Ikebukuro is centered on Ikebukuro Station in Toshimaku, Tokyo, and is one of the three major auxiliary centers in central Tokyo's western area, alongside Shinjuku and Shibuya. In the west exit of Ikebukuro Station and east exit, the downtown area spreads, and large department stores, specialty stores and restaurants sprawl out from the station.

The west exit includes Tobu Department Store, Lumine Ikebukuro and Tokyo Art Theatre; also on the west side is the famous Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park, where many people gather in order to play PokemonGo.

The east exit includes Seibu Department Store, Ikebukuro Parco and Sunshine City, which has the Sunshine 60 skyscraper which stands out on the Tokyo cityscape, not to mention the newly-built Toshima Ward Office. The area also has a smaller Otaku area, gathering Anime and Cosplay fans.