Ike Bus: Slow-Paced Sightseeing in Ikebukuro

The Ike Bus is a slow-moving electric bus that travels on two overlapping routes through the east and west sides of Tokyo's Ikebukuro neighborhood. It travels at a maximum speed of 19km/h (about 12mph) and has a seating capacity of 22 passengers. It was commissioned in November 2019 by the Art and Culture Development Council of the local government of Toshima-ku, the Tokyo ward where Ikebukuro is located, and the bus operating company Willer.

The goal is to enable easier access to Ikebukuro's major parks, art and cultural landmarks. These include the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, the Sunshine City Prince Hotel, the Hotel Metropolitan, the Hareza Ikebukuro commercial complex as well as Minami-Ikebukuro park and Ike-Sun Park.

It runs seven days a week, every twenty minutes beginning at around 10:00am and ending around 6:00pm. One standard single fare ticket costs 100 yen, while you can also purchase a one-day unlimited fare ticket for 250 yen. The prices are discounted for children, senior citizens and those with disabilities.

A one-day pass priced at 250 yen

Before even getting on the IKE BUS, the first thing you will notice is its bright red exterior. The bus was designed by an award winning Japanese transportation vehicle designer named Eiji Mitooka, who also designed the bus stop signage and the staff uniforms. In addition, the bus is fully electric and has wheelchair access, making it eco-friendly and accessible for those with disabilities.

At each stop, you will notice the distinct bright red signage of the bus stop with the IKE BUS owl character perched on top.

The IKE BUS owl perched on top of one of the bus stops

Once inside, you will notice that the interior flooring and seating is filled with whimsical multi-colored patterns and shapes. If you look up, there will also be a digital display covering the entire roof of some of the buses. The display provides interesting video information about the city of Toshima and its cultural and seasonal events.

Whimsical seat design inside the IKE BUS

We traveled on the IKE BUS one day to find relaxing places to grab a cup of coffee or a quick bite to eat in between visiting some of the major landmarks accessible on the two routes. We have three great recommendations below.

Both the A and B routes of the IKE BUS stop at IKE SUN PARK, the largest park in Toshima-ward. Opened in July 2020, the park is a great place to relax because of its wide, grassy lawn, comfortable seating areas and joyful, family-friendly atmosphere.

Eat Good Place cafe and restaurant at the IKE SUN PARK stop

At IKE SUN PARK, you will find Eat Good Place, a cafe and restaurant that is a relaxing place to sit with a cup of coffee and a small snack while enjoying the scenery. We highly recommend trying their delicious selection of scones which come in a variety of savory and sweet flavors. You can also ask them to heat it up for you so it is warm and crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.

Pistachio and cranberry scone with a cup of coffee at Eat Good Place

If you are hungry, they also have a full breakfast and lunch menu filled with classic options such as toast with avocado, croque monsieur, grass fed beef burgers or vegetarian rice gratin dishes.

Eat Good Place Website:
https://www.epietriz.com/restaurants/eat-good-place
Eat Good Place Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/eatgood_place/

Route A and Route B also both stop at Higashi-Ikebukuro station, where you will find the entrance to the Yurakucho line on the Tokyo Metro subway. Here, we highly recommend checking out Fabric Cafe, a tiny sandwich and coffee shop with comfortable seating and delicious grilled sandwiches and coffee.

Fabric Cafe at the Higashi-Ikebukuro stop

The shop has an atmosphere reminiscent of coffee shops in Australian cities like Sydney or Melbourne where coffee culture is strong. They even have Australian radio programs running in the shop speakers in the background.

Fabric Cafe's grilled sandwiches use vegetables that taste especially fresh. Spending time here is a great way to recharge your batteries while you wait for the next IKE BUS to roll by.

Fabric Cafe's grilled aubergine, tomato and cheese sandwich (left) and a grilled honey, cheese and potato baguette (right) with a cup of coffee

Fabric Cafe Website:
http://www.fabric-coffee-sandwich.com/

One of the benefits of traveling slowly through some of the side streets of Ikebukuro is unexpectedly catching the scent of freshly baked donuts wafting through the air straight through the open windows of the IKE BUS.

Racines Bread & Salad is a hand-made donut shop that also sells fresh salads, bread, vegetables, kombucha and other specialty beverages. It is a few minutes-walk from the Azuma-Dori stop on Route B of the IKE BUS.

Racines Bread & Salad donut shop at the Azuma-dori stop on Route B

The shop boasts that it makes 1,000 hand-made donuts in 25 different varieties every day.

Racine Bread & Salad's maple bacon, chocolate and 5 color sprinkle and blood orange brioche donuts, and old-fashioned plain, cinnamon, sugar and strawberry donuts

Racines Bread & Salad Website:
https://racines-b-s.com/

Racines Bread & Salad Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/racines_bread_salad/

With so many options to travel around Tokyo, it is refreshing to see one alternative that aims to slow things down rather than speed things up.

The IKE BUS is a fun, delightful and relaxing way to stroll thorough one of Tokyo's most vibrant neighborhoods. And don't forget to take some time to sit back and relax at some of the recommended spots above before hitting up the next stop on the IKE BUS.

Getting on the IKE BUS at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre stop on Route B

Website:
https://travel.willer.co.jp/ikebus/


Seating capacity: 22 passengers
Maximum speed: 19km/h
Standard single fare ticket: 100 yen
One-day unlimited fare ticket: 250 yen

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