Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro (??), 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.

Related Topics:
Toshima - Tokyo - Japan - Ikebukuro station

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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.

Related Topics:
Japan Railways - Seibu Ikebukuro Line - Tojo Main Line - Ikebukuro Station - Subway - Shinjuku Station

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Around the station are the Seibu and T?bu department stores. East of the station, on the site of Sugamo Prison stands Sunshine 60, formerly Tokyo's tallest building when it was built. Marui and Mitsukoshi also have department stores in the area. The prinicpal electronics retailer in Ikebukuro is Bic Camera.

Related Topics:
Seibu - T?bu - Department store - Sugamo Prison - Sunshine 60 - Marui - Mitsukoshi - Bic Camera

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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 Taish? and Sh?wa periods, the relatively low land prices attracted artists and foreign workers, who lent a somewhat cosmopolitan atmosphere to Ikebukuro.

Related Topics:
Sugamo - Taish? - Sh?wa

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The kanji for Ikebukuro mean "Pond-sack" although the origin of this name is somewhat unclear.

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