Tokyo Stroll Supplement: Toshima Ku

Stone lanterns at a temple

This page indexes, contains corrections, and has additions to Toshima Ku Tokyo. Related pages for specific neighborhoods/areas exist for: the Ikebukuro Station Area, the Tokiwasō Area, and the Zōshigaya Station Area

For information on Tokyo Stroll and this web supplement see Tokyo Stroll Supplement home page

For users of the Organic Maps, Maps.Me and Google Maps apps the items below have bookmarks you can import into those apps to make navigation easier.
Instructions and links are on the Viewing Locations in Organic Maps, Maps.Me, Google Maps, or Google Earth page.

Some entries on this page may include a note that says "Description to be added soon ." These entries are for items I felt should be listed even if the description is not ready to assist those who wish to plan a trip. When possible I included a link to an official web page, I suggest also doing web searchs for more information.

Official pages for each of the ku of Tokyo will have sections of interest to visitors. These will likely be labeled as dealing with culture, tourism, or events.
Toshima-ku official site: https://www.city.toshima.lg.jp

ACOS Ikebukuro (ACOS池袋)

ACOS is a major store for cosplay supplies where you can get costumes, wigs, shoes, makeup, colored contacts, props, even chest binders for women wanting to crossplay as male characters. They even allow customers to try on costumes.
LOCATION: On the second and third floors of the animate Annex building, formerly known as the animate Sunshine building.
WEB: https://www.acos.me/store/ikebukuro/

Akamaru Bakery (赤丸ベーカリー)

A local bakery that has been in operation by the same family since the 1920s. The custard filled cream bun and Akamaru Rusk are two of the most popular items, they also have pudding, curry-pan, a variety of sandwiches, and much more. A small seating area is to one side in the bakery.
CLOSED: Thursdays and 1st & 3rd Wednesdays.
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/akamarup

Ancient Orient Museum / Kodai Oriento Hakubutsukan (古代オリエント博物館)

Description to be added soon
NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Ikebukuro Station (JR East Yamanote Line, JR East Saikyō Line, JR East Shōnan–Shinjuku Line, Seibu Ikebukuro Line, Tōbu Tōjō Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line, Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line), Higashi-Ikebukuro Station (Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line)
WEB: https://aom-tokyo.com/english/

animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store (アニメイト池袋本店)

This shop is the main store for one of the largest anime/manga specially chains in the world. This particular store is the largest of its kind consisting of nine floors with various goods including books, art supplies, magazines, a wide variety of character goods, anime, CDs, game software, dōjinshi, and an event hall.
NOTE: On March 2023, the 40th anniversary of animate Ikebukuro, a larger remodeled store will open.
WEB: https://www.animate.co.jp/en/

BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT / ALICE and the PIRATES池袋店

Founded in 1988 BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT is perhaps the most famous worldwide chain focusing on Lolita fashions. It should come as no surprise that they have an Ikebukuro location. ALICE and the PIRATES is a fashion brand launched in 2004 inspired by a mashup of Alice in Wonderland and pirates aimed at a slightly older clientele.
LOCATION: Second floor of the P’PARCO building.
WEB: http://www.babyssb.co.jp/locations/ikebukuro/

Book Gallery Popotame (ブックギャラリーポポタム)

A small bookstore and art gallery with an international flavor. The bookstore part sells mainly new titles and has a selection of used volumes. The store's focus is on small press books and art books, both foreign and domestic. The gallery sells prints, original drawings and paintings, as well as 3 dimensional objects. Gallery exhibits change regularly.
ACCESS: A short walk from Mejiro Station or a slightly longer walk from Ikebukuro Station.
WEB: https://popotame.net/

BOOKOFF

Founded in 1990, BOOKOFF is a major international chain for used books, DVD. Blu-ray, CDs, and in its related shops HARD-OFF for electronics, Hobby-OFF for toys and games, etc. It is not unusual to see two OFF stores paired together or just selling a variety of goods along with books. You can find BOOKOFF stores all over Tokyo. This particular one is on the second and third floors of the Humax Pavilion and handles books, music, DVD, Blu-ray, games, anime goods, figures, models, etc.
WEB: https://www.bookoff.co.jp/shop/shop20422.html

Caramel Cube (キャラメルキューブ)
Caramel Cube Chocolat (キャラメルキューブショコラ)

In these two stores women, yes men need not apply, crafters can rent a small clear showcase on a monthly basis to sell their handcrafted items. The stores operate on a consignment system in which they rent the seller the case, handle the sales transactions, and keep a percentage of the sale. Each case and item has an identification code, the buyer fills out the information on a purchaser card, hands it to a staff member who retrieves the item, and handles the payment at the register. They even have gashapon machines that sellers can rent and sell their items that way. Rentals can be handled through the mail for sellers who live some distance away. Most of the items sold are fashion accessories, some of the sample items shown on their web site include jewelry, pins, plushies, and various character goods.
WEB: Caramel Cube https://www.caramelcube.com
WEB: Caramel Cube Chocolat: https://chocolat.caramelcube.com

Children Raising Jizō / Kosodate Jizō-son (子育地蔵尊)

This manifestation of Jizō is said to help raise children. Kosodate Jizō statues are found in many locations. This particular one is on a small plot of land and is estimated to be about 300 years old. It appears in Tokiwasō Monogatari by Tezuka Osamu.

