Ikebukuro Station Guide: Navigation Tips, Exits, and Nearby Attractions

Ikebukuro Station: A Guide to Ticket Gates and Exits

Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's leading shopping and entertainment areas. This area is located north of Shinjuku and Shibuya. The main transportation hub is Ikebukuro Station, which is served by numerous transportation lines:

1. JR Lines: Saikyo Line, Kawagoe Line, Shonan Shinjuku Line, Yamanote Line
2. The Tobu Tojo Line
3. The Seibu Ikebukuro Line
4. Tokyo Metro lines: Marunouchi Line, Fukutoshin Line, Yurakucho Line

Many commercial facilities such as Sunshine City or the Lumine and Tobu department stores are directly connected to Ikebukuro Station.

This article offers information on Ikebukuro Station's exits and transfers so use it as a reference to explore the area.
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Ikebukuro Station Guide

1. Ikebukuro Station's Basic Layout
2. Features of the East Exit and West Exit
3. Inside the Station and Getting to Various Nearby Spots
- Spots Inside the Station
- Spots Connected to the Station and Nearby Spots
- Taxi Stands, Convenience Stores, Coin Lockers
4. How to Make Train Transfers (JR, Tobu, Seibu, Tokyo Metro)
- JR Lines
- Tobu Tojo Line
- Seibu Ikebukuro Line
- Tokyo Metro Subway Lines
5. Ticket Counters

Ikebukuro Station's Basic Layout

Exits and Entrances Are on the Station's East and West Side!

Inside Ikebukuro Station, JR Line tracks run north-south above ground, and the shopping/entertainment area stretches out to the east and west. Exits are largely divided into those in the direction of the East Exit and those facing the West Exit.

Important to remember is that the Seibu Line platform and Seibu Department Store are located towards the East Exit. Likewise, the Tobu Line platform and Tobu Department Store are located towards the West Exit.

Most Ticket Gates Are on B1F

Most of Ikebukuro Station's ticket gates are located on B1F (Basement Level-First Floor). After disembarking from the train onto the platform, you'll head down to B1F, where the ticket gate is. If you want to exit the station, you'll need to go up to the ground level 1F by stairs, escalator, or elevator.

However, there are also exceptions to the above. For example, you'll find the ticket gates for the Seibu Ikebukuro Line on 1F. There are ticket gates for Tokyo Metro Lines on 2F. Also, there are ticket gates for the Fukutoshin Line on B2F.

Check Your Location According to North-South-East-West on B1F

There are passageways connecting the exits on B1F.

- The following passages connect the East Exit with the West Exit: North Passage, Central Passage, and South Passage.

- The following passages connect the North Exit with the South Exit: Azalea Road (east side), Orange Road (west side).

Knowing which passageway you're currently on will help you get to your destination and determine which direction to take.

Also, many ticket gates have names indicating their direction, such as the East Ticket Gate, Central Ticket Gate, and so on. It's a good idea to be aware of which gate you're entering and exiting from.

Ikebukuro Station's Main Exits

Next, we'll introduce Ikebukuro Station's main exits.

East Exit (North)	East Exit (Central)
West Exit (South)	West Exit (Central)

As far as main exits are concerned, the East Exit has three locations, and the West Exit also has three locations. As long as you don't confuse east and west, you should reach the same destination smoothly regardless of where you depart from.

Inside the Station and Getting to the Nearby Spots

Ikebukuro has many shops where you can enjoy shopping and dining. We'll introduce the main shops near the station and the best way to get there (i.e., the closest exit).

Spots Inside the Station

Shopping
- Emio (Japanese) (Seibu Ikebukuro Line: B1 Ticket Gate - inside and outside)
- Echika (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line: Near the ticket gates)
- Equia (Japanese) (Tobu Tojo Line: Near the entrance to the North Ticket Gate)

Inside the station, there's an area with a cluster of shops, including cafes and stores selling miscellaneous goods. It's near the ticket gates and is handy when you want to do a little bit of shopping.

Meeting Spots
- Ikefukuro (North Passage East Exit area, near Exit 22)

This bronze statue of an owl (fukuro) is a famous meeting spot. It's located on B1F, along the North Passage's East Exit area.

Commercial Facilities Directly Connected to Ikebukuro Station

Shopping
Ikebukuro PARCO (East Exit-North)

This commercial complex is directly connected to the station and contains many fashion shops.

Ikebukuro Sunshine City (East Exit)

Sunshine City is about ten minutes on foot from Ikebukuro Station's East Exit. This is a large commercial complex where visitors can enjoy an aquarium and exhibition hall, as well as shopping and gourmet food.

Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store (East Exit)

This is a department store that's directly connected to the station. You can go directly into Seibu Department Store from the ticket gates next to the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.

Don Quijote Ikebukuro Station-East Exit location, LABI1 LIFE SELECT Ikebukuro (Yamada Denki) (Japanese), Bic Camera Ikebukuro Main Store (East Exit)

A shopping and entertainment district spreads out from Ikebukuro Station's East Exit. You'll spot a high volume of retail shops.

Tobu Department Store-Ikebukuro Location (West Exit)

This is a department store with direct access from the station.

Esola-Ikebukuro Location (West Exit)

This commercial facility has direct access from the station and contains various shops, including restaurants.

Lumine Ikebukuro (West Exit-South)

This is a commercial complex directly connected to the station with many fashion shops and restaurants.

animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store (East Exit-North)

This shop is just five minutes on foot from the East Exit (north) and has a large selection of anime (animation) and character goods.

Sightseeing Spots

Minami Ikebukuro Park (East Exit)

This park is situated near the station's East Exit (south). There's a large grassy area with cafes and restaurants right next to it.

Photo by Pixta

Convenient Services and Facilities Near Ikebukuro Station

Taxi Stands, Bus Stops

There are taxi stands and bus stops outside the East and West Exits. Each bus stop services a different route and destination, so please check beforehand. The bus going to Haneda Airport leaves from the bus stop near the station's West Exit 9.

Convenience Stores

Convenience stores inside the station include Lawson (in front of the Fukutoshin Line area), Tomoni (inside and outside the Seibu Line ticket gates), and New Days (beside JR North Ticket Gates and inside JR ticket gates).

There are also convenience stores outside the station, including Family Mart.

Lockers, Storage for Luggage and Personal Belongings

Inside the station, there are countless locker facilities near the East Exit—many lined up along the North, Central, and South Passages.

Visitors can also use the lockers inside Sunshine City, Lumine, Tobu Department Store, and in other places near the station. At Seibu Department Store (1F), they can also look after your luggage and personal belongings at their service counter.

Use the JR, Tobu, Seibu, and Tokyo Metro Lines Efficiently

JR Lines

The JR Ticket Gates are located on B1F (Basement Level-First Floor) in four different locations: Central Gate 1, Central Gate 2, North Gate, and South Gate. Situated in the center of the station, it takes about the same amount of time to reach both the East and West Gates.

The Metropolitan Gate is located a distance away on the second floor (West Gate area).

If you look for JR's green-colored signs and keep walking, you can get there without any problems.

Tobu Tojo Line

The ticket gates for the Tobu Tojo Line are on B1F in three separate locations: the North Gate, Central Gate 1, Central Gate 2.

Seibu Ikebukuro Line

The Seibu Ikebukuro Line Ticket Gates are located on 1F and B1F. They're located along the South Passage East Gate area on B1F. They sit slightly back from the main area, so it takes a bit of time to go to the West Gate or North Passage - about 5 to 8 minutes.

Tokyo Metro Subway Lines

Marunouchi Line

Ticket gates for the Marunouchi Line are on B1F in three different locations: the West Gate, Central Gate, and East Gate.

Yurakucho Line

The Yurakucho Subway Line Ticket Gates are located on B1F, along the South Passage at the West Gate and East Gate.

Fukutoshin Line

The ticket gates for the Fukutoshin Line are located a slight distance from the East Exit, so you'll need to walk for about 300 meters. The gates are especially far from the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. If you need to make a transfer, please allow yourself an extra ten minutes or more.

Ticket Counters and Ticket Machines

Close to all ticket gates are ticket dispensing machines. You can charge your IC card at any ticket machine, regardless of the train or subway line.

There are also JR Line reserved seating ticket machines (machines selling shinkansen and limited express train tickets) near the Central 2 Gate, South Gate, and North Gate.

Also, there are manned ticket windows (Midori no Madoguchi) as follows:

- JR Lines (JR Ticket Office): Near JR Central Gate 1

- Tobu Line (TOBU Tourist Info Center): Near Tobu Tojo Line Central Gate 1

- Seibu Line（SEIBU Tourist Info Center): Near Seibu Ikebukuro Line Ground-Level Gate

- Tokyo Metro (Tokyo Tourist Information): Near Central Passage-Yurakucho Line Gate

Enjoy Ikebukuro Station's Lively Atmosphere

Ikebukuro Station is a transportation hub for several different train and subway lines, with many shopping spots nearby. If you are mindful of your direction, you'll navigate the complex corridors of the station more easily.

While using this article as a handy reference, please enjoy your sightseeing and other activities in Ikebukuro to the fullest!