Ikebukuro (池袋) a part of Toshima ward, is a large commercial and
entertainment district of Tokyo, Japan. It is the location of the Toshima ward
offices, Ikebukuro station and several extremely large department stores.
At the center of Ikebukuro is the station. The station is shared by Japan
Railways, the Seibu Ikebukuro Line and the Tojo Main Line. It is one of the main
commuter hubs in the Yamanote area of western Tokyo. Ikebukuro Station is the
busiest subway station in Japan and the second busiest railway station overall,
second only to Shinjuku Station. Approximately one million people pass through
the station each day.
Around the station are the Seibu and Tōbu department stores. East of the
station, on the site of Sugamo Prison, stands Sunshine 60, which was Tokyo's
tallest building at the time of its construction. Marui and Mitsukoshi also have
department stores in the area. The principal electronics retailer in Ikebukuro is
Bic Camera.
The old village of Ikebukuro stood to the northwest of the station. Most of the
area on which modern Ikebukuro is built was historically known as Sugamo. In the
Taishō and Shōwa periods, the relatively low land prices attracted artists and
foreign workers, who lent a somewhat cosmopolitan atmosphere to Ikebukuro..
Things not looking right? Site Best Viewed with FireFox
|