Do you like anime and manga?

Then, you must know or heard about Akihabara.
Maybe some people also add Nakano as the next place.

But over the decade, one more place is becoming popular among anime fans.

That’s Ikebukuro I introduce this time.

Many Fujoshi, otaku and cosplayer come together in Ikebukuro now.

What is Fujoshi?

You might think what is Fujoshi?

“Fu” is rot or decay and you can use the Chinese character “腐”.
“Joshi” is a girl and you can write “女子” in Japanese.

Combination of rot, decay and girl is Fujyoshi.

That is, Rotten Girl.

Why such a negative word like 腐 is used for a young girl?

That’s because they admit or maybe sometimes proud of their thought and taste.

Fujyoshi like BL comic.
BL is Boys Love.

I think most Fujoshi also like ordinary anime and manga but they love BL stories.

They understand their taste, maybe they think like “I’m rotten as I like such a story”, so the special word 腐 is added.

There is a case this Fujyoshi is used for keen Otaku girl as well.
They also really understand their taste.

This Fujoshi started to be used among otaku in 1990s and started to be recognized among ordinary people since around 2005.

Where is Otome Road?

Otome means a girl.
But the name more focused on girlish or maiden part young girls have.

This Otome Road is the place Fujoshi or Otaku come together.

It is located in Higashi Ikebukuro in Toshima Ward.

Faces to Sunshine 60 Building and many anime and manga shops such as K-BOOKS, Rashinban, Animate, Mandarake, etc. you can see in the area.

It’s about 10 minutes from East exit of Ikebukuro station.

Just walk along Sunshine Street, which is the main street in Ikebukuro, to Sunshine 60 Building and around the area is already Higashi Ikebukuro.

Technically speaking, Otome Road is the road between Mandarake Ikebukuro and East Ikebukuro Central Park which stretches about 200 meters.

But the whole area around Higashi Ikebukuro 3 in Toshima Ward is already Otome place and you can find many anime and manga shops in the area.

Here is the map which focused on the area and some shops.

Popular Stores in and around Otome Road!

Actually, there are so many shops for Otaku, Fujoshi and ordinary anime fans in and around Otome Road.

Most famous and popular shops are Animate, K-BOOKS, Rashinban, Mandarake, ACOS, etc.

Here I picked up them!

K-BOOKS

K-BOOKS is one of the most famous shops among Fujyoshi in Ikebukuro.

Because they handle a wide variety of BL items as well as anime and manga goods.

It has about 20 shops in Japan and most of the shops are located here in Ikebukuro.

Many Fujyoshi come together here.
I myself went to the shop to check out but, yes I’m a man, so I felt this is a bit different category to me.

But must be great place for girls who love BL things.

Rashinban

Rashinban is the big chain anime and manga shop.

Over 50 shops nationwide in Japan.
It also has its shop in Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong, too.

They handles figure, books, cosplay costumes, anime goods, etc.

Just in Ikebukuro it has 4 shops.
Each shops handles different categories of the anime and manga-related items.

I’ve been to this shop sometimes just to check the goods they sell.

Animate

Animate is the biggest anime and manga chain store in Japan as long as I know.

I sometimes went to the shop when I was a child (although even now I sometimes go).
You can find over 120 shops all over Japan.

And here in Ikebukuro, they have the headquarter.

So many Otaku and anime fans as well as Fujoshi come together.

You can find a wide variety of anime goods from comic, novel, figure, card, game, CD, DVD, cosplay costume, etc. on each floors.

They also have Animate Cafe here.

Anyone who like anime and manga can enjoy at Animate.

Must spot to visit!

MANDARAKE

MANDARAKE is also very big chain store like Animate in Japan.

If you like figure and anime and already visited Japan, you must know.

MANDARAKE in Akihabara and Nakano is especially very big and you can spend hours.

I myself visit this MANDARAKE and buy items sometimes although the shop I go to is mostly in Akihabara or Nakano.

For the MANDARAKE in Ikebukuro, they mainly sell BL comics, dolls, anime goods, cosplay costumes.
I also checked inside and felt like they focused on goods and comics for girls.

For other MANDARAKE, anyone can enjoy as long as you like anime, manga and figure but here in Ikebukuro, I think it is for girls, especially for Fujoshi.

P’ PARCO

PARCO is a large commercial complex right next to Ikebukuro station.

And this P’ PARCO sells mainly clothes like PARCO but the difference is they also sell anime and manga goods including cosplay costumes.

From B2F to 4th floor, you can find anime and manga shops.
You can also see unique clothes which represent subculture.

There is even a special shop for Evangelion.

If you like music, 5th and 6 floors are TOWER RECORD, so you can check anime songs there.

P’ PARCO is 1 minute from East exit of Ikebukuro station.

Very convenient, so check the stores out inside!

HACOSTADIUM cosset

If you are a cosplayer here is the spot!

HACOSTADIUM cosset is a cosplay amusement studio and space.

They offer you great sets for shooting.

Looks like you need to register online and book in advance if you use.

They also hold event sometimes for cosplayer to make friends.

For the community space, anyone can use and relax.

ACOS

ACOS is the most famous shop for cosplayer in Ikebukuro.

Here you can buy a wide variety of cosplay goods from the fashion items, wigs to costumes.

The quality of the each items are good and well made.

As the cosplay costumes are being displayed, ordinary people can also enjoy.

If you are a cosplayer, yes, must-spot to visit!

Butler Cafe Swallowtail

You might know about Maid Cafe in Japan.

But there is a cafe for girls, too.

That’s the Butler Cafe Swallowtail.

If you want to be treated like a princess in a special atmosphere, yes, your dream will come true here.

They treat you in a polite manner and service.

The foods, sweets and tea are also special.
I want to try them, too.

Just in case, I recommend you to reserve a seat if you visit.

They recruit butler now.
Shall I apply for?
Well, I’d better not because of my rough character, haha.

Summary of Otome Road

Ikebukuro was not famous as a anime spot before.

Since I was a little, I came to Ikebukuro, rather was working at a cafe when I was a student but could not see such a many anime shops like today.

But over the decade, the situation has changed.
Now I could see many anime and comic spots here.

Looks like municipality itself promotes anime in Ikebukuro now.

I can say the 3 biggest anime & manga spots are Akihabara, Nakano and Ikebukuro.

Not only Fujoshi but ordinary anime fan can enjoy the time here in Ikebukuro!

PS. if you come to Tokyo and need help, I’ll be a guide for free, so feel free to contact me from Inquiry

Tags: Fujoshi, Ikebukuro, Otome Road Author : Hiroshi