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Anime Tokyo Station — Ikebukuro’s New Free Attraction, But…?

 

Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo’s great urban centers, a place where business districts, shopping, gourmet dining, and entertainment all come together. Its station ranks third in daily passenger traffic after Shinjuku and Shibuya in Japan.

In recent years, Ikebukuro has also begun to highlight its identity as an “anime town.” From the Animate flagship store to Otome Road, a wide range of shops and events have clustered here, turning the area into a hub of subculture rivaling Akihabara.

In 2023, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government opened a new facility here: Anime Tokyo Station. Positioned as a hub for promoting anime worldwide as a cultural content, it carries the concept of spreading the appeal of anime from Ikebukuro, now known as one of the “holy grounds of anime.”

At least, that’s the official description. This time, I actually visited the site, and here is my honest report.

Access — Convenience That Makes It Easy to Drop By


Anime Tokyo Station is only a 4-minute walk from Ikebukuro’s East Exit. Step away from the bustle of the shopping streets and you arrive almost instantly.

The accessibility is one of its best points, making it easy for tourists to stop in. As expected from a public facility, admission is free—definitely a welcome bonus.

They also distribute anime-related tourism maps in English and leaflets about the exhibits. The Tokyo Anime Map in particular is well-made. It covers famous Tokyo landmarks, locations used in various anime, and shops selling books or goods.

Tokyo anime map

 You can view it online, but grabbing a paper copy on-site makes for a nice souvenir.

Permanent Exhibition — Experiencing the Analog Era of Anime Production

In the basement, the permanent exhibition recreates the world of anime production in the analog era. Visitors can see cels, scripts, coloring tools, film editing equipment, and get a sense of what production sites once felt like. Explanations are available in foreign languages via QR codes.

Tools and materials actually used at Tezuka Productions (the studio founded by Tezuka Osamu, often called the “father of Japanese manga and anime”) and at Tatsunoko Production ( (the studio famous for superhero shows beloved by older generations) are also on display.

Getting a glimpse behind the scenes of anime-making turned out to be a fascinating experience.


Special Exhibitions — Immersing in Popular Worlds

On the ground floor, rotating special exhibitions are held. Past displays have featured hits like Naruto and Love Live!.

At the time of my visit, a SPY×FAMILY exhibition was underway. Many foreign tourists were seen posing for photos with Anya at the designated photo spot.

Photography is allowed except for certain original artwork, though video recording is prohibited. The content mainly consists of panels introducing the story. From the perspective of “exclusive exhibitions you can only see here,” it feels a little weak. To give away a small secret, SPY×FAMILY Season 3 is scheduled to begin airing on October 4, 2025, and the exhibition is strongly tied to that promotion.

Still, being able to immerse yourself in the world of a favorite series is enjoyable. There is also a shop and a capsule toy section, which adds to the fun for fans who want to bring home some merchandise.

Honest Impressions — It Could Use More Effort

On the first floor, colorful monuments featuring popular anime characters welcome visitors

At this point, you may think, “Sounds like a nice facility.” But to be frank, there are a few drawbacks:

  • The facility is small
    Spread across just three floors (basement to 2nd floor), it is not spacious. With a grand name like “Anime Tokyo Station,” one might imagine something theme-park sized, and that can make the reality feel underwhelming.

  • Exhibitions rely heavily on the specials
    The permanent exhibition isn’t bad, but it lacks dazzle. If the rotating show happens to be about a series you don’t care for, the draw is much weaker.

  • Weak promotional presence
    I personally only learned of its existence recently, and it still has low visibility. The planning and promotion feel bureaucratic, and it seems to lack the kind of lively appeal that pulls people in.

Might as Well Check It Out!

A message board filled with notes from fans across Japan and around the world

Anime Tokyo Station is worth a stop for anime fans visiting Ikebukuro. After all, with a name that grand, it’s hard not to check it out, right?

That said, my honest impression is: “Don’t expect a big spectacle!”

The fact that it’s free and easily accessible makes it attractive. You can walk through the entire exhibition thoroughly in about 30 minutes, so it’s best enjoyed as a place to rest a little after hitting more intense anime spots like Otome Road, Animate, or a maid café. There are seats available, too.

Overall, I do feel it “could use more effort,” but it’s still a free anime culture hub with some fun photo spots. If anime is on your Tokyo travel agenda, it’s worth dropping by—you won’t regret it.

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