Ikebukuro Gets Major Redevelopment as Mitsubishi, Tobu Railway Push Forward

The IT tower TOKYO opened in March 2026 on the former Ikebukuro Marui site at the West Exit, marking the first visible symbol of the once-in-a-century redevelopment. The 29-story mixed-use tower now anchors daily activity in the area while larger plans for the surrounding blocks advance.

Retail Anchors Already in Place

Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Ikebukuro began operations on June 30, 2025, followed by the flagship Animate Ikebukuro Store on March 16, 2026. These additions have positioned the district as a direct competitor to Akihabara for anime and electronics retail. IKEBUKURO PARCO continues its renovation through 2026, with approximately 80 new shops opening sequentially under the NEW FRIENDS theme.

Three-Block Plan Takes Shape

The Ikebukuro Station West Exit Area Development Plan, led by Mitsubishi Jisho and Tobu Railway, divides the district into blocks A, B and C. The multi-billion yen project aims to create a high-tech cultural hub. With the IT tower TOKYO now complete, attention shifts to how the remaining blocks will integrate with the new tower and existing station infrastructure.

Animation Production Hub on Schedule

Studio One Base, a 1,400 tsubo facility centered on the KADOKAWA group, remains scheduled to open in Sunshine City in autumn 2026. The hub is expected to expand Ikebukuro’s role beyond retail into full-scale animation production.

Decisions Ahead for Blocks A, B and C

Project leads must now determine the precise mix of uses, tenant strategies and connections between the three blocks. These choices will shape how the high-tech cultural vision materialises over the coming years and how the completed IT tower TOKYO functions within the larger redevelopment.