Top Five Pokemon Centers in Japan!
Bianca Bache
Pokรฉmon, also known as Pocket Monster ( ใใฑใใใขใณในใฟใผ), has become one of the most recognizable games and anime across the world. However, the most iconic part of this blockbuster franchise is the Pokemon Centers!
In-game, the Pokรฉmon Center is where you and your Pokemon can rest after battle. But in real life, it’s where you can go to get some awesome Pokรฉmon merchandise! Read more to find out where you can find the top five Pokรฉmon Centers in Japan!
Through the years, Pokรฉmon has evolved and branched out, think Trading Card Games, Pokรฉmon Go mobile games, and various merch. Pokรฉmon goodies and Pokรฉmon merch have blown up and almost become their own currency; with limited edition items, location-based exclusive items, and seasonal items, the demand for Pokรฉmon has grown!
Go beyond Pokรฉmon and explore all things Japanese pop culture! Check out TokyoTreat for your dose of Japan! TokyoTreat sends an exciting box of Japanese snacks, sweets, drinks, and more right to you from Japan!
The History of Pokemon Centers
The first official Pokรฉmon Japan Center opened on April 25, 1998, in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. However, just shy of its 10th anniversary, the store closed and reopened in a different location in April 2008 in Hamamatsu-cho, Tokyo.
It then closed and reopened in 2014, relocating from Hamamatsu-cho to its current location in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City Shopping Center. The Pokรฉmon Center Mega Tokyo (ใใฑใขใณใปใณใฟใผใกใฌใใฆใญใงใผ) is an absolutely sensational place to visit for Pokรฉmon lovers or casual fans! This store is called MEGA for a reason, it’s one of the largest Pokรฉmon Centers in Tokyo, it has an exclusive desserts shop called Pikachu Sweets, it’s the first official Pokรฉmon GO Lab, and Pokรฉmon Card Station!
What to Expect at Pokemon Centers
If you grew up watching Pokรฉmon, visiting a Pokรฉmon Center is a must-do. Luckily across Japan, there are a few locations to travel to! Japan has 16 Pokรฉmon Centers and six Pokรฉmon Stores to visit. Each store has slightly unique aspects, making visiting each store a new experience.
Firstly, each store has a mascot that greets guests at the entrance and unique merchandise that can only be bought in that location. Some stores also hold special events and have Pokรฉmon Trading Card Station stands where fans can participate in Pokรฉmon trading card games!
All things considered, there are two categories of Pokรฉmon shops: the Pokรฉmon Center, an official shop with Pokรฉmon items and services on a larger scale. And there are Pokรฉmon Stores on a smaller scale and focus on selling the more popular items from Pokรฉmon Centres.
Where are the Pokemon Centers in Japan?
The locations for the Pokรฉmon Centers are dotted around Japan, although there are concentrations in the main areas. There are seven Pokรฉmon Centers in Tokyo and two in Osaka. From the Northern to Southern Prefectures of Japan, here are the locations of the Pokรฉmon Centers:
Hokkaido & Tohoku
Daimaru, Sapporo
Sendai
Kanto
Tokyo DX
Nihombashi
Tokyo Mega
Tokyo-Bay
Shibuya
Skytree Town
Yokohama
Chubu
Nagoya
Kanazawa City
Kansai
Kyoto
Osaka DX
Osaka
Chugoku
Hiroshima
Kyushu & Okinawa
Fukuoka
Okinawa
Top Five Pokรฉmon Centers
In any case, itโs pretty overwhelming to pick the best Pokรฉmon Center in Japan. Luckily, you donโt have to choose which ones to go to! Weโve ranked the top Pokรฉmon Centers Locations in Japan for you!
1. Pokรฉmon Center Mega Tokyo
Tokyo Pokรฉmon Center Mega, located in Ikebukuroโs Sunshine City Mall, is one of the biggest stores in the world. If you imagined this store to be stocked with an amazing amount of Pokรฉmon merchandise, including unique Pokรฉmon Center plush, you’re right! You can also find collectible cards, boosters packs, Pokรฉ balls, and more here! In other words, this store really is the world of Pokรฉmon!
