Japan opened the world’s first outdoor Pokémon theme park on 5 February, marking both the park’s debut and a milestone year for the franchise with grand celebrations.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Takeshi Mizoguchi, the president of Yomiuriland and PokéPark Kanto, said, ‘This month marks 30 years since Pokémon was born, and we welcome fans of the franchise visiting from all over Japan and the rest of the world.’
Pokémon, short for Pocket Monsters, is one of the world’s most successful entertainment franchises, spanning video games, trading cards, television series, films, toys, and mobile apps. In the Pokémon universe, creatures with different powers and personalities can be caught and trained by humans known as Trainers. The original concept, which was born in Japan, was inspired by children collecting insects and exploring nature. Today, more than 1,000 Pokémon species exist across games and media.
@bardh_g Poképark Kanto, Tokyo 🇯🇵 #pokemon #tokyo #japan ♬ original sound – Bardh
Spanning parts of both Tokyo and neighbouring Kanagawa Prefecture, the 26,000 sqm PokéPark Kanto attraction, developed under the supervision of The Pokémon Company, sits within Yomiuriland, around half an hour from central Tokyo.
The park is divided into two main areas. The first is the Pokémon Forest, an extensive nature trail populated by over 600 life-size Pokémon replicas. The second area, Sedge Town, recreates a bustling Pokémon hub complete with shops, attractions, and entertainment.
In the forest area, visitors can explore wooded paths, hills, tunnels and rocky trails while spotting Pokémon in an environment designed to resemble their natural habitat.
A highlight of Sedge Town is the ‘Pika Pika Sparks!’ show at the Sedge Gym, where live performances bring Pokémon battles to life on stage. Visitors can also enjoy exclusive merchandise, themed food and drink options, and two family rides: Pika Pika Paradise, a flying attraction centred on Pikachu and electric-type Pokémon; and the carousel-style Vee Vee Voyage, inspired by Eevee.
There is a festive atmosphere throughout the day, with scheduled meet-and-greet sessions with Pikachu and Eevee, as well as mini parades at the Pokémon Playhouse. Visitors can collect commemorative medals and Poké Lids via the park’s app.
And, true to the franchise’s famous slogan ’Gotta catch ’em all!’, Pokémon GO players can catch Pokémon throughout the park grounds, including rare Shiny variants.
@_yh.yhh 도쿄에 문을 연 세계 최초 포켓몬 테마파크 도쿄 요미우리랜드에 새롭게 오픈한 ‘PokéPark KANTO’는 포켓몬 세계를 현실에서 직접 탐험하는 듯한 공식 체험형 테마파크다. 600마리가 넘는 포켓몬을 테마로 한 다양한 구역이 펼쳐지며, 자연 속을 걷는 ‘포켓몬 포레스트’와 캐릭터 중심의 ‘카야츠리 타운’ 등 트레이너와 포켓몬이 함께 어울리는 공간들을 직접 걸으며 즐길 수 있다. 단순히 보는 전시가 아니라, 공간 자체를 걸으며 체험하는 방식이라 몰입감이 확실하다. 입장 전에는 PokéPark KANTO 전용 앱 설치 후 티켓 등록이 필수이며, 일본 전용 앱이라 현장 와이파이 연결 후 세팅하는 것을 추천한다. _PokéPark Kanto ポケパーク カントー _Japan 〒206-8725 Tokyo, Inagi, Tama Ward, Yanokuchi, 4015-1 よみうりランド遊園地内 _10:00 ~ 18:00 (매일) _예약 후 방문 / PokéPark KANTO, newly opened at Yomiuriland in Tokyo, is an official immersive theme park where you can explore the Pokémon world in real life. With over 600 Pokémon-themed zones, including the nature-filled Pokémon Forest and the character-centered Kayatsuri Town, visitors walk through and experience the space rather than just viewing it, making the experience highly interactive and engaging. Before entry, you must install the PokéPark KANTO app and register your ticket. Since it’s a Japan-only app, connecting to the park’s Wi-Fi on site is recommended. #포켓몬 #도쿄 #pokemon #tokyo #tokyotravel ♬ 오리지널 사운드 – 공간기록자
Early demand suggests that the park may quickly become one of Japan’s major new attractions, with advance and lottery-based ticket sales already sold out until early April.
Prices are similar to those at Tokyo Disneyland.
There are three types of pass available: the Ace Trainer Pass, which offers unlimited access to both areas for visitors aged 13 and over and costs ¥14,000 (about €90); the Trainer Pass, which grants timed entry to both zones and costs ¥7,900 (about €50); and the Town Pass, which allows entry to Sedge Town only and costs ¥4,700 (about €30).
As with many Japanese theme parks, securing tickets requires advance planning due to high demand. International visitors can typically book via the official website through a lottery system around three months in advance or purchase remaining tickets on a first-come, first-served basis around two months before their visit.
Please note that children under five and guests with reduced mobility cannot access the Pokémon Forest, as the 500 m trail requires guests to climb 110 steps and is not wheelchair-friendly.
