Stanza III Program Guide - Ikspiari

[D Hulk]

STANZA III PROGRAM GUIDE
IKSPIARI

Ikspiari is an upscale shopping mall with restaurants and a multiplex. It is Tokyo Disney Resort’s equivalent to Disney Springs or Downtown Disney. It was added in 2000 as part of the resort’s DisneySea expansion.

Incidentally, “Ikspiari” is a Japanese portmanteau meaning “experience” and “fairy.”

Ikspiari is located close to the JR Maihama Station (Tokyo MTA) and the Monorail’s Resort Gateway Station. Most day guests to Tokyo Disney Resort arrive at the Maihama Station, where the pathway forks east to the Resort Gateway Station (Monorail) and then Ikspiari, or west towards Tokyo Disneyland.

Guests staying at Disney Ambassador Hotel must pass on foot through Ikspiari to reach the resort Monorail. Guests staying at either the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel near Tokyo Disneyland or the Hotel MiraCosta near Tokyo DisneySea are unlikely to ever step foot in the remotely-located Ikspiari, as both parks and all other resort amenities can be accessed directly either by foot or Monorail.​

 

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LAYOUT
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Like many shopping malls, Ikspiari has a stacked and compact layout. There is the main pedestrian access level, with three floors above it and a basement level below. Navigation can be confusing, with multiple dead ends, hard-to-find escalator wells, and a parking garage totally cutting off the ground level pedestrian thoroughfare.


Ikspiari walk-through

Writing for Touringplans.com, Guy Selga says of Ikspiari’s layout:

"Ikspiari is a giant and confusing labyrinth; even after many visits we still find it difficult to navigate and find what we are looking for."

 

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DINING
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Ikspiari’s present dining offerings include:
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• 12 Japanese restaurants
• 15 Western-style restaurants (all European and North American cuisines are categorized together in Japan)
• 5 Asian restaurants (non-Japanese)
• 2 bars
• 10 cafes / coffee shops
• 10 bakeries / candy shops
• A food court called Ikspiari Kitchen
• A Seijo Ishii supermarket

Ikspiari’s most noteworthy eateries include an Ippudo ramen chain, Tsukiji Tamasushi sushi, Tonkatsu Wako, plus a T.G.I. Friday’s, a Red Lobster, an Outback Steakhouse, and the ubiquitous Rainforest Café.​

 

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RETAIL
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Ikspiari’s retail offerings include:
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• 31 fashion shops (including high-end and affordable brands)
• 26 accessory shops
• 8 jewelry stores
• 16 hobby & household goods shops
• 12 health & beauty stores

Of these, the Disney Store is undoubtedly the biggest draw. Familiar and noteworthy brands include a Gap, Diesel, Tommy Hilfiger, and places with wonderfully Japanese names like Go! Go! Laundry!

In addition, Cinema Ikspiari offers 16 screens. It is located on the 2nd floor at the furthest point from Maihama Station.​

 

[D Hulk]

Compared to the revamped Disney Springs, Ikspiari is not quite up-to-par with the rest of the celebrated Tokyo Disney Resort. Nonetheless, it remains a popular retreat for local park guests. Speaking from personal visits, Ikspiari holds almost no tourist appeal. Its location is out-of-the-way, and its shops and restaurants cannot offer the same experience as their in-park equivalents. Ikspiari has nothing to distinguish itself from any other Tokyo shopping mall, and nothing like the themed environments or entertainment of Disney Springs.

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Further Reading on Ikspiari
Ikspiari Official Website
Japan Guide
Chris’s Tokyo Disney Resort Fan Site
Touring Plans

 

[Voxel]

Side Note. I don't know about you @D Hindley but I found Ikspiari both Overwhelming and Underwhelming at the same time.

- I Just read your last sentence. Hell I found many Malls in Tokyo and Japan alot more elaborate and fun than Ikspiari.