Ikebukuro池袋
Tokyo guide
From old downtown streets of temples and shopping lanes to districts of skyscrapers and neon, each area feels different. Trains and subways go everywhere; most main sights are about 30 minutes from Tokyo Station.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Senso-ji Temple and Kaminarimon Gate
Said to be Tokyo's oldest temple. From Kaminarimon Gate with its giant lantern, the Nakamise shopping lane leads to the main hall.
Many overseas visitors
In the 2023 survey, 47.4% of foreign visitors to Tokyo went to Asakusa (4th) Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, 2023 Survey of Foreign Visitors' Behavior
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- Shopping & strolling
about 60 minFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly
Subway · About 25 min from Tokyo ・ JR Yamanote Line to Kanda, change to the Ginza subway line for Asakusa, then about 5 minutes on foot ・ 7.9km from here
- 2
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
A crossing where crowds pour across from every side each time the lights change. The statue of the dog Hachiko stands by the station.
- Views
- Night views
- Shopping & strolling
about 30 minFree
Train · About 30 min from Tokyo ・ JR Yamanote Line to Shibuya ・ 7.8km from here
- 3
Meiji Jingu Shrine and Harajuku
A shrine deep in a forest. The entrance is right beside Harajuku Station, close to Takeshita Street and its youth fashion shops.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Nature
- Shopping & strolling
about 1.5 hrFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly
Train · About 40 min from Tokyo ・ JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku, then about 10 minutes on foot to the main hall ・ 6.0km from here
- 4
Shinjuku (Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatories)
The city hall's observatories, about 200 meters up among the skyscrapers, look out over Tokyo. At night, head for the neon of the east side.
- Views
- Night views
about 60 minFreeFine on a rainy day
Train · About 30 min from Tokyo ・ JR Chuo Line rapid to Shinjuku, then about 10 minutes on foot from the west exit ・ 4.8km from here
- 5
Ueno Park
A park with major museums and a zoo, famous for cherry blossoms in spring. The Ameyoko market street runs south of the station.
- Museums
- Nature
- With kids
about 2 hrFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly
Train · About 12 min from Tokyo ・ JR Yamanote Line to Ueno (Park Exit) ・ 5.9km from here
- 6
Imperial Palace (East Gardens, Nijubashi Bridge)
The site of Edo Castle. Stone walls and moats remain, and the East Gardens are open for walking. See Nijubashi Bridge from the plaza.
- History & buildings
- Nature
about 1.5 hrFree
Walk · About 15 min from Tokyo ・ From the Marunouchi North Exit to Otemon Gate ・ 6.5km from here
“Classics” and “Hidden gems” are our editors' picks, not a measured popularity ranking. Travel times are estimates. Please check prices, opening hours and operating days with the official sources before you go.
Photo and data credits
Night skyline of Tokyo with the illuminated Tokyo Tower David Kernan (CC BY 4.0) / Kaminarimon Gate of Senso-ji with its huge red lantern Kakidai (CC BY-SA 3.0) / Crowds crossing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing at dusk Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr) (CC BY-SA 2.0) / The main hall of Meiji Jingu beyond a wide gravel courtyard Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert (CC BY-SA 4.0) / The twin towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Eavesdropper6735 (CC BY 4.0) / Cherry trees in full bloom and lanterns in Ueno Park Syced (CC0) / The stone bridge to the Imperial Palace and Fushimi Turret Otto Domes (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped and resized.
Facilities & features
- Coin lockers and baggage storage
- Easy step-free access
- Large and easy to get lost in
- Typical transfer time: about 8 min
Lines from here
- Highway bus Ikebukuro – Niigata
- Seibu Limited Express Laview Chichibu (Ikebukuro – Tokorozawa – Hanno – Seibu-Chichibu)
- Yamanote Line
- Saikyo / Kawagoe Line (Osaki – Shinjuku – Ikebukuro – Omiya – Kawagoe)
- Shonan-Shinjuku Line (Omiya – Ikebukuro – Shinjuku – Shibuya – Yokohama – Kamakura – Zushi)
- Tobu Tojo Line Express (Ikebukuro – Wakoshi – Kawagoe)
- Seibu Ikebukuro Line (Ikebukuro – Nerima – Tokorozawa – Hanno)
- Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line (Ogikubo – Shinjuku – Tokyo – Ikebukuro)
- Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line (Wakoshi – Ikebukuro – Yurakucho – Toyosu – Shin-Kiba)
Within walking distance of this station
See nearby on a mapPlaces you can drop by on foot after leaving the station. Times are estimates.
- Go hereIkebukuro West Gate Park (GLOBAL RING)About 3 min on foot
An open-air theatre park under a giant ring. Fountains and lighting make it lovely after dark, and concerts are held here.
- Go hereJiyu Gakuen MyonichikanAbout 5 min on foot from Ikebukuro Station (Metropolitan Exit)
A school building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Tour the low, horizontal wings and the hall with its large geometric windows.
- Go hereMinami-Ikebukuro ParkAbout 6 min on foot
A park east of the station with a broad lawn and a café, an easy place to rest between shopping stops.
- Go hereNaka-Ikebukuro ParkAbout 7 min on foot
A small park serving as a hub for Ikebukuro's anime scene, with a café that runs anime collaborations.
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