Yodobashi Camera will be moving into Seibu Ikebukuro and Mayor Takano is against it. As he feels it reduces Ikebukuro’s cultural identity and discouraging wealthy individuals from shopping there.
I get it. But I also understand the generational shift, as Ikebukuro has become similar to Akihabara (Akihabara which targets male otaku and Ikebukuro targets female otaku).
But while I know that Seibu Ikebukuro had expensive shops, and the location was a prime area for people to do their shopping. I also believe the generational shift and that more people who want luxury items to go to Setagaya or Ginza, even Tokyo Midtown, Marunouchi district, Roppongi Hills and Omotesando Hills.
Tokyo has grown a lot and areas where the wealthy shop, is primarily featured in Japanese fashion magazines and you can just tell.
So, I understand where Mayor Takano is coming from, because he wants these luxury shops that appeal to high end shoppers to come and shop in Ikebukuro. For Ikebukuro to not lose that distinction.
Unfortunately, Ikebukuro has lost so much due to the pandemic. BIC CAMERA Ikebukuro East Exit closed down on January 2021. Ikebukuro Marui closed down on August 2021 and changing times, Ikebukuro is transforming itself to something more progressive that is attracting young people. While there are now locations that are targeting more affluent individuals.
I’ve seen Ikebukuro as a square with two lines running vertically and horizontally. Each of those four divided areas being uniquely different from each other.
I personally stay in West Ikebukuro/Nishi Ikebukuro (a place that was once a scary place to visit back in the early ’90s due to the violence, and still regarded the second red light district after Kabukicho in Shinjuku), which is now one of the most affordable places for travelers to stay, artsy location and where you see many students, and be near the Yamanote Line. The place has changed a lot.
But the most popular is East Ikebukuro/Higashi Ikebukuro for shopping, dining, etc. As it’s where the big shopping centers and entertainment areas are located.
While it has many shops, it has quickly become the destination for otaku. Cosplayers, anime/manga fans and the fact that Akihabara is slowly losing its foothold due thanks to online shopping.
While North Ikebukuro/Kita Ikebukuro is seen as the Chinese side known for its large number of Chinese restaurants and businesses (very large Chinese population who have been trying to have the location officially known as the fourth “Chinatown”). While South Ikebukuro/Minami Ikebukuro is where a few colleges, shrines and temples are located.
Ikebukuro is unique in that you have a commercial district that really offers a lot.
I call it my second home because it’s where I stay when I’m in Japan. The Yamanote Line is quite close and it’s very convenient if I want to go to Shibuya or Shinjuku.
But Japan is an aging society and many who grew up during the Showa era (1926-1989), especially through the times of post-Empire of Japan to postwar Showa period and witnessing the Japanese economic miracle that brought prosperity to the country.
While those who grew up in the Heisei era (1989-2019), witnessed the “bubble economy” but also technological progress, the boom of anime, boost of tourism, and the country thrived on tourism making Japan often winning first place in top destinations to travel. Also, the tragedy of March 2011 and other tragedies which brought Japan and its allies closer together but also people had a chance to witness a side of Japan thanks to the tail-end preparing to host the Olympics.
But here we are in the Reiwa era (2019-present), the novel coronavirus has brought uncertainty. The Olympics which many were excited about, interest was not as strong due to the pandemic. The country’s economy is in somewhat shambles. The yen is lower than the dollar, announcements of price increases for nearly everything and many popular restaurants and establishments have closed down and no matter how hard these well-known businesses tried to stay afloat, no one expected the novel coronavirus to last this long.
While travel has been opened, businesses are rethinking strategies and for Yodobashi Camera, occupying Seibu Ikebukuro is huge. Considering that the other Yodobashi Camera is thrived in Akihabara, with many young people going to Ikebukuro, it is a sign of growing change.
Change that those who who were there to build and change Ikebukuro during the Showa and Heisei era are not happy to see. But the times are changing.
The Japan which my father was a part of, is no longer the Japan that I now see.
The Japan that I first saw back in 1999 is not the same that I see today.
But these are part of the changing times.
While Seibu Ikebukuro is no doubt a big part of Ikebukuro’s cultural identity. The four areas of Ikebukuro is its current cultural identity. It’s what makes Ikebukuro so special.
We have seen how other wards have changed in order to create something different, new and exciting.
Ikebukuro can do the same.