Chitose Bridge (千登世橋)

Built in 1932 this bridge is a well known landmark that spans Meiji Dōri Avenue at the intersection with Mejiro Dōri, the Toden Arakawa Line also passes under the bridge. The steel bridge is painted green and has art deco lanterns at each end. There are metal railings on either side of the pedestrian walkways.

Comic Toranoana Ikebukuro (コミックとらのあな池袋店)

The Comic Toranoana Ikebukuro, in the Seiko Sunshine Building on the 6th and 7th floors, is the flagship store of the chain which originated in Akihabara in 1994. The chain is mainly known for selling dōjinshi. This particular shop has a strong focus on works for women and girls including anime, manga, dōjinshi, light novels, CDs, and other merchandise. The company also has stores in numerous other locations in Japan, but not as many as it used to the as a significant drop in sales during the COVID 19 pandemic resulted in most of their stores closing in 2021 and 2022. Toranoana continues to operate their ToraCon matchmaking and dating service and has been part of the production of several anime. The store name comes from a pro wrestler’s training hall in the Tiger Mask manga and translates as “Tiger Pit.”
NOTE: Some of the stock is adult oriented and segregated from the regular stock. Floors that are eighteen-plus are clearly designated as such.
WEB: https://www.toranoana.jp

Edogawa Rampo Memorial Center for Popular Culture Studies (江戸川乱歩大衆文化研究センター)

A research center established in 2006 dealing with the works of Edogawa Rampo, a major author of Japanese mystery stories. The center includes his home and his library in a separate traditional fireresistant storehouse. The work of the center focuses on Rampo and related material. The center holds lectures, publishes scholarly journals and promotes the study of popular culture.
WEB: https://www.rikkyo.ac.jp/research/institute/rampo/

Evangelion Store Tokyo-01

An entire shop devoted to the TV series and movies of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Clothing, coffee mugs, fashion accessories, DVD & Blu-ray, limited at store only items, etc.
LOCATION: Second floor of the P’PARCO building.
WEB: https://www.evastore2.jp

Futamata Police Box aka Minami-nagasaki kōban (目白警察署南長崎交番)

A rather ordinary kōban, located at the junction of Mejiro Dōri and Minaminagasaki Dōri. I include it here as it is a landmark to keep an eye out for as you navigate the neighborhood.

Gashapon Department Store Ikebukuro (ガシャポンのデパート池袋総)

The variety of gashapon, capsule toys, is so vast in Japan that if I started listing a few samples of what is available the toys probably would have been replaced with other designs by the time you read this. This store is the largest gashapon store in the world with over 3,000 machines according to the Guinness Book World Records in March 2021, their final count was 3,010 machines. Located on the third floor of Sunshine city and operated by BANDAI NAMCO, the store opened February 2021. This was actually the 17th such store the company opened and is now the flagship store for the chain. Machines are organized by theme to make shopping easier. They even have an app, Japanese only, for smartphones.
WEB: https://bandainamco-am.co.jp/others/capsule-toy-store/

HACOSTADIUM cosset

Cosplay photography studio. Description to be added soon
NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Ikebukuro Station (JR East Yamanote Line, JR East Saikyō Line, JR East Shōnan–Shinjuku Line, Seibu Ikebukuro Line, Tōbu Tōjō Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line, Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line), Higashi-Ikebukuro Station (Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line)
WEB: https://hacostadium.com/ikebukuro/

Ikebukuro Chinatown

North east of Ikebukuro station is an area with a large number of Chinese owned businesses. Description to be added soon
NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Ikebukuro Station (JR East Yamanote Line, JR East Saikyō Line, JR East Shōnan–Shinjuku Line, Seibu Ikebukuro Line, Tōbu Tōjō Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line, Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line), Higashi-Ikebukuro Station (Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line)

Ikōsan Hōmyōji (威光山法明寺)

Founded in 810 as a Shingon sect Buddhist temple. In 1312 it was converted to a Nichiren sect temple. There are unusual decorations on the temple’s bell such as an abacus and scales. The bell has been designated an important cultural property by the Tokyo government. The grounds have been a famous cherry viewing location along the path leading to the Sanmon since the Edo Period. The main hall burned down after the Great Kantō Earthquake in 1923 and rebuilt in 1932. The temple complex was destroyed in the firebombings of WWII, the present structures are a reconstruction built during the 1950s and 60s. The Zōshigaya Kishimojindō to the south in Zōshigaya is a branch temple of Ikōsan Hōmyōji.
ACCESS: The entrance is at the south. The temple is in walking distance of both Toden-Zōshigaya and Ikebukuro stations.
WEB: https://www.homyoji.or.jp

Iseya Shokuryōhinten (いせや食料品店)

Before there were convenience stores there were small shops like this one that sold a range of items households would commonly need. Iseya Shokuryōhinten has a selection with a focus on groceries, candy, toys, and freshly cooked food. Originally this was a simmered bean shop and it still sells a variety of such items. The store is in a very well maintained pre-war building.

