of traffic coming in and out of Ikebukuro. Taxis were frequent at night …
And busses moreso during the day.
Every corner you take, there’s another small street with some activity on it.
If you’re dog is feeling a little cold there’s no shortage of outfits you can kit it out with.
Old mate was cleaning out the cages when i came past Sunday midday.
Karaoko is as popular in Ikebukuro as it is everywhere else in Japan.
Not open yet, but won’t be far away.
Game parlours are plentiful too.
Open day and night and populated heavily at all times.
The Colonel looks out for everyone in Ikebukuro. He provides sustenance late at night.
And breakfast the following morning.
Lets pile the rubbish up here.
You wouldn’t know it the next morning.
Ikebukuro is a great place to visit day or night and should be on any travellers list of places to visit.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Seems like a cool place, are there many young people going out for parties there? Are there many clubs there or is it just a nice place for grabbing a couple of beers? Also, is KFC a hit in Japan? ^^
There’s plenty of clubs and stuff there Sano, i’ve seen a few bands there a while back. KFC has it’s fair share of shops …. it’s not the same as the colonel makes back home though.
We stopped in Ikebukuro when i went there in December last year. Great place – tons to do and everywhere is open quite late. Cant beat a game of Taiko no tatsujin while drunk at 1am!
Didnt you see the alleyway with all the vending machines? Behind that orange-lit plaza building (with the bowling alleys, resturants and arcades) that faces Tokyu hands is an alleyway with bike parking and about 20+ vending machines all in a row – its the most ive ever seen! Well worth a look to see what rare treats they have. I love that tohatu chilli soup – cant find that in most vendys!
Didn’t see all the jihunki’s … will keep an eye out, maybe i’m blind to them these days there’s so many at every turn.
I’m impressed… yes, I think the trip is cool but I am not sure I have ever read a post that has as many photos as this one, all in one post, cool.
It’s easy to get carried away taking photos here i guess. I resize to make it easy on loading so i can afford to add a lot to each post.
We had Mo’s Burger in Bangkok. I didn’t know you actually had them in Japan. I thought the owner just set up shop in Bangkok. Regardless, they are delicious!!!! DELICIOUS!!!! Small portions but the burger and little sauce they have on them…mmmmmmmmmm.mmmmmmmmmm
It will be one of the first things I eat when I get back to Bangkok.
Great photos, gives you a good sense of the place. Thanks for sharing it!
Worth a visit out that way when you get to Japan Tyson.
Loved the pictures. My wife and I lived on the Seibu-Ikebukuro Sen and spent a lot of our free time in Ikebukuro. It was great to look through your pic and see all the places we remember. Can’t wait to see Shinjuku, where we worked.
My best mates in Japan live out Ikebukuro way, so I go out there most weekends. I thought I knew Ikebukuro pretty well, but you’ve shown me a few new sights. And, I was at the Ikebukuro Hub, outside the station’s east exit, last night. Not a huge Hub fan, but like the one in Ikebukuro.
And, you never said if there was any romance on Romance Street.
No Romance for me Billy …. was out there Solo and wasn’t up for looking either … maybe next time.
I enjoy viewing the pictures you take, Neil
More pics please!! 
-Mike
Glad Mike, i like taking them.
Oew, nice pictures! I’m going to Japan in August so this gives off a nice impression (:
I went to Ikebukuro last week and honestly, I found it incredibly…tacky. Quite a difference from the chic and stylish Tokyo of…everywhere else. Sunshine City is especially tacky. There’s this thing called “Gyoza Stadium” inside (along with Dessert Land and Ice Cream…World, I think) where they claim to have brought gyoza masters from all over Japan. Not terrible but horribly overpriced and disappointing.
It seems you’ve touched on all the different places you can get porn…but did you happen to come across the otome (girl otaku) road in Ikebukuro? Hahaha, let’s just say one look around made me not want to take any pictures…and go wash out my eyes.
Probably my least enjoyable day in Tokyo so far…although the beef nabe I had for lunch was quite good…even if it is too damned hot to be eating nabe.
Unfortunately ED the porn angle in Ikebukuro is a bit more photographical than some of the other attractions. I didn’t see the Otome road …. will be back out that way shortly no doubt so will look it up then.
I spend a lot of time in Ikebukuro. I like the tackiness of it, a lot more than, say, the weirdness of Akihabara.
LOL@the annoying ramen shop. There’s one down by Sunshine City that tells you how good and famous it is in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. Now *that’s* annoying.
I know that shop well, it’s pissed me off several times now …. i am reluctant to try the Ramen out or principle !
Thanks alot for all the pics. One of my Friends Kevin Cooney has lived in Ikebukuro for about 5 years now. Anything you want to know about the area and Tokyo he would probably know. http://www.youtube.com/tokyocooney or catch him the tokyo comedy club where he performs often.