#Japan #Tokyo #Ikebukuro #Edogawa Ranpo #Ranpo Festival

Excitement Awaits at the Toshima Ranpo Festival 2025

The Toshima Ranpo Festival kicks off on May 15, 2025, celebrating the reopening of the historic Edogawa Ranpo residence. With support from the Toshima Ward, Rikkyo University, and Tobu Department Store, this festival promises an immersive experience in the world of mystery and literature.

Spanning across multiple venues, including the Rikkyo University Ikebukuro Campus and the Tobu Department Store, the festival will venture into the heart of Ikebukuro’s western district. Participants will assume the role of newspaper reporters investigating intriguing mysteries, engaging in various interactive attractions, guided tours, talk shows, and bibliobattles led by students.

Festival Highlights

A highlight of the event will be a press conference exclusive to media at the newly renovated Edogawa Ranpo residence, offering a glimpse into the mysteries contained within its walls. Here’s a sneak peek into some of the attractions:

Mystery Fair at Tobu Department Store

Head to the 12th floor of Tobu Department Store for the Truth Revelation Exhibition, where unsolved cases will be displayed. Participate in the Free Mystery Goods Experience, featuring activities based on famous mysteries, including the Kindaichi Case Files jewel theft incident.

Event Dates and Times:

• - Kindaichi Jewel Theft: May 17, 13:30 & 16:30.
• - Unsolved Files: Jack the Ripper Photo Series: May 18, 13:30 & 16:30.
• - Kanojo, Okarishimasu Romance Mystery: May 24, 13:30 & 16:30.

Art Exhibit: Eureka Forest

Discover unique works that blend art and puzzle-solving from the masked artist collective Eureka Forest, which debuted its work at the National Art Center, Tokyo in April 2023.

Exhibition Dates: May 15 - May 24.

*Interactive Mystery Event: Edogawa Ranpo’s Black Lizard**

Enjoy a theatrical reading of Black Lizard, then embark on a mystery-solving adventure using the clues provided.

Event Location: Tobu Department Store, 14th Floor, Banquet Hall.
Date and Time: May 24, 16:00 & May 31, 12:00.
Admission: Adults: ¥2,000 | Children: ¥1,000.
Limited to 20 participants per session.

Mystery Curry Sale

Buy mystery-themed curry packs, each containing 3 retort curry bags valued over ¥1,080.

Mystery Walks around Ikebukuro

Experience the IKEBUS, where riddles and clues await. Attend the Mysterious Walk, a guided exploration of the area’s urban legends.

Event Dates: May 15 - June 30, free entry with download of the audio guide.

Edogawa Ranpo Day at Rikkyo University

Celebrate Edogawa Ranpo at Rikkyo University with exclusive access to his former residence on May 18 before the public opening on May 19. The highlights on this day include:

• - Screenings of Detective Conan: The Murder Case at Ranpo House, followed by a talk with the scriptwriter.
• - A bibliobattle featuring students discussing Ranpo’s works.
• - A symposium examining Ranpo's involvement in wartime community activities and the historical materials he preserved.

Thematic Culinary Experiences

Food trucks will offer themed dishes like Twenty Faces Anmitsu* and a special curry that Ranpo supposedly enjoyed.

Join us for this unique cultural journey, where literature, mystery, and local history intertwine in a celebration of one of Japan's most renowned mystery writers.