I love to eat savory Japanese dumplings and weird ice cream in Ikebukuro, then roam around the LABI electronics superstore to see all the strange toys and appliances.
Inside a huge shopping complex called Sunshine City, there’s an odd only-in-Japan indoor amusement park called Namco Namja Town. Inside Namja Town is an old-style food stand street called Gyoza Stadium. Stands there sell all the best kinds of savory dumplings from all over Japan.
Be sure you save room for dessert – there’s an ice cream shop at the end of the gyoza street with dozens of flavors that range from weird to fantastic. Not only do they have delicious fresh fruit flavors and various kind of chocolate, they also have really strange ones, like wasabi, curry, eel, and beer.
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Afterwards, let’s wander into the magnificent LAB1 electronics superstore. It has a really quirky toy department and an indoor playground for tots.
The Japanese appliance department at this store is entertaining too – they not only have a large selection of only-in-Japan appliances like electronic toilet seats and futon dryers, they also carry miniature countertop dishwashers
And we can’t leave Ikebukuro before stopping in at the Mega-Pokemon Center!
Most stores open from 10:00 am
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Nearby destinations: Koraku-en Garden, Koshinzuka Market, Rikugi-en, Shinjuku, Yasukuni Shrine, Yoyogi Park
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