The Pokémon lover’s guide to Tokyo

If there’s only one Pokémon Center in Tokyo you should visit, it’s got to be the one at Shibuya Parco. Your one-stop shop for all your pocket monster needs, the centre is conveniently located on Shibuya Parco’s geeked-out Cyberspace floor. The centre is more than just your average store, too. At the entrance, you’ll find a life-size Mewtwo hibernating in a tank and other cool displays that make it feel as if you're inside Professor Willow’s lab. Inside, you can stock up on Pokémon plushies, collectable cards, beauty products and even special Shibuya-exclusive items such as Pokémon skateboards and streetwear.

Die-hard Pokémon fans will want to have at least one meal at Nihonbashi’s Pokémon Café. Outfitted with all your favourite characters, the café serves up an adorable selection of Pokémon-themed dishes such as Pikachu curry, Snorlax lunch sets, Eevee chocolate parfaits and Pokéball dessert bowls. The special drinks are also a hot ticket item, including colourful cream sodas topped with character cookies, or Pokémon lattes digitally printed with your choice of character on top. You’ll also be in for a treat as a life-sized Pikachu makes an appearance during each seating, often dressed as a chef or waiter.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the Pikachu Sweets shop is a must-visit for some tasty souvenirs. You’ll find the takeaway sweets shop in Ikebukuro near the Sunshine City Pokémon Centre outlet. Just a few of the lip-smacking items available include Pikachu cupcakes, baumkuchen cake slices showcasing Pikachu's various evolutions, and lattes featuring adorable Pokémon artwork on each and every cup. Special merchandise is also on sale, including Pikachu keychains and plush Pikachu and Eevee drink sleeves.

Pokémon manhole covers have been popping up all across Japan. Kyoto has some, Nara has some, and Tokyo’s Serigaya Park in Machida even has a set of its own. Known as Pokéfuta, the manhole covers are a collaborative project between the Pokémon Company and local tourism groups, aimed at boosting tourism in lesser known destinations around the country. In Tokyo, you’ll find six Pokéfuta with images of first generation Pokémon including Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Poliwag, Oddish, Weedle, Caterpie, Pidgey and Rattata. But if you want to catch a glimpse of Mew, you’ll have to head to Tokyo’s subtropical Ogasawara Islands. The official website even has a handy map showing you all the Pokéfuta scattered throughout Japan.

You’ll be dreaming of Pokémon all night long when you stay at this Pokémon-themed guest room. You’ll find the rooms at Mimaru hotels in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, and they’re completely decked out with pocket monster gear including a giant plush Snorlax that doubles as a snuggle buddy. Guests will also receive special Pokemon-themed gifts upon check-in including an original drawstring bag, a welcome card and two hand towels. Mimaru is an apartment-style hotel, so the special room is also outfitted with a full kitchen and Pokémon tableware, too. A stay at the Mimaru Tokyo Ueno East location starts at ¥39,900 for one night and can accommodate up to six people.

This massive Pokémon festival usually takes place every summer down in Tokyo’s neighbouring city of Yokohama. Although the event was cancelled last year due to Covid-19, we’re crossing our fingers that it will return this summer. The festival is basically a massive Pokémon takeover with Pikachu, the face of the franchise, plastered all over Yokohama’s Minato Mirai area. Highlights include performances, a stamp rally, and, of course, the famous parade where you'll see an army of giant Pikachus and Eevees marching down the streets.

Although this is technically not in Tokyo, it should definitely be on your radar if you’re a hardcore Pokémon fan. One of Japan’s many novelty locomotives, this two-car train is themed after the franchise’s most popular character, Pikachu, and runs year-round from Ichinoseki to Kesennuma stations in Tochigi prefecture. Hop aboard the first car and you’ll find reserved seating along with Pikachu motifs on the seats, floor and even the curtains. The second car is for the kids in tow and features a spacious yellow play area with a giant plush version of Pikachu. Tickets for the train start from ¥420 and can be reserved online here.