K-BOOKS

A small chain specializing in new and second-hand goods with a focus on anime, manga, video games, popular music, and related items. Their stores in the Ikebukuro area specialize in goods for women and girls, each with a particular focus. In the company a majority of the staff are women with many managers also being women. The main store and numerous branches are located in Ikebukuro.
NOTE: October 13, 2022. Information on the K-BOOKS shops is in flux due to changes likely forced by the effect of the pandemic on sales. Some of the shops have closed, others relocated, some seem to be in flux. I obtained confirmation that the Japanese portion of their website was up to date and the following information is based on that. I have set up an appointment in my calendar to check back on this in one month.
WEB: http://www.k-books.co.jp

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Anime (K-BOOKS 池袋アニメ館)
A wide variety of anime related goods.
LOCATION: First floor 3-15-5 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Higashiikebukuro Mansion
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/anime

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Cast Pavilion (K-BOOKS 池袋キャスト館)
Devoted to works related to 2.5 dimensional actors, that is actors performing anime roles on stage, films, and TV. This includes DVD and Blu-ray discs, miscellaneous goods, photo books, etc.
LOCATION: Second floor, 1-15-10 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo No. 5 Ams Building
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/cast

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Character (K-BOOKS 池袋キャラ館)
Items related to shōnen and seinen magazines
LOCATION: Second floor, Koken Plaza, 3-2-4 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/chara

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Cinema-kan (K-BOOKS 池袋芸能館)
Items related to boy bands associated with Johnny & Associates
LOCATION: First floor, Tact TO Building, 1-28-1 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/cinema

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Cosplay Pavilion (K-BOOKS 池袋コスプレ館/池袋素材館)
Cosplay items, costumes, wigs, props.
LOCATION: Second floor, Tact TO Building, 1-28-1 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013
WEB: http://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/cospre

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Dōga-Kan (K-BOOKS 池袋動画館)
Items related to YouTubers, VTubers, professional gamers, commentators...
LOCATION: First floor, Tact TO Building, 1-28-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/douga

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Doujinkan (K-BOOKS 池袋同人館)
New and older dōjinshi titles, some 200,000 items stocked.
LOCATION: Second floor, 3-12-12 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Seiwa Building
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/doujin

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro GAME Pavilion (K-BOOKS 池袋GAME館)
A treasure house of game related items.
LOCATION: First floor, Koken Plaza, 3-2-4 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/game

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro K-POP Hall (K-BOOKS池袋K-POP館)
K-Pop items related to both male and female performers.
LOCATION: First floor, 1-28-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Tact TO Building
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/kpop

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Live Pavilion (K-BOOKS 池袋ライブ館)
Devoted to works related to 2 dimensional idols.
LOCATION: First floor, 3-15-14 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Claire Higashi-Ikebukuro
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/live

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Oshikatsukan (K-BOOKS 池袋推し活館)
LOCATION: Second floor, Tact TO Building, 1-28-1 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/sozai

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Otome-Kan (K-BOOKS 池袋乙女館)
Otome game and shōjo manga related books, BL works.
LOCATION: B1 floor 3-15-5 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Higashi-Ikebukuro
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/otome

K-BOOKS Ikebukuro Voice Pavilion (K-BOOKS 池袋キャスト館/池袋VOICE館)
Specializing in male voice actor related products, song CDs, drama CDs, live event DVD and Blu-ray discs, miscellaneous goods, photo books, etc.
LOCATION: Second floor, 1-15-10 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo No. 5 Ams Building
WEB: https://www.k-books.co.jp/shop/voice

Kamikawaguchiya (上川口屋)

An old fashioned cheap sweet shop called a dagashiya, these not often seen these days. Kamikawaguchiya was founded in 1781 and is located on the grounds of Zōshigaya Kishimojindō. Kamikawaguchiya is still operated by the same family and is the oldest dagashiya in Tokyo. The building was built in the late 19th century and survived the fires of the 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake and the fire bombings of WWII. This is a great place to stop by for candies old fashioned or modern. However be aware that the selection of wonderful unpackaged items made by the shop is large enough that you may find yourself having to ponder your decision for some time before making it. The sweet shop in the Studio Ghibli movie Only Yesterday is said to be modeled after Kamikawaguchiya.

