Enjoy Ikebukuro for a Whole Day! Anime, Events, Sunshine City
Magazine
ReleaseAugust 7, 2019
Ikebukuro is a bustling place which is only eight minutes away by train from Shinjuku. Since Ikebukuro Station is a terminal station, many people go through this area for connection to other lines. However, Ikebukuro is also a fun place to stroll around. We will introduce you to lots of attractive and fun aspects of Ikebukuro, such as anime culture, events, entertainment, and delicious food!
Anime, Manga, and Cosplay…
Centering on Otome Road, the street located at the west side of Sunshine 60, specialty shops and variety stores selling anime-related goods and items can be found here and there.

Animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store
A specialty store for anime, comics, and character goods that is deployed nationwide such as anime-related character goods, comics, novels, games, CDs and DVDs.

There are original fairs held regularly and products with special benefits can be only obtained here.

Nearby “Animate Annex” has “animate cafe” which is a collaboration/concept cafe and “ACOS”, a cosplay shop.

https://www.animate.co.jp/
K-BOOKS

There are 14 branches of K-BOOKS, each of which is specialized by type, such as anime, cosplay, games, and entertainment, around Otome Road.


http://k-books.co.jp/
Events
Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2019

The Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival is one of the largest Halloween events in Japan where 100,000 cosplay fans gather around in Ikebukuro. You can enjoy the event safely and securely as the event is operated in an orderly fashion with a specified start/end time as well as providing a place for changing costumes. Additionally, you can buy a costume from a nearby cosplay shop and join the event impromptu!

Time: Oct. 26 (Sat) and 27 (Sun), 10:00-18:00 (Stage Event: opening from 11:00 and schedule to end by 17:00)
Venue: Ikebukuro East Exit Area
http://culturecity-toshima.com/event/1006/
Daidengaku Ikebukuro Emaki
“Dengaku,” a traditional performing art from 800 years ago has been revived and re-created today to be “Daidengaku.” Performers dance in costumes with five Japanese ancient colors dance with flower-decorated hats and musical instruments. There will be a performance in collaboration with cosplay culture.

Daidengaku Ikebukuro Emaki
Time: Nov. 10 (Sun)
Venue: Around Ikebukuro (Hareza Ikebukuro, Brillia Hall, etc.)
https://ikebukuroemaki.tumblr.com/
Sunshine City
Sunshine City is a large-scale commercial building with leisure facilities, such as Sunshine Aquarium, SKY CIRCUS Sunshine 60 Observatory, and planetarium, along with a shopping center and other facilities.
Flying Penguins at Sunshine Aquarium

Sunshine Aquarium has an exhibition in which about 40 penguins look like they are flying in the sky.


Since these penguins are often more active in the morning, it is recommended to visit the aquarium in the morning.

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You can also see various other creatures, such as ocean sunfish, rays, jellyfish, and frogs.

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Various kinds of performances are shown several times a day.



An observatory where you can play: SKY CIRCUS Sunshine 60 Observatory
This is an observatory on the 60th floor of the Sunshine 60 Building. To enjoy the view is one reason to come here, but there is another reason. It is to play!


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You can even feel wind, so you can feel as if you are flying in the air.


You might see someone else in the mirror! A popular photo-taking spot.

You can experience a surprising, endless world along with videos of the seasons in Japan.
There are five kinds of VR (virtual reality) attractions.


At the observatory, you can have fun even on a rainy day!
Now, Sunshine City has a new entertainment facility!
MAZARIA: immerse yourself into the world of anime and games

This VR entertainment facility just opened in July 2019. You can enjoy 19 kinds of VR attractions, such as Taiko no Tatsujin, Mario Kart, Gundam, and Zombie Survival Game.



*The information herein is as of August 2019.