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How to Make the Best of 3 Hours in Tokyo
It is the last day of your trip and you have three hours left before departing for the airport. Don’t know what to do with the time? WAttention did the homework for you. Here is a three-hour itinerary that will leave you entertained, refreshed and with lots of memories of Japan!
IKEBUKURO 池袋
With over 2.5 million visitors per day, Ikebukuro Station is one of the busiest transportation hubs in Tokyo. Thanks to all the people passing through, Ikebukuro is as lively and bustling as Shinjuku and Shibuya. Expect to encounter a mosaic of traditional Japanese culture, history, fashion and subculture in this place. The best way to learn about this vibrant location is to pay it a visit and see it for yourself.
South Ikebukuro Park 南池袋公園 / Racines FARM to PARK
A seven minute walk from Ikebukuro Station’s East Gate Exit takes you to an oasis tucked away in the middle of a bustling city. Enjoy a moment’s zen at South Ikebukuro Park and have a hearty brunch at Racines FARM to PARK, a café owned by a popular restaurant called Racines Boulangerie Bistro. It’s not a bad idea to fill your stomach before embarking on a three hours walk!
Hours: 8:00-22:00
Access: 7 minutes’ walk from Ikebukuro Station East Exit
Address: 2-21-1 South Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
Hours: 8:00-22:00 (Weekday) 9:00-22:00 (Weekend and holiday)
URL: http://racines-park.com/ (Japanese)
Toden Arakawa Line 都電荒川線 / Toden Zoshigaya Sta. 都電 雑司ヶ谷駅
Toden Arakawa Line is the only remaining streetcar line in Tokyo, travel ing between Minowabashi and Waseda. If you are at South Ikebukuro Station, walk towards Higashi Ikebukuro Station and you’ll soon see Toden Zoshigaya Station. Watch as the cute-retro streetcar roam slowly through the streets of modern Tokyo, and if time is on your side, we strongly recommend that you take the tram and experience a different facet of Tokyo.
Access: 13 minutes’ walk from Ikebukuro Station East Exit
Address: 3-25 South Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
Kishimojin-do Temple 鬼子母神堂
Located in the heart of Zoshigaya, Kishimojin-do Temple is where locals visit to pray for a safe childbirth. The main building was constructed in 1664 and has undergone several renovations that have left traces of history on the architecture. The trees along the stone paved path connecting Toden Kishimojin Mae Station and the Buddhist temple are 400 years old and as intriguing as ever.
Access: 15 minutes’ walk from Ikebukuro Station East Exit or get off at Toei Arakawa Line Kishimojin Mae Station.
Address: 3-15-20 Zoshigaya, Toshima-ku
SKY CIRCUS Sunshine 60 Observatory SKY CIRCUS サンシャイン 6 0 展望台
Built in the 1970s, the skyscraper Sunshine 60 is symbolic of Japan’s economic boom. This historical landmark has witnessed many changes in Tokyo over the past decades. Today, it’s not only an observatory with an extraordinary view, but also an entertainment space offering a full sensory experience through virtual reality technologies. Fly through the skies of Tokyo and get transported to the future!
Hours: 10:00-22:00
Access: 8 minutes’ walk from Ikebukuro Station Exit 35 or walk for 4 minutes from Toei Arakawa Line Ikebukuro 4-chome Station
Address: SUNSHING CITY Sunshine 60, 3-1-1 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
Url: http://www.skycircus.jp/english/
RINGO Ikebukuro RINGO 池袋店
The taste of RINGO’s apple pies is one of a kind. The apple pie has a crispy crust, melt-in-your-mouth apple filling and rich custard cream with the perfect blend of sweetness and flavor. The rich dessert is a harmony of taste, smell and feel for your senses. No wonder there is always a long line in front of the Ikebukuro store, which is the one and only branch in Tokyo.
Hours: 10:00-22:00
Access: Ikebukuro Station East Exit
Address: JR Ikebukuro Station 1 F, 1-28-2 Minami Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
Url: http://ringo-applepie.com/(Japanese)
Edogawa Rampo Memorial Center for Popular Culture Studies, Rikkyo University / 立教大学江戸川乱歩記念大衆文化研究センター
Hours: 10:30-16:00 (Wednesdays and Fridays unless on holidays)Access: 7 minutes’ walk from Ikebukuro Station West Exit
Address: 3-34-1 Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
Url: http://www.rikkyo.ac.jp/research/institute/rampo/ (Japanese only)
SEIBU Tourist Information Center Ikebukuro 西武ツーリストインフォメー ションセンター池袋
SEIBU Tourist Information Center Ikebukuro is operated by staff who speak English, Chinese and various other languages.They are dedicated to providing travelers with timely assistance and travel information about Ikebukuro and Seibu Line. Before departing for Narita Airport, you can get the Skyliner Value Ticket with special discount price here and transfer at Keisei Ueno Station or Nippori Station.The Skyliner train goes from downtown Tokyo to Narita Airport in as little as 36 minutes, so you have plenty of time to shop around at Ikebukuro Station, which is adjacent to Seibu Department Store and Tobu Department Store.
Hours: 8:00-18:00 (Ticket counter: 8:00-15:00)
Access: 1F Ikebukuro Station East Exit
Url: visit website
