A new Pokemon-themed park has been unveiled in Tokyo, marking the first permanent installation of its kind. The park offers a range of attractions, including whimsical rides and a forested area where visitors can engage in the popular activity of “catching them all.”
This new park has quickly become a sought-after destination for tourists, particularly with the surge in international travelers to Japan. Tickets for the next two months are already sold out, indicating the park’s immense popularity.
PokePark Kanto, situated within Tokyo’s Yomiuri Land amusement park, welcomes guests with larger-than-life statues of iconic Pokemon characters like Pikachu. The Pokemon franchise, originating in 1996 with Nintendo’s Game Boy video games, has become a significant cultural export from Japan.
Drawing inspiration from the traditional Japanese pastime of collecting bugs in the summer, Pokemon games involve capturing and training various “pocket monsters” for battles. The franchise has since expanded globally, encompassing anime series, movies, a trading card game, and the widely popular “Pokemon Go” mobile app.
The park features two main sections: an expansive outdoor area adorned with Pokemon sculptures and a town area mirroring those found in the games, offering shopping and interactive rides. Access to the forested section requires visitors to climb 110 steps independently, as stated on the park’s website.
Despite a decline in Chinese visitors in December 2025 due to diplomatic tensions, Japan saw a record influx of tourists that year, highlighting the country’s enduring appeal. Universal Studios Japan in Osaka also announced plans for Pokemon-themed attractions in the near future, indicating the enduring popularity of the franchise.
