Restaurants, Bars and Cafés Beauty & Health Points of Interest

Taking a closer look at Tokyo’s nooks and crannies Ikebukuro (池袋), Akabane (赤羽) and Itabashi (板橋) are located in the northern section of the city, and are often overshadowed by trendier or larger neighborhoods like Shinjuku or Ueno. In all fairness, Ikebukuro is a neighborhood like Shinjuku but catering to the younger, wilder generation of late-teens to twenty-somethings. Akabane and Itabashi are neighborhoods famous for its shitamachi (downtown) ambiance, but with the convenience of having a large station and several department stores located nearby.

Ginto (銀兎) New York-Asian fusion Geometric design in black, white, and silver. Ginto serves original dishes like fusion sushi, with rice cooked in red wine. The head chef studied at a three-star restaurant in France before leading his staff at Ginto. Courses from ￥3,500. Menu in English and Japanese. Minami-Ikebukuro Kyodo Bldg. 4F, 1-19-5 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3980-0800 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit; metro exit 39) more information...

Honkaku Coffee Showa (本格珈琲昭和) café Time travel back to the Showa era. Coffee beans are ground and brewed upon ordering, so sit back in the dark wooden chairs and take your time looking around the nostalgic interior. Recommended: don't rush your stay, as refills are half-price. Coffee from ￥600. Menu in Japanese. Fujii Bldg. B1F, 3-24-3 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3987-0230 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit; metro exit 1B) more information...

La Fête French brasserie Reasonablably-priced French fare that doesn't compromise on flavor. Priced from just ￥2,730, all dinner courses allow you to choose both an appetizer and entrée—each with over half a dozen selections, like the smoked salmon tourtiere appetizer and beef cheek simmered in red wine entrée (both pictured)—as well as a fresh homemade sweet from the dessert cart. The lunch is popular among neighborhood OLs. Recommended: wine bottles are half-price on Monday evenings. Dinner from about ￥3,000. Menu in Japanese with some French. 2-27-2 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3985-5885 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit; metro exit 39) more information...

Meisha Chakan (梅舎茶館) Chinese tea and café The owner goes to mainland China and Taiwan herself in search of teas to serve at this café. Over 25 types of Chinese tea at any time, and visitors are welcome to ask the staff for recommendations based on his or her mood or health. Visits from around￥1,500. Menu in Japanese. 2F, 2-18-9 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku (above the dry cleaners) 03-3971-2256 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit) more information...

Mutekiya (無敵家) tonkotsu-shoyu ramen (Japanese) The rich gravy-like broth made of tonkotsu (pork bones) blended with a splash of shoyu (soy sauce) yields a delicious, surprisingly not-too-heavy ramen. Juicy chaashuu (BBQ pork slices) and perfectly soft-boiled eggs are among the popular toppings. Be prepared to wait in line during lunch and dinner hours. Recommended: hon-maru men（本丸麺, ￥730, pictured）, with a little bit of everything in their signature broth. Ramenn from ￥630. Menu in English and Japanese. 1-17-1 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3982-7656 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit) more information...

Oedo (活魚 大江戸) kaiten sushi (sushi on conveyor belts) The president of Oedo went all the way to Malta in the Mediterranean Sea to strike a deal on hon-maguro (本鮪, or bluefin tuna). This means when the ootoro fatty tuna sushi comes around on the conveyor belt, it's yours for only ￥315. Recommended: go mid-afternoon to avoid the lunch and dinner crowds. Meals from about ￥1,800. Menu in Japanese. 1-40-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3980-7973 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit; metro exit 34) more information...