Kanjoin (観静院)

Kanjoin is a Nichiren-shū temple established in the Keicho era (1596-1615).
PILGRIMAGE: This temple is also on the Zōshigaya Shichifukujin Meguri route, this time for Benten, also called Benzaiten. A statue of her is to the left as you enter the grounds. If you have the shikishi from Otori Jinja place the stamp at the bottom center.
WEB: https://temple.nichiren.or.jp/0021031-kanjoin/

Kiazuma Coffee (キアズマ珈琲)

On Kishimojin Omotesandō you will find a two story neighborhood coffee shop that uses the old sock-filtered technique to make a cup of coffee. They serve coffee from many parts of the world and will have a recommended "coffee of the day." Also on the menu are tea, and cake. Some English is spoken and they have an English menu. To find it look for a small red sign with the name in Japanese. It is also next door to the Zōshigaya Information Center. The doors are glazed sliding ones.
NOTE: Non-smoking, wheel chair accessible.
CLOSED: Wednesdays.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kiazuma/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kiazumacoffee/

Kishimojin Omotesandō (鬼子母神表参道)

Not far from Kishibojinmae Station on the Toden Arakawa Line, or Zōshigaya Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, is a narrow road, Kishimojin Omotesandō, approaching the Kishimojindō temple going straight north which is lined with keyaki (zelkova) trees some of which are hundreds of years old. the road is 100 meters (328 feet) long. The land the trees are on was donated to the Kishimojindō by Nagashima Takumi in the Tenshō Era (1573-1592). In 1940 the lane was declared a Natural Monument of Tokyo. The trees are cared for and replaced by the government and the Avenue of Zelkova Trees at Kishimojin Daimon Preservation Society.

Kongōin (金剛院)

A local temple which is about 500 years old, built to house a statue of Jizō by locals. In the Edo Period the grounds also housed a school, medical clinic, a court for disputes, and a playhouse. The temple gate is an unusual one in the yakuimon style, the gate is a designated cultural property of Toshima Ward. On the grounds you can find an unusual statue, the Manga Jizō (マンガ地蔵). this Jizō state incorporates several design elements related to manga. The aureole is in the shape of a G-pen nib, the robes are decorated with onomatopoetic words that one finds in manga, the shakujō staff of the statue is in the shape of a pen, and this Jizō faces the former location of Tokiwasō. Next to it you will find a statue of the famous manga character Doraemon.
The nearest station is Shiinamachi Station.
WEB: https://www.kongohin.or.jp

Lashinbang (らしんばん)

An international chain of shops selling new and second-hand anime/manga/game/tokusatsu related goods. All types of goods, figures, CDs DVD/Bluray/ costumes, posters, dōjinshi, etc. There are six stores in Ikebukuro, some in the same building.
WEB: https://www.lashinbang.com
FACEBOOK, ENGLISH PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/Lashinbang2/
TWITTER, ENGLISH: https://twitter.com/lashinbang2?lang=en

Lashinbang Ikebukuro Trend Store (らしんばん池袋本店トレンド館)
Ikebukuro's largest second hand anime shop. Trending anime related goods, games, character goods
LOCATION: Second floor, Ikebukuro White House Building, 1-20-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
WEB: https://www.lashinbang.com/store/117/

Lashinbang Ikebukuro Character Goods Store (らしんばん池袋本店キャラクターグッズ)
Two floors, figures, cosplay, BL manga, BL CDs.
LOCATION: First and second floors. 3-2-4 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Kyoei Building
WEB: https://www.lashinbang.com/store/5/

Lashinbang Ikebukuro Audio Cast Hall (らしんばん池袋本店オーディオ・キャスト館)
Items related to voice actors CD/DVD/Blu-ray, 2.5D stage/musical CD/DVD/Blu-ray, otome games, and BL games.
LOCATION: First floor, 3-2-3 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Daiichi Muda Building
WEB: https://www.lashinbang.com/store/6/

Lashinbang Ikebukuro Female Doujinkan 2F Purchase Reception (らしんばん池袋本店女性同人館2F 買取受付)
This branch is for people wanting to sell items to Lashinbang.
LOCATION: Second floor, 1-15-13 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Modern BLD.21
WEB: https://www.lashinbang.com/store/10/

Lashinbang Ikebukuro Female Doujinkan 4/5F (らしんばん池袋本店女性同人館4・5F)
The largest second hand shop for dōjinshi for women and girls. The fourth floor is for anime/manga/live action related titles, the fifth floor is for those based on games.
LOCATION: Fourth and fifth floors , 1-15-13 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Modern BLD.21
WEB: https://www.lashinbang.com/store/11/

Lashinbang Ikebukuro Female Doujinkan B1F Character Goods (らしんばん池袋本店女性同人館B1F キャラグッズ)
Figures, posters, Blu-rays, DVDs, accessories.
LOCATION: B1 floor, 1-15-13 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Modern BLD.21
WEB: https://www.lashinbang.com/store/8/

Le Bois Hiraki (ルボワ平喜)

Built in 1979 and designed by Von Jour Caux who worked with a group of craftspeople to create works in the Art Complex Movement style which includes heavy ornamentation in both the exterior and interior of buildings. The exterior is of shaped concrete giving the impression of organic shapes that remind one of vegetation or insects. The lobby of the building, be quiet and respectful of the tenants, is a wonder with tile mosaics, sculpted walls and lights held by arms protruding from the walls.

