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The Daily Insight

What does Ikebukuro mean?

Author

Emma Newman

Updated on February 18, 2026

The kanji for Ikebukuro literally means "pond bag", but locals have long toyed with the alternate meaning of the similar word fukurou, meaning owl.

Similarly, you may ask, what is Ikebukuro known for?

Ikebukuro is known for its lower-priced hotels, busy downtown street, and it has different faces such as an entertainment district around Ikebukuro Nishiguchi (west exit of Ikebukuro Station) area, students area where universities are, and cultural facilities like theaters.

Also, is Ikebukuro a real place? ?, [ikeb?k??o]) is a commercial and entertainment district in Toshima, Tokyo, Japan. Toshima ward offices, Ikebukuro station, and several shops, restaurants, and enormous department stores are located within city limits.

Correspondingly, is Ikebukuro dangerous?

Ikebukuro is perfectly safe unless you pass out on the street and get hit by a car because you drank yourself into a come. I've wandered around ikebukuro at night countless times by myself and with my gf. I've never felt in danger anywhere in Japan.

What does Bukuro mean?

, meaning "good fortune" or "luck") and fukuro (?, meaning "bag"). The change of fukuro to bukuro is the phenomenon known as rendaku.

Related Question Answers

Is Ikebukuro worth visiting?

Ikebukuro – A Bustling Shopping Area

No matter if you come alone or with friends and family, you will surely find something to entertain yourself in Ikebukuro. Thanks to the great convenience in transportation, the area is also ideal for sightseeing. It offers direct train lines to Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Odaiba.

What is the most dangerous city in Japan?

Kabukicho

What should I avoid in Japan?

20 Things You should Not Do when Visiting Japan
  • Spring beauty and Shinjuku, Tokyo.
  • Walk and Drive on the left side!
  • Passengers are busy and tired.
  • Don't make someone to be like this, she is tired of waiting for you!
  • Be always cool when talking with someone.
  • Japanese Bowing.
  • Respect and politeness is expected, NO TIPPING!
  • Don't forget to take off your shoes.

Where should you avoid in Japan?

11 Places You Should Avoid on Any Trip to Tokyo
  • Takeshita-dori. On weekends and holidays, Takeshita Street crowds can be suffocating | © MAHATHIR MOHD YASIN / Shutterstock.
  • Tokyo Skytree. Tokyo Skytree is beautiful from afar | © Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.
  • Robot Restaurant.
  • Golden Gai.
  • Ryogoku Kokugikan.
  • New York Grill.
  • Nakamise-dori.
  • Mount Fuji.

Is it safe to stay in Kabukicho?

There's little question that Kabukicho is the most dangerous neighborhood in Japan. That being said — Tokyo is remarkably safe. Locals have little fear of Kabukicho. There are plenty of regular businesses in the area: restaurants, karaoke, arcades, etc.

Is Ikebukuro like durarara?

Ikebukuro is the largest commercial and entertainment district in Toshima ward. Ikebukuro is the general location setting of Durarara!! and is home to its protagonists.

Is Tokyo a part of Japan?

Tokyo, formerly (until 1868) Edo, city and capital of Tokyo to (metropolis) and of Japan. It is located at the head of Tokyo Bay on the Pacific coast of central Honshu. It is the focus of the vast metropolitan area often called Greater Tokyo, the largest urban and industrial agglomeration in Japan.

How far is Ikebukuro from Shinjuku?

5 km

Is Tokyo dangerous for tourists?

Tokyo is a safe place to travel to.

There are so many other places in the world where you'll be much less safe, but there are still things that you should be aware of when traveling around the city. Earthquakes are a threat, and the weather can range from crazy hot to a fully fledged typhoon.

Is Ikebukuro West Gate Park Bl?

Ikebukuro West Gate Park (????????????), usually referred to by its initials IWGP, is a series of urban mystery novels by Ira Ishida. It was adapted into a drama television series directed by Tsutsumi Yukihiko.

Ikebukuro West Gate Park.

????????????
Original run April 2000 – June 2000
Episodes 11 + 1 special
Manga
Written by Ira Ishida

How many people live in Ikebukuro?

Although Toshima is a ward, it is referred to as a city. The ward offices are located in Ikebukuro, which is also the commercial and entertainment center of Toshima. With a non-Japanese population of 19,868, or 7.42% of the total, Toshima is one of the most international wards in Tokyo.

Toshima.

Symbols
Tree Prunus × yedoensis

How far is Ikebukuro from Shibuya?

8 km

Where should I live in Tokyo?

Best expat areas to live in Tokyo
  • Minato.
  • Shibuya.
  • Chiyoda.
  • Shinagawa.
  • Chuo.
  • Meguro.
  • Ota.
  • Setagaya.

Where can I go anime in Japan?

10 Best Spots in Tokyo for Anime and Manga Lovers
  1. Ghibli Museum.
  2. Fujiko.
  3. Pokemon Center TOKYO DX.
  4. Akihabara.
  5. Nakano Broadway.
  6. TOKYO ONE PIECE TOWER.
  7. Nintendo TOKYO.
  8. Odaiba Gundam.

What is Shibuya known for?

Shibuya is famous for its scramble crossing, called Shibuya Crossing. It is located in front of the Shibuya Station Hachikō exit and stops vehicles in all directions to allow pedestrians to inundate the entire intersection.

How do I get to Ikebukuro SMT IV?

The Ikebukuro Region is the fourth district you will visit in Tokyo. You can reach it by taking an Underground Tunnel from the Shinjuku Region.

What is Shinjuku known for?

Shinjuku (??) is one of the 23 city wards of Tokyo, but the name commonly refers to just the large entertainment, business and shopping area around Shinjuku Station. Shinjuku Station is the world's busiest railway station, handling more than two million passengers every day.

What is the setting of durarara?

Ikebukuro

Where is Otome Road in Ikebukuro?

Otome Road is located to the immediate west of Sunshine City, near Ikebukuro Station. Bordered by the Shuto Expressway, its boundaries are roughly defined as beginning at the Ikebukuro Animate Cafe and ending at the K-Books Cosplay Store.

What is a Shugi?

A shūgi-bukuro (???) is a special envelope in which money is given as a gift of celebration in Japan, especially at weddings. It is very common in Japan to give a gift of money at weddings.

How do you write a Japanese wedding envelope?

Proper congratulatory envelope etiquette

Write the amount enclosed on the front side of the inner envelope and your name and address on the back side. Keep in mind that the bills you enclose should be new. Place the bills inside so that the person on the bill faces the front and is towards the top.