Saturday, January 10, 2009

Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro
basic information
Ikebukuro Station viewed from the Sunshine 60 observation deck

Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's multiple city centers, located in the northwestern corner of the Yamanote loop line. Ikebukuro offers plenty of entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities.

Handling more than a million passengers per day, Ikebukuro Station is surpassed only by Shinjuku Station as Japan's busiest railway station. Three subway and multiple urban and suburban train lines commence or pass through the large station complex.

Below are some of Ikebukuro's attractions:

Tobu Department Store
Located on top of the west exit of Ikebukuro Station, the Tobu Department Store is one of Tokyo's largest department stores. It belongs to the Tobu Group, which also operates several suburban railway lines, including the Tobu Tojo Line which terminates at Ikebukuro Station.
Open daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
Seibu Department Store
Located on top of the east exit of Ikebukuro Station, the Tobu Department Store is another of Tokyo's largest department stores. It belongs to the Seibu Group, which also operates several suburban railway lines, including the Seibu Ikebukuro Line which terminates at Ikebukuro Station.
Open daily from 10:00 to 21:00. Until 20:00 on weekends and public holidays.
Bic Camera Main Store
Bic Camera, one of Japan's leading discount electronics retailers, has its main store at the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station. Several more branch stores are located on both sides of the station.
Open daily from 10:00 to 22:00.
Sunshine City
Opened in 1978, Sunshine City is Tokyo's oldest city within the city with the 240 meter tall Sunshine 60 skyscraper at its center. The complex features an aquarium, observation deck, museum, the Sunshine Prince Hotel, a Namco theme park, offices, convention space and lots of shops and restaurants.
Open daily. Shopping sections are typically open from 10:00 and 20:00, restaurants 11:00 to 22:00.
Sunshine Namja Town
Sunshine Namja Town is an indoor theme park by Namco, the creator of Pacman and many other arcade games and leisure products. The theme park recreates Tokyo alleys of past decades and features among other attractions three food theme parks about gyoza, ice cream and chou cream.
Open daily 10:00 to 22:00. Admission: 300 Yen.
Sunshine 60 Observation Deck
This observation deck comes with an open air "sky deck" and is located on the top floor of the 240 meter tall Sunshine 60 skyscraper. Since the building's completion in 1978, observation decks have been opened in several more centrally located buildings in Tokyo, such as Roppongi Hills and the Tokyo Government Office.
Open daily 10:00 to 21:30. Admission: 620 Yen. A combination ticket for the observation deck and aquarium costs 2100 Yen.
Sunshine International Aquarium
The Sunshine International Aquarium exhibits creatures from seas, oceans and tropical forests around the world, including stingrays, sunfish, frogs, snakes, penguins, seals and otters. The aquarium is located on the 10th floor of the World Import Mart Building in the Sunshine City complex.
Open daily 10:00 to 18:00. Until 18:30 on weekends and public holidays. Admission: 1800 Yen. A combination ticket for the aquarium and observation deck costs 2100 Yen.
Amlux
Amlux is a Toyota showroom in the Sunshine City complex, where you can view and touch Toyota's newest car models and car accessories. You also find information about Toyota's formula one activities, environmental and safety technologies and future plans.
Open 11:00 to 19:00. Closed on Mondays (or Tuesday, if Monday is a public holiday). Admission is free.

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