Mandarake LaLaLa (まんだらけラララ)

The Ikebukuro branch of the famous chain of second-hand shops for fans of anime, manga, movies, and video games. Given the location the shop is entirely devoted to women's manga, Boys Love manga, related dōjinshi, character goods, they also stock some cosplay items and dolls..
LOCATION: In the B1 level of the Lions Mansion Ikebukuro.
WEB: https://www.mandarake.co.jp/dir/bkr/index-en.html#googtrans(ja|en)

Matsuba (松葉)

This small chūka ryōri, Japanese style Chinese food, restaurant with its distinctive yellow awning appears in many manga. It was frequented by the residents of Tokiwasō who would often also have rāmen delivered to them. On the walls are autographs from some of the famous customers and later celebrities who visited the restaurant.

Melonbooks Ikebukuro

Said to be the largest selection of new and used dōjinshi in the Ikebukuro area. Not just manga but also dōjinshi music, video, games, and other items.
LOCATION: B1 floor.
CLOSED: New Year's Holiday
WEB: https://www.melonbooks.co.jp/shop/shop.php?wp_id=34

Mitakesan Seiryūin (清立院)

Originally this was a Shingon temple called Seiryūji Temple founded in the Kanki Era (1229-1232) the name was change to Seiryuin when the temple affiliated with the Nichiren sect around 1675. Behind the temple is an eleven headed kannon statue with nearby stone depicting the area in the Edo Period. The temple was considered a place to pray for relief from skin diseases and the Edo Meisho Zue notes that farmers would pray for rain here. One of the trees on the grounds is called the "Rain Prayer Pine."
PILGRIMAGE: This temple is on the Zōshigaya Shichifukujin Meguri route for Bishamonten. The statue of Bishamonten is a designated cultural property of Toshima Ward. Place your stamp on the center-left of the shikishi.
WEB: http://seiryuin.or.jp/en/

Namiki House (並木ハウス)

An eleven room two story apartment building built in 1953 just off of Kishimojin Omotesandō, access is via a walkway next to Kiazuma Coffee. The most famous tenant in this building was Tezuka Osamu who moved into an apartment in 1954 and lived there for three years. Another famous tenant who resided there around the same time when he was a student at Waseda University was architectural photographer Futagawa Yukio. Next to it is the Namiki House Annex which was built in 1932. Both buildings were restored in 2009 to maintain their look and to bring them more in line with the building codes. While much of the neighborhood was bombed in WWII the part that Namiki House is in did not burn preserving some of the older buildings in the area. One interesting detail is that the building owner had a model airplane factory before Namiki House was built. Namiki House and the Namiki House Annex were registered as a national tangible cultural property in 2018.
NOTE: Do not enter, this is an apartment building so respect the privacy of the occupants.
WEB: https://namikihouse.com/en/

NamJaTown (ナンジャタウン)

Niku no Ōkubo (肉の大久保)

A neighborhood butcher shop with a reputation for a variety of tasty take out foods. These include ham katsu and croquettes.

Otome Road (乙女ロード Otome Rōdo)

An area east of Ikebukuro Station near Sunshine City that is famous today for the density of shops for female fans of manga, anime, voice actor CDs, and games, especially works that fall into the Boys Love category. Fans of Boys Love are known as fujoshi, "rotten woman" a term the fans came up with, and have a male counterpart called fudanshi. Originally the shops, starting in the 1980s, were general in what they stocked, the focus to the present specialty seems to have been in 2000 when Animate and K-Books both reorganized their stock. The Otome Road shops include several anime/manga/game related shops, cosplay shops, cafes and even a butler cafe. The name means "Maiden Road" due to the clientele of the shops and came from the May 2004 issue of Puff magazine. While not as large as Akihabara the focus on works for women and girls makes this a unique area when compared to the broader, and more male oriented, variety of Akiba.

To find it from Ikebukuro Station head towards exit 35 on Green-odori, head south east a block and a half to a plaza with large trees, cut across the plaza and cross the next street to the entrance of Sunshine 60 Dōri street, at the Lotteria cafe, which will take you in the direction of the Sunshine 60 building, soon you will see the shops of Otome Road. If you get lost ask a shop keeper on how to get to Sunshine City. To find it from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line head north towards Sunshine City, the tallest building in the area. At Sunshine City take a left and walk to the first intersection where you turn right and soon see the shops.

It is not only shops that the area is known for there are also events such as the cosplay gatherings organized by Acosta! and the Sunshine Creation dōjinshi events which take place several times a year.

