Salariman's domain - Ikebukuro japan

Ikebukuro, Tokyo Japan

This area was largely unknown to the tourist trade, being home to smaller corporations and suburban workers or salariman (salaried employees) as is commonly called by the Japanese.

However, Ikebukuro (pronounced Ee-ke-bu-kro) actually has the 2nd busiest train station in Tokyo after Shinjuku and is the terminal for the Narita Express and subways like the Ginza and Yurakucho lines. Deviously, the train station was built by 2 major departmental stores, the Seibu and the Tobu, built directly above the tracks. These are humongous stores where you can literally get lost within. You are fed directly off the train platforms into the department stores with its enticing sales and food outlets. Talk about retaining customers!

Over the past years, Ikebukuro has come into its own and is now a tourist mecca due to lower prices here than in more popular localities like Shinjuku, Shibuya or Ginza. More so, with the construction of more mega-malls like the Sunshine City, Amlux Toyota showroom, Louis Vuitton showroom, Mitsukoshi and Parco department stores. Yet, it still retains an old charm of Japanese culture with its myriad small neighborhood shops.

Ikebukuro at night

Amlux building houses the Toyota Showroom and Museum.
A must see destination for sporting and car enthusiasts.

Family Mart is just one of the several convenience store located all over Tokyo.
Commonly known as 'conben'. Others are 7-11, am~pm and Lawsons.
Buying your necessities from these stores saves you lots of money.
You can also have meals within most stores.

Japanese goods store in Sunshine City mall

A Pachinko & Gaming parlour.

A Discount Store with its typical Japanese signages.

Back from my hiatus

Tokyo, 21st - 25th February 2009


It's been a while since my last posting... 3 months i guess...writer's block, sloth, lazy or whatever. I just couldn't get around to putting my thoughts into the blog.

Just got back from another visit to Tokyo. 21st to 25th February. Temperatures there averaged 5 deg Celsuis. Nice and cold.

As usual, booked into the Sunshine City Prince Hotel.
"Irrashaimasse. Welcome back, Mr Tann."
Well, things already starting to look good if they greet you like that. Of course, being a member of the Prince Club International entitles you to some privileges at their chain, but better was yet to come. If you do travel, I'd encourage you to sign up for any in-house programs. It doesn't cost you anything and you always benefit from it.

"We've given you a room on the top panorama floor, 37th floor, Room 3732. We hope you enjoy your stay with us."
The 34th to 37th floors of the Sunshine City Prince are the executive floors. Although having the same tiny room size as the others, the amenities are a little better. You get little niceties like real drip coffee, a Simmons pocketed spring bed, better toiletries like shaving foam and facial cleansers, and even branded soap and shampoo from Pola Cosmetics. Small stuff but it makes you 'feel' better, hmmm. And the ubiquitous Japanese automatic toilet!

And then, of course, there's the view of Tokyo from that height.
Unfortunately, Ikebukuro is not Shinjuku or Roponggi with iconic views of Tokyo. It's a 'suburban' sprawl, if there's such a thing within Tokyo. The place is so massive that there's no demarcation from one area to another. I am beginning to really like the place and this trip gave me the full opportunity to explore every nook and cranny there.

The view of Ikebuburo, Tokyo from the 37th floor of Sunshine City Prince Hotel.
Click on the picture for a detailed view.

Toileteries from Pola Cosmetics in the bathroom












Japanese auto toilet.
You just do what comes naturally and it does the rest for you,
including warming the seat. ha ha.

Day 1. 15th May - From Tokyo

Landed at Narita Airport at 7.30am after 7 hours on ANA HN902.
Uneventful fight except for the difficulty in getting some sleep.

We had 3 options to get from Narita Airport into Tokyo.
1.) by the NEX Narita Express Train 1800yen,
2.) Airport Limousine bus 3000yen, or
3.) by taxi for US$180!

Obviously, you’d think we take the train.
But no, I opted for the Limousine Bus for several reasons.

The Airport Limousine Bus takes a more scenic route than the train but best of all it comes with a free Tokyo metro subway pass valid for a whole day unlimited travel within Tokyo.
This already makes it worth higher price of the bus ticket. And besides, the Limo Bus goes right to the hotel front door, whereas it’s a 10 minute walk from the train station dragging your luggage!

Arrived at the Sunshine City Prince Hotel at 9.45am.
The ’Sunshine City’ does not refer to the city of Tokyo despite Japan being ‘the land of the rising sun’.
It’s a massive city complex with malls, 60 storey office blocks, hotels & entertainment located in the 2^nd largest Tokyo suburb called Ikebukuro.
Being a member of the Prince Club International, I was hoping that we would get an early check-in but unfortunately, the hotel was full till check out at 12noon.

So instead of the planned 'early check-in, then Disneyland' itinerary for the 1st day, we switched to touring Tokyo city itself.

The usual tourist traps at Asakusa, Ginza, Ueno, Shibuya

Dinner at Shinjuku.
It’s only 10 mins from Sunshine City which meant we can stay till the last train at midnight. This is the Tokyo that most people visualise. It’s Neon City, garish, bright, loud and different. Recently featured in movies like “Lost in Translation” & “Tokyo Drift”.

This is my hotel room on the 23rd floor and the view of Tokyo outside the window.

Good Night