Paradise for Anime and Manga Fans: What to Do in Ikebukuro

If you’re a fan of manga or anime, Ikebukuro is a must-visit during your next trip to Tokyo. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot the ikefukuro, an iconic owl statue that welcomes visitors at the station. 

Hailed as “Otaku’s Paradise,” Ikebukuro has it all: Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo, Swallowtail Butler Cafe, and countless shops where you can buy all the latest anime merch (or keep an eye out for pre-owned bargains). 

With so many things to do, we’ve compiled a helpful list of the best things to do in Ikebukuro. 

If you can’t decide which Tokyo neighborhood to eat in, take the guesswork out with this multi-neighborhood Tokyo food tour. Start off in the entertainment hub of Ikebukuro before making your way off the beaten path to Akabane and Jujo.

Our charming British guide is ready to take you to a depachika (food basement), a tachinomiya (standing bar) and an izakaya (Japanese pub), for a delicious sampling of snacks, gyoza, sake and more. 

For a hands-on food experience, why not try a ramen and gyoza cooking class in Ikebukuro? Taught by a professional chef, you’ll make miso ramen noodles and izakaya-style gyoza dumplings with some insider tips to help you. 

And if you’re worried about the language barrier more than your gyoza wrapper folding skills, have no fear — our English-speaking guide will assist in creating a relaxed conversation between you and Chef Odaira. 

Learn how to make a few classic Japanese dishes alongside a professional chef in this Ikebukuro sushi-making class! 

With communication facilitated via a translator, seasoned chef Odaira will teach you how to make three types of sushi, including nigiri, gunkan maki and maki rolls. Once you’ve finished rolling your sushi, you’ll make matcha to enjoy with some wagashi sweets. 

This is a great course for those who are new to Japan as Odaira will guide you through the dining etiquette in Japan, ensuring that you don’t make any blunders when eating at your first restaurant in Japan.

If you’re traveling with family or a large group, this Ikebukuro adventure tour is the perfect thing for travelers of all ages. 

Visit five different food spots, including a food-themed park, a game center and more. The tour duration is four hours, but moves quickly as you’ll spend about 30 minutes at each stop. 

On a family trip? This experience is free for kids! Simply write the number of kids attending upon booking and arrive with an empty stomach.

Located in eastern Ikebukuro is Sunshine City, a large shopping mall that includes an observatory, aquarium, an indoor amusement park, a planetarium, dozens of shops and so much more. 

With so many things to do, you can easily spend the entire day here, especially if you need an escape from Japan’s oppressive summer heat or downpours of the tsuyu rainy season. 

Be sure to also check out any events they might have going on at Sunshine City’s official website (simply turn on Google Translate for English or other languages).

Ikebukuro isn’t seen as a haven for manga and anime fans for no reason. There are countless shops where you can buy anime goods, including Animate with its eight floors full of manga and anime goods.

Mandarake sells old manga and collector’s items for certain anime or video games, while Otome Road is known for indie manga, shoujo content (media intended for girls and women) and cosplay costumes.

Whichever store you end up going to, you’ll be sure to come across some great finds and easily lose hours to exploring every eye-catching thing on the shelves.

If you’ve ever wondered what the 1960s were like in Japan, look no further than the Tokiwaso-dori Showa Retro Museum. Transformed from the former Miraku Department Store building, the museum displays a post-war reconstruction of Tokyo and Ikebukuro as they were during the Showa Era.

Enjoy the many dioramas of the old shopping streets and models of typical rooms in a 1960s house, including the emerging technology of the era, such as electric rice cookers. 

Maid cafes may get a lot more hype, but butler cafes are an awesome experience for those who want to eat in a luxurious setting and be served by handsome men. 

One such place you can do so is Swallowtail Butler Cafe, where customers are encouraged to think of the mansion venue as their own home. You’ll be greeted with “Welcome home, my lady” upon entrance, signaling your immersion into this unique dining experience. 

Please note that Swallowtail Butler Cafe does not allow photography inside the premises, but you can view a sneak peek from when byFood host Shizuka Anderson went to visit!

Located five minutes away from Ikebukuro by train are the laidback neighborhoods of Sugamo and Otsuka.

Although there’s plenty to get up to in the trolley-run retro city, we recommend Otsuka Kinen-yu, a public bathhouse with a sauna that happens to be tattoo-friendly. 

Calling all Hello Kitty fans for one of the most kawaii dining experiences in Ikebukuro. Sanrio Cafe’s menu offers a number of Hello Kitty and other Sanrio character-themed dishes, including souffle pancakes, pork buns, burgers, lattes and cream sodas. 

Once you’re done eating, you can also pick up some Sanrio merchandise at the shop in front. To try one of its adorable dishes, be sure to add Sanrio Cafe to your Tokyo itinerary today.

For an upscale nightlife experience, step into Music Cafe Bar One’s, a cocktail bar where you can enjoy a soundtrack of house and techno music. 

The staff speaks English, creating a welcoming atmosphere for travelers and locals alike. 

Looking for more cocktail bars in Tokyo? Discover the best cocktail bars in Tokyo.

A serene escape from the city center, Mejiro Garden boasts pristine grounds complete with several walking paths and a teahouse where you can quench your thirst. 

There is no entry fee, so you can enjoy this nature spot for free on your trip to Ikebukuro.

We hope this article gave you a few ideas to add to your Ikebukuro itinerary. No matter whether you’re a fan of Demon Slayer or Nana, this neighborhood is sure to be a favorite on your trip to Tokyo. 

To keep the Ikebukuro and otaku paradise atmosphere going a little longer, check out where to eat in Ikebukuro, anime-related food or Studio Ghibli-themed food.

Ikebukuro is a Tokyo district known as an "otaku paradise," meaning it is filled with all kinds of activities and shops for anime, manga and game lovers. It has the Animate flagship store, a gigantic Pokemon Center, manga museums and so much more.

Ikebukuro is in northwest Tokyo, a 30-minute train from Tokyo Station. It falls within Toshima City.

You can go shopping at Sunshine City, sealife spotting at Sunshine Aquarium, Pokemon catching at Pokemon Center and merch-hunting at anime and manga stores like Animate. There's something for everyone, but you're going to have a really good time if you consider yourself an anime or manga nerd.