Pokemon Center MEGA TOKYO & Pikachu Sweets (ポケモンセンターメガトウキョー＆ピカチュウスイーツ_)

Pokemon Centers are found in many parts of Japan, the Ikebukuro one is located on the second floor of Sunshine City. This is one of the most famous with a variety of Pokemon goods sold. Some items can only be purchased at this store. Then there is Pikachu Sweets, a take away cafe where you can get lots of Pokemon themed confections and drinks.
NOTES:
The store can be crowded on weekends.
Some of the staff speak English.
WEB: Pokemon Center https://www.pokemon.co.jp/shop/
WEB: Pikachu Sweets https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/pikachu_sweets/

Seido Kishimojindō (清土鬼子母神堂)

Another Nichiren temple to Kishimojin, this small temple is at the location where the statue of Kishimojin enshrined at Zōshigaya Kishimojindō was excavated here in 1561. This temple also has an unusual triangular well where it is said the statue was purified.
PILGRIMAGE: This is also a Zōshigaya Shichifukujin Meguri site as there is a statue of Kisshōten, who is also called Kichijōten. She is sometimes listed as one of the seven lucky gods in place of either Jurōjin or Fukurokuju. The red stamp on your shikishi goes at the middle right.
NOTES:
The temple is in a residential area with the entrance to the south.
This temple is actually in northern Bunkyō-ku.

Sengyōji (仙行寺)

This Nichiren Buddhist temple was founded in the Edo Period. The temple was destroyed in the firebombings of WWII with only a stone statue remaining. The current building was designed by Harada Masahiro and was completed in 2018. It is very modern, a seven story structure with local trees and shrubs on each level making the building stand out as very green in relation to its neighbors. The ground floor has a massive statue of the Buddha that seem to more float than sit on the floor, other floors provide traditional functions with the top floor housing the prayer hall.
PILGRIMAGE: Sengyōji is also a Zōshigaya Shichifukujin Meguri site, a wooden statue of Hana no Fukurokuju, a female version of Fukurokuju is enshrined here to the right of the main hall. Here you can stamp the lower right-hand corner of the shikishi if you have one.
WEB: http://www.sengyoji.jp

Shiinamachi Station (椎名町駅)

This local station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line has items related to Tokiwasō in the form of an information board, murals, and a gallery.

Sunshine Aquarium / Sunshine Suizokukan (サンシャイン水族館)

Sunshine City サンシャインシティ

Sunshine City, a complex of buildings often referred to as Sunshine 60 after the number of stories the main tower has. While Sunshine City is known for many attractions it also includes the Prince Hotel, offices, two convenience stores, a post office, and a variety of shops. Some of the better known attractions include the Pokémon Center, Gashapon Department Store, Namco Namja Town, the "Manten" planetarium, the Sunshine Aquarium, the Ancient Orient Museum, and Sky Circus, a top floor observatory deck accessible for a fee. The building was completed in 1978 on the former location of Sugamo Prison where political dissidents were held under fascist rule. After WWII it was used to hold convicted war criminals and over 55 of them were hung here.
WEB: https://sunshinecity.jp

Swallowtail Butlers Café (執事喫茶スワロウテイル)

The first ever butler cafe, opened in 2005, where you are served by elegant men dressed as butlers. The fantasy setting is that this is the tea salon of a mansion where women guests gather. The menu changes every month, set meals are served, there are English menus however the staff may not speak English. Swallowtail is also open for dinner. The cafe is so popular that online reservations are required, you can make reservations from ten days in advance. Cosplayers not allowed, there is a gift shop
WEB: https://www.butlers-cafe.jp
ENGLISH RESERVATION INSTRUCTIONS: https://www.butlers-cafe.jp/swallowtail/company/reserve_en.html
WEB SWALLOWTAIL GIFT SHOP: https://www.butlers-cafe.jp/giftshop/

Swallowtail 池袋店

The local branch of the Osaka based wig company. While the focus is on wigs, both regular and for cosplay, they also stock other items such as boots, shoes, and elements for costumes for both genders.
WEB: https://swallowtail-wig.com

Toden'arakawa-sen / Toden Arakawa Line aka Tokyo Sakura Tram (都電荒川線東京さくらトラム)

The only streetcar line in the 23 ku area of Tokyo, the only other tram line, the Tokyu Setagaya Line, runs outside the 23 ku area. The line runs from Minowabashi Station in Arakawa-ku to Waseda Station in Shinjuku-ku. The Toden system opened in 1913 and this line survived the closure of the other lines between 1967 and 1972 due to trams slowing down the increasing road traffic that resulted from many families owning autos by then. A combination of opposition by residents to closing the line, the fact that very little of it runs on roadways, and that there were no good routes for buses to replace it enabled the line to continue operating. In 2017 the line was officially given the nickname of the Tokyo Sakura Tram. Riding the line gives you an interesting view of Tokyo with fellow passengers consisting of a cross section of the populace. The line is 12 km long with 30 stops, a full trip takes 56 minutes. You enter at the front and exit at the rear, it is possible to buy either a ticket for a single ride or a day pass. There are enough interesting sites along the route that getting a day pass and exploring what is near several stations is worth it. The trains are very regular, during rush hour every 3–6 minutes, otherwise every 6–7 minutes.
The Toden Arakawa Line Stations in Zōshigaya are Toden-Zōshigaya Station and Kishibojinmae Station.

