By train
Ikebukuro is served by the JR Yamanote, Saikyo and Shonan-Shinjuku lines. The Super View Odoriko ã¹ã¼ãã¼ãã¥ã¼è¸ãå Limited Express service departs each morning for Atami, Ito and Shimoda, and returns in the afternoon.
Two private railway lines start from Ikebukuro. The Seibu Ikebukuro Line has departures for Tokorozawa, Irumashi and Hanno, with Chichibu ã¡ã¡ã¶ Limited Express trains running all the way to the national park in Chichibu. The Tobu Tojo Line runs trains to Kawagoe and Ogawamachi.
By Subway
The Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line starts here, and the Yurakucho Line for Ginza, Shin-Kiba and Wakoshi stops here. The Fukutoshin Line connects Ikebukuro to Shinjuku and Shibuya, paralleling the Yamanote Line.
Both the Yurakucho and Fukutoshin subway lines offer through-runs to the Seibu Ikebukuro and Tobu Tojo lines at Kotake-Mukaihara and Wakoshi stations, respectively.
By plane
The fastest way to get from Narita Airport to Ikebukuro is to take a Keisei Skyliner train to Nippori and change to a JR Yamanote Line train. This takes about 60 minutes and costs ¥2560. JR's Narita Express makes many runs to Ikebukuro, but they take longer 95 minutes and cost more ¥3110, although for foreigners the cost can be brought down by purchasing a Suica & N'EX ticket. Some Narita Express trains terminate at Shinjuku and do not continue to Ikebukuro, in which case you'll need to take a Narita Express to Shibuya. Once there, simply wait on the same platform for the next commuter train that will bring you to Ikebukuro in two stops.
The budget option is to take the Keisei Line limited express from Narita Airport to Nippori, and change there to the Yamanote line 95 minutes, ¥1160. During the evening hours, faster Access Tokkyu commuter trains from Narita Airport to Nippori shave 20 minutes off the overall travel time against a ¥200 additional fare.
Airport Limousine buses also make runs from Narita Airport to Ikebukuro's Hotel Metropolitan and Sunshine City Prince Hotel, the latter located right next to the Sunshine 60 tower and shopping complex about 2 hours, ¥3000.
From Haneda Airport to Ikebukuro, take the Keikyu Railway to Shinagawa and change to the JR Yamanote Line 55 minutes, ¥650. Limousine Buses run from Haneda to the same hotels mentioned above about one hour, ¥1200.