I went to Ikebukuro this time. There are various places to enjoy in Ikebukuro such as the Sunshine City that includes various facilities, Ikebukuro Theatre that carries on the traditional arts, the Otome Road that various Anime and game shops are lined, and so on.

Started from East exit.

Ikebukuro East exit. Bic Camera main shop and Yamada Denki LABI that opened in 2007 are going through intense price competitions. It is said to be the best place to haggle the price of electronic products.

First I went to the super complex facility Sunshine City that includes Sunshine 60, Alpa, World Import Mart, Bunka Kaikan, and Prince Hotel.

It is crowded many customers even in the weekdays. It seems there are more people from the younger age group.
It is 60 floors and there is also an observatory.

I was hungry so I decided to eat Ramen in here because Ikebukuro is famous as a Ramen Battleground.

The Tsuke Men of Ramen Aoba which is inside Sunshine City. The soup made from seafood and pork tangles with the noodle and is very good. I recommend you change the taste after a while with the yuzu pepper.

Next is the themepark of memories, Namja Town, on the second floor of Sunshine City.

Namja Town. Attractions such as Gyouza museum and ice cream city which are food theme parks, and haunted mansions are inside.
Restaurants that make a row of customers hold shops inside the Gyouza museum.
Next, I headed to the Ancient Orient Museum which you can go walking inside Sunshine City. Documents and art works of the silk road is exhibited here.

A picture from inside the Ancient Orient Museum. Probably Alexander the Great.

Other than this, I did not go this day but, there are observatories on the 60th floor, planetarium, aquariums, and so on inside Sunshine City. The planetarium and the aquarium is closed for a renewal construction.

Next, I went to Toyota Auto Salon Amlux Tokyo which is a 2 minute walk from Sunshine City.

Prius was displayed so the visitors can see the inside. Other than this, replica of an engine was displayed. There were few cars which visitors can go on the driver’s seat.

Visitors can drive a car that adopted the latest system as if playing a game. Maneuvering was pretty difficult. The records and rankings were displayed.

Next I went to Otome Road that various anime and game shops are lined which is right by. It is said that many Fujoshi gather here.
(Fujoshi’s are girls that like Boy’s love)

The street was not that long but shops that sell photos of core idols (especially Prince of Tennis) and maid cafes were there.

Next I went back to the East exit of the station and went to Shin Bungei-za. 2 new and old movies are screened each day in Shin Bungei-za.

Works of Kurosawa Akira were also screened. The favorite actress of an old man I talked to right outside the place is Tanaka Kinuyo. Foreign movies are also screened.

Next I went around the west exit and headed to Ikebukuro theatre.

Ikebukuro Theatre. Can enjoy entertainment such as Rakugo, Manzai, and Kamikiri.
Rakugo was performed this day.

I passed a large park so had a little break.

Ikebukuro West gate park was the place where the TV drama “Ikebukuro West Gate Park” was filmed.
It is a park outside the west gate and office workers were taking a break this day. Used book sales are held regularly.

Headed to the National Traditional Crafts Center inside the Metropolitan Plaza Building.

Many traditional crafts such as crafts made of Japanese paper and ceramics were displayed.
It seemed like there were more wind bells and tea sets. Of course they are on sale.
I had some spare time so decided to head to Rikkyo University that has a campus in Ikebukuro.
It is located at a place 10 minutes by walk and the nature is rich along the way.

The campus is open and also beautiful. It is a season of fresh green so the ivy that was tangled around the school building was beautiful. The relaxed atmosphere really seemed like a Japanese private University.

Finally, I went to see the Ikefukurou which is said to be the best place to meet up in Ikebukuro.
　

Overall, after walking around Ikebukuro, it seemed like a city with everything.
I would go around noon, take a look at the electronics at the East gate, play around in Sunshine City, and wander around the city. There are many large buildings in Ikebukuro so I think you can enjoy just by walking around the city.
However, Namja Town seems like it is a little expensive so you should consider your pocket money.
Anyway, Ikebukuro was a city crowded and energetic with many young people.