Toshima City Office / Toshima Kuyakusho (豊島区役所)

Description to be added soon
NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Higashi-Ikebukuro Station (Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line)
WEB: https://www.city.toshima.lg.jp/

Used Books Ōraiza (古書往来座)

A neighborhood used bookshop. There is a special section for writers who are buried in Zōshigaya Cemetery.
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/OURAIZA

Tokiwasō Manga Station (トキワ荘マンガステーション)

A small exhibit space and reading room devoted to magazines, including reprints, and manga by the creators associated with Tokiwasō.

Tokiwasō memorial / Tokiwasō Atochi (トキワ荘跡地)

A monument installed in Minami-nagasaki Hanasaki Park in 2009. The monument is topped with a replica of Tokiwasō and has a series of plaques with caricatures and signatures of many of the manga artists who lived in that famous apartment building with Tezuka in the middle.

Toshima City Tokiwasō Manga Museum (トキワ荘マンガミュージアム)

This museum opened July 2020 in Minami-nagasaki Hanasaki Park. This is a very detailed reproduction of the original Tokiwasō building, down to the rust on some of the fixtures, and great effort was put into making the stairs creak like the old ones did. Some rooms have exhibits, the rooms occupied by Yamauchi Jōji, Mizuno Hideko and Yokota Tokuo have been reproduced to show what they looked like when the manga artists lived in them, some windows have panels made to give a view from the time the building stood, one has an old TV playing commercials from the 1950s and 60s. On the ground floor there is a lounge with books about the tenants, an exhibit area, and a ceiling panel that was removed before the demolition with a drawing on it by Osamu Tezuka of his character Sapphire and a self caricature.
NOTES:
Visitors must remove their shoes so wear clean socks with no holes, Bare feet are not allowed.
Reservations are encouraged as a limited number of people are allowed in at one time.
Closed Mondays, if Monday is a holiday it is closed on Tuesday.
WEB: https://tokiwasomm.jp

Toyoshimaku Tokiwasō-dōri oyasumidokoro (豊島区トキワ荘通りお休み処 )

A two story information center, exhibit space, reading room, and shop selling Tokiwasō area related goods that opened in 2013 in a former rice shop, the building itself dates from 1939 and also contains a replica of Terada Hirō's room in Tokiwasō.
Closed Mondays, if Monday is a holiday it is closed on Tuesday.
WEB: http://www.toshima-mirai.jp/tokiwaso/

Yellow Submarine Ikebukuro

Actually two stores are in this location, both focus on games.
The second floor shop is: Yellow Submarine Ikebukuro game shop (Yellow Submarine 池袋ゲームショップ) Trading card games, packs and individual cards sold.
The sixth floor shop is: Yellow Submarine RPG shop (Yellow Submarine 池袋RPGショップ) new and used RPG games, board games, simluation games, dice, related dōjinshi.
WEB: https://www.yellowsubmarine.co.jp

Yuzawaya (ユザワヤ)

This is the local branch of a chain of stores founded in 1955 in Kamata, Ōta ku devoted to providing material for many types of home art and crafting projects. Much of the store stock is related to sewing with everything from sewing machines to fabric to accessories available for purchase. This branch even has a large section focusing on cosplay materials.
LOCATION: 3rd floor of the WACCA Ikebukuro building.
WEB: https://www.yuzawaya.co.jp/shop/detail/268.html

Zōshigaya Information Center / Zōshigaya an'nai sho (雑司が谷案内処)

This center is on Kishimojin Omotesandō leading up to Zōshigaya Kishimojindō and next door to Kiazuma Coffee. Here is where you can find maps and tourist information. They also sell fancier shikishi for the Zōshigaya Shichifukujin Meguri.
The second floor has a gallery space for exhibits.
WEB: http://www.toshima-mirai.jp/zoshigaya/

Zōshigaya Kishimojindō (雑司ヶ谷鬼子母神堂)

A Nichiren sect Buddhist temple which houses a statue of Kishimojin who is associated with easy childbirth, protects children, and in Pure Land Buddhism is considered a generally protective Bodhisattvā. Presently this temple is a branch temple for the nearby Ikōsan Hōmyōji in Minami Ikebukuro. The origin tale of the temple tells of farmers finding a buried statue and building a hut to protect it. The current honden, main hall, was built in 1664 with funds donated by Princess Man the wife of Asano Mitsuakira the daimyō of Hiroshima-han which accounts of some Aki region architectural details. There were 58 carpenters who worked on the building and the chief carpenter was Tanaka Shōdayū Munetomo. The building with its attractive carvings and survived the bombings of WWII, in 1960 it was declared a Tangible Cultural Property of Tokyo and was later designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2016. The temple underwent extensive restoration from 1976 to 1979 to restore it to the look it had in the Edo Period. To the left of the hall is a huge ginkgo tree planted in the Ōei Era (1394-1427) by Sojo Nichiryu, In the Edo Period there was a belief that women who hugged the tree would have children. The tree was designated a National Natural Monument (second class) in 1930, this designation was canceled in 1956 and later that year the tree was designated as a Natural Monument of Tokyo. There is a stone monument in front of the tree with “Natural Monument, Ginkgo of Kishimojin” inscribed on it. The tree was also designated a Toshima City Important Trees for Landscape in 2017. The grounds also include an Inari shrine where Uka no mitama no mikoto is enshrined which predates Zōshigaya Kishibojindō.
The temple is known for selling susuki mimizuku, small owl figures made from susuki grass that originated here when a local girl started making and selling them to buy medicine for her mother. However if you are traveling from overseas and buy one be sure to have agricultural inspectors at customs inspect the owl when you return as it may harbor foreign pests.
PILGRIMAGE: This temple is also on the Zōshigaya Shichifukujin Meguri route as Daikoku is also enshrined at this temple. The description of where the ink pad and stamp for your shikishi is that I found states "a small hut on the right as you enter the temple grounds." However it does not say which entrance. I assume it is the one on the north east not far from the Kishimojin Omotesandō. The upper right-hand corner is where you stamp the shikishi. A Japanese tradition says that Daikokuten is the husband of Kishimojin.
EVENTS:
Temple fairs every month on the 8th, 18th, and 28th.
On October 16th - 18th the large Oeshiki to commemorate the death of Nichiren is held.
WEB: https://www.kishimojin.jp

