Top Five Pokémon Centers in Japan!
Bianca Bache
Pokémon, also known as Pocket Monster ( ポケットモンスター) has become one of the most recognizable games and anime across the world. One of the most iconic locations in the series is the Pokémon Center. In-game, the Pokémon Center is where you and your Pokemon can rest up after battle. But in real life, it’s where you can go to get some awesome Pokémon merchandise! Read more to find out where you can find the top five Pokémon Centers in Japan!
Through the years Pokémon has evolved and branched out, think Trading Card Games, Pokémon Go mobile game, and various merch. Pokémon goodies and Pokémon merch have blown up and almost become their own currency, with limited edition items, location based exclusive items and seasonal items, the demand for Pokémon has grown!
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The History of Pokemon Centers
The first official Pokémon Japan Center opened on April 25, 1998, in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. However, just shy of its 10-year anniversary, the store closed and reopened in a different location in April 2008 in Hamamatsu-cho, Tokyo.
It then closed and reopened again in 2014, this time relocating from Hamamatsu-cho to its current location in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City Shopping Center. The Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo (ポケモンセンターメガトウキョー) is an absolute sensational place to visit for Pokémon lovers or casual fans! This store is called MEGA for a reason, it’s one of the largest Pokémon Centers in Tokyo, it has an exclusive desserts shop called Pikachu Sweets, it’s the first official Pokémon GO Lab, and Pokémon Card Station!
What to Expect at Pokémon Centers
If you grew up watching Pokémon, then visiting a Pokémon Center is an absolute must-do. Luckily across Japan there are a few locations to travel to! In Japan there are 16 Pokémon Centers and six Pokémon 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 particular location. Some stores also hold special events and have Pokémon Trading Card Station stands where fans can take part in Pokémon trading card games!
There are two categories of Pokémon shops to visit: the Pokémon Center, which is an official shop that has Pokémon items and services on a larger-scale. And there are Pokémon Stores which are on a smaller-scale and focus on selling the more popular items from Pokémon Centres.
Japan’s Pokemon Center Locations
The locations for the Pokémon Centers are dotted around Japan, although there are concentrations in the main areas. There are seven Pokémon Centers in Tokyo, and two in Osaka. From the Northern to Southern Prefectures of Japan, here are the locations of the Pokémon 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 Pokémon Centers
It’s pretty overwhelming trying to pick the best Pokémon Centers to visit in Japan. Luckily for you, you don’t have to figure out which ones to go to! We’ve ranked the top Pokémon Centers Locations in Japan for you!
1. Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
Tokyo Pokémon Center Mega, located in Ikebukuro’s 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 Pokémon merchandise including unique Pokémon Center plush you’re right! You can find collectible cards, boosters packs, Poké balls, and so much more here! This store really is the world of Pokémon!
2. Pokémon Center Shibuya
The Pokémon Center Shibuya is located within the popular Shibuya Parco shopping mall, a bustling shopping center in central Tokyo. This store is one of the newer Pokémon Centers stores that recently opened in Japan.
A major highlight of this store is that it features distinctively unique technology that showcases Pokémon in fascinating ways. The biggest attraction that warrants a mini photoshoot would be the lifesize Mewtwo which sits inside an incubator right at the entrance of the store. But beyond that you get to see the Shibuya only Graffiti Pikachu!
3. Pokémon Center TOKYO DX
The Pokémon Center Tokyo DX located in Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. is regarded as one of the most impressive stores yet! Sitting at the entrance is none other than the iconic Snorlax with adorable Pikachu and Mew perched on its shoulders! Once you’re in store you’ll see a huge range of Pokémon products such as plush toys and the latest Pokémon video games like Sword and Shield. When you visit this Center don’t forget to visit the Pokémon Café located next door!
4. Pokémon Center SkyTree Town
Tokyo Skytree is a must visit, not only for the Pokémon Center, but also for the iconic 360-degree views of Tokyo! But first and foremost, the Sky Pokémon Center is truly an impressive store! Once you walk in, you’ll notice the enormous Rayquaza waiting at the entrance. You won’t find this at any of the other Pokémon Centers!
Rayquaza was specifically chosen for SkyTree Tower because, just like the tower, the Rayquaza lives high in the sky! To commemorate your visit don’t forget to grab the exclusive plush toy of the Pikachu riding Rayquaza!
5. Pokémon Center Okinawa
A surprising new addition to the must-visit Pokémon Centers! The Okinawa Pokémon 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! You can enjoy specialized Pokémon video content and an area for Pokémon Card Games.
Although debated, the best Pokémon Centers to visit are mostly based in Tokyo, because of Tokyo’s tourism popularity it’s easy to see why there are so many iconic stores there. However, each Pokémon Center across Japan has something unique and magical about them! So, if you have the opportunity to visit them, take the time to explore each location and see the exclusive products available from each location.
Not in Japan? No worries! The Pokémon Center has an official Pokémon Center online store where you can find original items, Pokémon TCG trading cards, and gather info about new Pokémon ventures!
To quote the legendary game “Gotta catch ’em all” or better yet, Gotta visit ’em all!
Tokyo based writer that's very enthusiastic about snacks, treats and all things sweet!
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