Discover 'Animate Street': Tokyo's Newest Destination for Anime Lovers!
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Animate Street: A New Name for a Well-Loved Tokyo Locale
Home to Animate's flagship store, recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest anime store in the world, Toshima Ward in Tokyo has officially renamed Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-chome Street to Animate Street as of March 3, 2025.
Image courtesy of Animate Ltd.
Community Input Drives the Change
This new designation highlights the vibrant anime, manga, and game culture flourishing in the area. Original input from locals played a critical role in settling on a name that resonated with the community. According to a statement from Toshima Ward, they noted:
“With input from locals, we decided on a familiar, approachable name.”
Celebrating the Announcement
Here’s what Toshima Ward announced on Twitter:
<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="ja">□─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─<br/> 東池袋１丁目の区道通称名を<br/>「アニメイト通り」に設定しました<br/>─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─□<br/>地域の方々の声により、<br/>親しみやすい名称が決まりました✨<br/><br/>今後も地元の皆さまと地域に愛される<br/>道路づくりを進めてまいります<br/><br/>▼詳細<a href="https://t.co/K2NQSABuQZ">https://t.co/K2NQSABuQZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/HyzV3zvmXC">pic.twitter.com/HyzV3zvmXC</a></p>— 豊島区 (@city_toshima) <a href="https://twitter.com/city_toshima/status/1896456509611237382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2025</a> </blockquote> </center>More to Explore
Alongside this name change, the ward also provided a map and photographs of Animate Street, marking its prominent locations. Here are some visuals:
Image via Toshima City
Image via Toshima City
Image via Toshima City
A Long-Term Commitment
Since 1990, Toshima Ward has actively renamed roads to enhance familiarity for residents and visitors. This initiative aims to create meaningful guideposts that celebrate local culture.
Akihabara Joins the Trend
In related news, Akihabara, another iconic shopping district in Tokyo, has embraced its pop culture identity by designating the Central Gate at the Japan Railways Akihabara station as the Yostar Gate, effective April 1, 2024. A Yostar Official Shop has now opened right outside this gate.
Conclusion
As communities embrace their cultural identities, the renaming of streets like Animate Street reflects an evolving landscape that celebrates local voices and passions. For more updates on this and other community initiatives, you can explore the Toshima Ward website.