Zōshigaya kyū Senkyōshikan / Zōshigaya Old Missionary Museum (雑司が谷旧宣教師館(旧マッケーレブ邸))

The western style home of John Moody McCaleb a Churches of Christ missionary from Tennessee who moved to Japan with his wife Della in 1892 and lived in the foreigner enclave in Tsukiji until he had this house built in 1907 in the Carpenter Gothic style. Here he established a school, founded a journal, and had a large vegetable garden to supply his kitchen. Some elderly locals have memories of time spent with him. McCaleb lived here until his return to the US in 1941 and the house eventually was purchased by Toshima-ku in 1982. It was declared a tangible cultural property by Toshima-ku in 1987 and again by the Tokyo government in 1999. In 1989 it opened to the public as a museum.
CLOSED: Mondays, Tuesday if Monday is a holiday, Sunday of the 3rd week and the Year-End and New Year.
ACCESS: South of Zōshigaya Cemetery the closest station is Toden-Zōshigaya Station on the Toden Arakawa Line so walking through the cemetery is the shortest route.
MUSEUM PAMPHLET: https://mitte-x-img.istsw.jp/kanko-toshima/file/Guide/en/ZMM_en.pdf
WEB: https://www.city.toshima.lg.jp/129/bunka/bunka/shiryokan/kyusenkyoshikan/004412.html

Zōshigaya Ōtori Jinja (雑司が谷大鳥神社)

This shrine dates from 1712 when it was set up to protect against pox and is considered the guardian shrine of Zōshigaya. Before the area was urbanized this shrine was popular with farmers who prayed here for good crops. Zōshigaya was famous for its eggplants and the shrine grows them in pots on the grounds. Something else you will see at the shrine is the motif of money bags on various decorations, even the donation box is shaped like one.
PILGRIMAGE: This shrine is the Zōshigaya Shichifukujin Meguri shrine for Ebisu and a good place to buy a shikishi for the pilgrimage. Ebisu is associated with commerce and the statue of him here has hin seated on a money bag. The stamp for the shikishi here is next to the temizuya where you purify yourself. Place the stamp on the upper left corner of the shikishi.
ACCESS: Close to, and between, Toden-Zōshigaya Station on the Toden Arakawa Line or Zōshigaya Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line.
FESTIVALS: Tori no Ichi in November.
WEB: https://shinto-shrine-ootorijinja.business.site/

Zōshigaya Reien / Zōshigaya Cemetery (雑司ケ谷霊園)

One of the largest and most famous cemeteries in the Tokyo area. Zōshigaya Cemetery was founded in 1874. Many famous persons are buried here including Koizumi Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn), Ogino Ginko (the first licensed women physician in Japan, her grave has a statue of her), Nakahama "John" Manjirō, Nagai Kafū, Hani Motoko (founder of the magazine Fujin no Tomo "The Women’s Friend"), Takehisa Yumeji, Izumi Kyōka, Tōjō Hideki, and Natsume Sōseki. Maps showing where the graves are is available at the office, also many of the more famous graves have a small green name plate with the person's name in Roman letters. The cemetery also has restrooms.
WEB: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/reien/park/index071.html#googtrans(en)

Zōshigaya Shichifukujin Hoteison (雑司が谷七福神布袋尊)

The Hotei statues here date from around 1917, yes statues in the plural as there is also a smaller one, the combination is sometime referred to as "parent and child Hotei." Originally the statues were in front of the Nakano Stone Company, the Nakano family was involved in several projects in the Tokyo area starting int he Edo Period. The larger Hotei statue was damaged in two of the air raids during WWII which is why the right arm had to be reconstructed. The present shrine dates from 1987 when the No. 6 and 7 Nakano buildings were completed.
PILGRIMAGE: This location is on the Zōshigaya Shichifukujin Meguri route. The stamp for this location goes in the lower left-hand corner of the shikishi.

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Created September 29, 2024 | Content last updated December 15, 2024