Things to Do in Toshima (豊島区), Tokyo: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Toshima (豊島区) in Tokyo Prefecture (Kanto, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Gokoku Ji (1.5 km), Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo (0.5 km), Kongō In (2.0 km) and served by Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km) via the regional hub at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND). Set at 8 m elevation (35.7333°N, 139.7167°E), Toshima offers travelers a base for sampling regional Edomae nigiri sushi, Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen, Monjayaki (Tsukishima) cuisine and exploring neighboring Kita (北区) (2.4 km), Bunkyō (文京区) (3.5 km), Shinjuku (新宿区) (3.6 km), Itabashi (板橋区) (4.8 km).

It is one of the eight central wards of the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Located in the northern area of Tokyo, Toshima is bordered by the wards of Nerima, Itabashi, and Kita in the north and Nakano, Shinjuku, and Bunkyo in the south. Toshima was formed in 1932 by the merger of four towns, Sugamochō, Nishi-sugamochō, Takadachō, and Nagasakichō, bordered by the quickly expanding former city of Tokyo. The area evolved from a suburban agricultural district in the Edo period to the urban commercial center that it is today. FamilyMart has its headquarters in Ikebukuro, Toshima. Within Tokyo Prefecture, Toshima (豊島区) serves as a special ward of tokyo in Tokyo Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1947-03-13) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as 23 historic & futuristic special wards (Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza) plus leafy Western Tokyo Tama cities (Kichijoji/Musashino, Mitaka, Tachikawa, Hachioji/Mount Takao).

What to See & Do in Toshima (豊島区): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Toshima (豊島区) from Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km) at 8 m elevation (35.7333°N, 139.7167°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Toshima):

• Gokoku Ji (1.5 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Toshima (豊島区).
• Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo (0.5 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Toshima (豊島区).
• Kongō In (2.0 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Toshima (豊島区).
• Yakuō In (2.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Toshima (豊島区).
• Kumagai Art Museum — local sightseeing landmark near Toshima (豊島区).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Toshima: Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km) (connecting to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Toshima

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Toshima (豊島区) and Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Tokyo Prefecture and Kanto:

• Kita (北区) — 2.4 km from Toshima (Tokyo Prefecture)
• Bunkyō (文京区) — 3.5 km from Toshima (Tokyo Prefecture)
• Shinjuku (新宿区) — 3.6 km from Toshima (Tokyo Prefecture)
• Itabashi (板橋区) — 4.8 km from Toshima (Tokyo Prefecture)
• Tokyo (東京特別区部) — 5.3 km from Toshima (Tokyo Prefecture)

Getting to Toshima & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Toshima (豊島区) via Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km): Direct international flights into Haneda (HND, 20m from center) and Narita (NRT, 40–60m); connected to all JR East & JR Central Shinkansen lines plus JR Chuo Line to West Tokyo. From Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km) to reach central Toshima (35.7333°N, 139.7167°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Tokyo (Shinjuku) with Toshima (豊島区) and neighboring Kita, Bunkyō, Shinjuku. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Toshima, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Toshima and continuing toward Kita can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Toshima: While Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km) anchors public transit for Toshima, picking up a rental car at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) makes it easy to link Gokoku Ji (1.5 km) and Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo (0.5 km) with nearby Kita (北区) (2.4 km), Bunkyō (文京区) (3.5 km), Shinjuku (新宿区) (3.6 km), Itabashi (板橋区) (4.8 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Toshima (豊島区) & Tokyo

Dining near Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km) and across Toshima (豊島区) highlights the regional food culture of Tokyo Prefecture and Kanto. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Toshima:

• Local specialty & terroir of Toshima (豊島区): sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming.
• Edomae nigiri sushi — regional specialty enjoyed across Toshima (豊島区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
• Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Toshima (豊島区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
• Monjayaki (Tsukishima) — regional specialty enjoyed across Toshima (豊島区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
• Tempura & tonkatsu — regional specialty enjoyed across Toshima (豊島区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
• Fukagawa-meshi (clam rice) & artisanal depachika sweets — regional specialty enjoyed across Toshima (豊島区) and Tokyo Prefecture.

If you are dining in Toshima (豊島区) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km).

Where to Stay in Toshima (豊島区)

Visitors staying overnight in Toshima (豊島区) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km), or base at major rail hubs in Tokyo (Shinjuku) (Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND)) or neighboring Kita, Bunkyō, Shinjuku for quick train access into Toshima. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Toshima & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Toshima (豊島区, 8 m elevation at 35.7333°N, 139.7167°E): Late March–early April for cherry blossoms; October–early December for crisp blue skies and golden ginkgo avenues; vibrant year-round indoors and out.

Wider sightseeing across Tokyo Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Gokoku Ji (1.5 km) in Toshima (豊島区) includes: 23 historic & futuristic special wards (Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza) plus leafy Western Tokyo Tama cities (Kichijoji/Musashino, Mitaka, Tachikawa, Hachioji/Mount Takao).

Practical Travel Tips for Toshima (豊島区)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Toshima: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) or Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km) for local bus schedules to Gokoku Ji (1.5 km) and walking maps of Toshima (豊島区).
• Cash & ATMs in Toshima: Convenience stores and major hotels around Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Gokoku Ji (1.5 km) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Toshima accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Toshima: Around Ikebukuro Station (池袋駅) (0.6 km) and neighboring Kita, Bunkyō, Shinjuku, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.