2. Pokรฉmon Center Shibuya
The Pokรฉmon Center Shibuya is located within the popular Shibuya Parco shopping mall, a bustling shopping center in central Tokyo. Specifically, this store is one of the newer Pokรฉmon Centers stores that recently opened in Japan.
For one thing, a major highlight of this store is its unique technology that showcases Pokรฉmon in fascinating ways. Undoubtedly, the biggest attraction for a mini photoshoot is the lifesize Mewtwo, which sits inside an incubator at the store’s entrance. Additionally, you get to see the Shibuya-only Graffiti Pikachu!
3. Pokรฉmon Center TOKYO DX
Generally, the Pokรฉmon Center Tokyo DX, located in Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C., is regarded as one of the most impressive stores yet! That’s because sitting at the entrance is the iconic Snorlax with adorable Pikachu and Mew perched on its shoulders! Once in the store, youโll see many Pokรฉmon products, such as plush toys and the latest Pokรฉmon video games like Sword and Shield. When you visit this Center, donโt forget to visit the Pokรฉmon Cafรฉ located next door!
4. Pokรฉmon Center SkyTree Town
Tokyo Skytree is a must-visit, not only for the Pokรฉmon Center but also for the iconic 360-degree views of Tokyo! But first and foremost, the Sky Pokรฉmon Center is truly an impressive store! Once you walk in, you’ll notice the enormous Rayquaza waiting at the entrance. That is to say, you won’t find this at any of the other Pokรฉmon Centers!
Rayquaza was specially chosen for SkyTree Tower because, just like the tower, the Rayquaza lives high in the sky! To commemorate your visit, don’t forget to also grab the exclusive plush toy of the Pikachu riding Rayquaza!
5. Pokรฉmon Center Okinawa
A surprising new addition to the must-visit Pokรฉmon Centers! The Okinawa Pokรฉmon Center recently opened in mid-2022 and is designed to resemble the beautiful nature of Okinawa. At the entrance, you are welcomed by the cute duo, Windie, and Pikachu! As a result, you can enjoy specialized Pokรฉmon video content and an area for Pokรฉmon Card Games.
Although debated, the best Pokรฉmon Centers to visit are mostly based in Tokyo; because of Tokyoโs tourism popularity, itโs easy to see why there are so many iconic stores. However, each Pokรฉmon Center across Japan has something unique and magical about them! So, if you can visit them, take the time to explore each location and see the exclusive products available from each location.
Not in Japan? No worries! The Pokรฉmon Center has an official Pokรฉmon Center online store where you can find merchandise and original items, such as Pokรฉmon TCG trading cards, and gather info about new Pokรฉmon ventures! To quote the legendary game, โGotta catch ’em all,โ or conversely, “Gotta visit ’em all!”
Why should I go to the Pokemon Centers?
All in all, visiting Pokรฉmon stores in Japan is an absolute treat for fans and enthusiasts alike. These stores offer a magical experience, immersing visitors in the vibrant world of Pokรฉmon. From adorable plush toys to exclusive merchandise, the stores undoubtedly provide an opportunity to find and collect unique treasures.
Finally, the vibrant displays and interactive elements create an atmosphere of joy and excitement. Pokรฉmon stores are not just shops but places of nostalgia where cherished childhood memories come to life. Whether you’re a long-time Pokรฉmon fan or new to the franchise, these stores offer everyone a fun and delightful adventure! Which Pokemon store is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
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Oh, exploring Pokemon Centers in Japan is an adventure every Pokemon enthusiast should embark on! ๐ฏ๐ต From Tokyo to Osaka, these centers are like havens for Pokemon lovers. Yet, if you ever find yourself stateside, don’t miss the chance to discover an incredible selection of Pokemon treasures at Larger Than Life Toys in New York. ๐๐