by Anime and manga fans visiting Tokyo this summer will have a new way to explore one of Japan’s biggest pop culture destinations. The Manga Anime Toshima Project Executive Committee, together with Toshima City (formerly Toshima Ward), has announced the first-ever “Ikebukuro Manga Anime Weeks 2026 Toshima Digital Stamp Rally.”
The event will run from August 1 to August 16, 2026, inviting participants to travel across Ikebukuro and the historic Tokiwa-so district while collecting digital stamps at famous anime, manga, shopping, and cultural landmarks.
As one of the centerpiece events of Ikebukuro Manga Anime Weeks 2026, the rally aims to encourage visitors to discover the area’s rich anime culture, support local businesses, and experience the neighborhoods that have played an important role in Japan’s manga history.
What Is Ikebukuro Manga Anime Weeks 2026?
Ikebukuro Manga Anime Weeks 2026 is a citywide celebration dedicated to anime, manga, gaming, and Japanese pop culture.
Centered around Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo’s most famous anime districts, the festival brings together retailers, entertainment venues, museums, and cultural institutions through a variety of special events, exhibitions, shopping campaigns, and interactive experiences.
The Digital Stamp Rally serves as the festival’s flagship activity, encouraging visitors to explore both well-known attractions and hidden gems throughout Toshima City.
How the Digital Stamp Rally Works
Participation in the event is completely free.
Visitors simply travel to participating locations and collect digital stamps using their smartphones.
The more stamps participants collect, the more rewards they can earn.
By visiting the designated rally spots, participants can:
- Collect digital stamps at participating locations.
- Earn points throughout the event.
- Receive exclusive original stickers based on the number of stamps collected.
- Enter a prize lottery for a chance to win special gifts.
The event is designed for visitors of all ages, making it an enjoyable activity for anime fans, families, tourists, and residents alike.
Explore 16 Manga and Anime Destinations
The rally features 16 official checkpoint locations, divided between two of Toshima City’s most iconic areas.
Ikebukuro Area (11 Locations)
Visitors can collect stamps at:
- Animate Ikebukuro Main Store
- GiGO Ikebukuro Main Store
- Grand Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro
- Sunshine City
- Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store
- Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro
- Ikebukuro PARCO
- Hareza Ikebukuro
- Bic Camera Ikebukuro Main Store
- Bic Camera Ikebukuro West Exit IT Tower Store
- Anime Tokyo Station
These locations represent some of Japan’s most popular destinations for anime merchandise, gaming, entertainment, shopping, and themed attractions.
Tokiwa-so Area (5 Locations)
Participants can also visit the historic birthplace of modern manga culture by collecting stamps at:
- Tokiwa-so Manga Museum
- Tokiwa-so Street Rest Area
- Tokiwa-so Manga Museum Salon
- Tokiwa-so Street Showa Retro Museum (Toshima City Showa Historical and Cultural Memorial Museum)
- Tokiwa-so Manga Station
The Tokiwa-so district is widely recognized as one of the most important locations in manga history, having been home to legendary creators including Osamu Tezuka, Fujiko F. Fujio, Shotaro Ishinomori, and many other influential artists during the early years of Japan’s manga industry.
Walking Map Helps Fans Explore the City
Throughout the event, organizers will distribute the Ikebukuro Manga Anime Weeks 2026 Walking Map.
The free guide includes:
- Rally checkpoint locations
- Nearby anime and manga shops
- Museums
- Entertainment facilities
- Restaurants
- Tourist attractions
- Recommended walking routes
The map is designed to help visitors enjoy the city’s anime culture beyond the official rally locations, encouraging exploration of local businesses and lesser-known attractions.
Special Exhibition at the Tokiwa-so Manga Museum
As part of the festival, the Tokiwa-so Manga Museum will also host a special exhibition beginning on August 8, 2026.
Although details about the exhibition have yet to be fully announced, visitors participating in the stamp rally will have an opportunity to experience both the museum’s permanent displays and its seasonal exhibition during the event period.
The museum itself recreates the famous Tokiwa-so apartment building where many legendary manga artists lived and worked, offering fans a unique glimpse into the origins of Japan’s manga industry.
More Than a Stamp Rally
While collecting stamps and earning prizes is the main attraction, the event is also designed to promote Toshima City’s growing reputation as one of Japan’s leading destinations for anime tourism.
By connecting shopping centers, museums, cinemas, gaming facilities, and cultural landmarks, the organizers hope visitors will experience how anime and manga continue to shape the identity of Ikebukuro and the surrounding neighborhoods.
The initiative also supports local businesses by encouraging participants to spend more time exploring the area during the busy summer tourism season.
Things to Know Before Participating
Before joining the Digital Stamp Rally, visitors should keep the following in mind:
- Participation is free of charge.
- A smartphone is required to collect digital stamps.
- Some participating facilities may have regular closing days or adjusted business hours.
- Visitors should check each venue’s operating schedule before planning their route.
- Original stickers and lottery entries are awarded based on the number of stamps collected.
Planning will help participants maximize the number of locations they can visit during the event period.
Why Anime Fans Should Visit
Ikebukuro has become one of Japan’s premier destinations for anime enthusiasts, rivaling districts like Akihabara with its extensive collection of anime stores, themed cafés, arcades, cinemas, and entertainment complexes.
By combining modern anime culture with the historic legacy of Tokiwa-so, Ikebukuro Manga Anime Weeks 2026 offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience both the past and present of Japan’s manga and anime industry.
Whether you’re hunting for exclusive merchandise at Animate, exploring Sunshine City, discovering the birthplace of legendary manga creators at the Tokiwa-so Manga Museum, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of one of Tokyo’s most vibrant neighborhoods, the Digital Stamp Rally provides an engaging way to experience it all.
With 16 rally locations, exclusive rewards, special exhibitions, and citywide celebrations, the first-ever Ikebukuro Manga Anime Weeks 2026 Digital Stamp Rally is set to become one of the highlights of Tokyo’s anime event calendar this summer.
