Meet up after work in Ikebukuro, for a ‘night owl stroll date’ that can be enjoyed even after 9pm.

Hello, This is the Ikebukuro Snap Editorial Team!　

‘Ikebukuro doesn’t feel like a date ……’

It’s good for shopping, but it doesn’t have a romantic atmosphere.

‘There are a lot of chain shops and not much to see. It doesn’t seem like it would bring us closer.

I often hear such comments.

I have been living in Ikebukuro for two years now. Living as a resident of Toshima Ward, there are many places in Ikebukuro where you can shorten the distance between you!　However, the image of Ikebukuro among the general public is that it is not a place to go on a date.

Ikebukuro is often described as a “young people’s town”. It is true that Ikebukuro does not give the impression of being a place where grown-up men and women go out together.

But in fact, Ikebukuro has many places where you can enjoy yourself on a date!　

So this time, we’ll introduce a ‘walking date route’ in Ikebukuro that you can enjoy even on your way home from work!

Please give it a try during this season when the weather is warmer and the night breeze is pleasant when you walk around.

❏ Rather than a relaxed drink, a stroll is the best way to shorten the distance between you and your date.

When it comes to dates, it is common for two people to talk slowly in a private room at a fashionable restaurant ……. The most common way of going on a date is to talk slowly in a private room at a fashionable restaurant and then go for a walk. You can talk until the last train while eating a delicious meal and getting to know each other …….

However, what I would like to recommend this time is not “relaxing at a restaurant” but “walking around the city”!

The late Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, used to have frequent ‘walking meetings’ with his staff.

By walking and talking, rather than sitting in a meeting room and grumbling at each other, he was able to communicate more smoothly with his staff and increase their productivity.

It is true that walking and talking side by side helps to relieve tension and make conversations go more smoothly.

Moreover, the streets of Ikebukuro are crowded with people even at night,

‘Silence is awkward ……’

You don’t have to worry about that!

We’ll guide you through our recommended nighttime walking routes, while also introducing shops where you can stop by casually if you get tired.

❏ After work, 21:00. Meet up at a beer hall.

Let’s go for a walk after having a drink… so we recommend this beer hall.

It features large windows, so even if you’re not used to Ikebukuro, you won’t have to worry.

‘I’ll be there as soon as I finish work!’ It is also easy to meet up.

The beer hall offers not only beer, but also a wide range of cocktails and snacks. WACCA Ikebukuro is easy to use, whether you want a full meal or just a light snack.

WACCA Ikebukuro is open until 9pm, but this restaurant is open until 11pm, so you don’t have to worry even if you have a long day at work.

❏ Sunshine 60 Street is a treasure trove of nightlife spots.

‘The breeze feels nice, why don’t we go for a walk?’

Once you’ve eaten, you and your partner can head out for a night on the town.

It’s already spring. It’s a great feeling to take a walk in the soft breeze, slightly tipsy.

First, let’s go to Sunshine 60 Street, which is not far from WACCA Ikebukuro.

Sunshine Street has various nightlife spots such as karaoke, bars, cafés and cinemas.

A good place to stop by during your stroll is Sakeba Yokocho.

If you go one street back from Sunshine 60 Street in the direction of Green Street, you will find a retro bar alley with a Showa-era atmosphere.

The two side streets are Mikuni Koji and Sakaecho Dori, respectively.

Stepping into one is like stepping back in time.

Snack bars, izakayas and bars line the streets.

At the moment you are here, the hustle and bustle of Ikebukuro sounds somewhat distant.

The atmosphere is so atmospheric that it’s like you’ve entered another world, so be sure to stop by.

❏ For a more mature atmosphere, head towards Green Boulevard.

Head a little off the East Exit and towards Minami Ikebukuro, and the atmosphere changes dramatically.

You’ll find an increasing number of independent shops, small bars and cafés, so it can be fun to find a favourite place for the two of you.

What kind of shops do you like?

What do you like?　What foods do you dislike?”

Let’s try this place next time!”

It’s a great place to have a conversation about food.

Minami Ikebukuro Park in the direction of Green Boulevard was renovated and reopened in 2016 and is open until 10pm, so you can sit on a bench and take a break if you are tired from your stroll.

There is also a café in the park, so it is easy to have in-depth conversations over a cup of coffee, something you wouldn’t normally do.

❏ East Street is lined with unique restaurants

From Green Boulevard, heading further towards Zoshigaya, you will find East Street.

East Street, where unique restaurants have been increasing one after another for the past five years, leads from the Zoshigaya direction to Ikebukuro Station.

Now the walk is finally coming to an end.

Let’s walk slowly along Higashi-dori towards Ikebukuro Station.

Not far from Toden Zoshigaya Station is the Tokyo Tenroin bookshop, Tokyo Tenroin.

As well as selling books, it also operates as a BAR.

It is open until 22:00, so you might want to stop by.

It is fun to talk about books and movies while walking the streets at night.

Now, walking down East Street towards Ikebukuro, you will find many shops with a great atmosphere.

If you are in the mood for a variety of drinks!　If you are in the mood for a variety of drinks, then by all means try Ikebukuro no Kaze.

From the drinks to the appetisers, from the layout of the restaurant to everything else, this izakaya is full of the owner’s particular attention to detail. There are plenty of meats, fish and snacks to choose from. In addition, it is open until 3:00 am, so even late-night dates can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

There are so many interesting places to eat! Let’s head towards Ikebukuro Station while talking about this and that.

❏ Go to Ikebukuro Station again!

Good job!

Passing through East Street, we arrive at the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station.

Ikebukuro Station is full of interesting spots, so just walking around is exciting.

There are actually a lot of hole-in-the-wall restaurants that are easy to wander into, so I think it’s fun to go on a food and drink stroll.

Why not try a night-out date where you can enjoy the Ikebukuro streets while strolling around?

Article by Saki Kawashiro (Tenloin Bookshop)

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