I add to this all the time but here are all of the places I recomend visiting if someone in your house is a massive Pokémon fan and you are visiting Japan.
Download the Pokémon app!
Clearly, this isn’t a must but if your kids are in to hunting for Pokemon, then … you’re literally going to be in the home of the Pokemon !!!!
Make sure you have your PokémonGo app ready to go ! Sometimes when using it in a new country you will need to reset the app before it will work (tip: there are lots and lots of Pokemon to find in Sunshine City Ikebukuro.)
Book one of the Pokémon Cafes!
Pokémon cafes are one of the most difficult places to get a reservation in Japan (followed closely by the Ghibli Museum.)*Please note that the Pokemon Cafe has ZERO gluten free options.
Please note that the Pokemon Cafe in Tokyo will be closed for renovations from March -late June 2026.
So I wanted to share some tips to help you plan and reserve the Pokémon Cafe in Japan in advance:
1. Reservations on weekends and national holidays (such as golden week) are even trickier than normal. Plan around these dates where possible.
2. The Osaka branch of the cafe is easier to book than the Tokyo branch. If you are visiting both cities, try and adjust accordingly.
3. Some people swear by paying for a third party booking service (such as VIP Pokémon Cafe Booking) to arrange the tickets for you.Please do your research and make sure the sites are legitimate. There is also another company called Little Circle 100 that can make reservations on your behalf.
If you miss out on Pokémon Cafe seats:
1. Remember that the food at the cafe is cute to look at but doesn’t actually taste good (character or themed cafes rarely do.)
2. You can try your luck and go to the cafe before it opens to see if that have any vacancies or cancellations (although this is risky business)
3. Think outside the box and go for other Pokémon themed options. For example, Pokémon Sweets in Ikebukuro offers take out and the desserts are all Pokémon themed. I also recommend visiting the Pokémon Cafe in Tokyo anyway as the merchandise store there is big and that section of Sunshine City Department Store has lots of Pokémon decorations and statues.
4. There is some Pokémonmerch sold at Pokémon Shops in Character Street underneath Tokyo Station.
5. Please note that there used to be a Pokemon Store on the 4th floor of Narita Airport Terminal 2 – but it moved to Terminal 1 on Jan 27th, 2025. It is now in Narita Airport Terminal 1, 4th floor of the South Wing.
If you are travelling outside of the main cities and want to find the Pokémon manhole covers (referred to as Pokelids), see the full list of where to go in Japan here.
Book a stay at a Pokémon themed room in Osaka!
I also highly recommend staying in a Pokémon themed room at MIMARU Osaka Namba North! These rooms have been recently renovated and themed to Pokémon. It’s also in a very kid-friendly area with lots of sightseeing and dining options for families nearby. Read in detail about my stay at MIMARU Osaka Namba North here.
This is at MIMARU Namba North. How cool is this?! And there are bunks on the other side of the living room section too! ©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Book at stay at a Pokémon themed room in Tokyo!
Tokyo also has pokemon room options!
See here for information on booking a Pokémon themed hotel room.
Go to the new PokePark!
This is brand new so not the easiest place to get tickets for.
Go Pokémon card shopping!
Where to buy pokemon cards in Japan
PLEASE NOTE: I’m actually giggling a bit as I type this but I do sometimes get messages from people who are surprised that their Pokémon cards are in Japanese. Yes. It’s Japan. So they will be in Japanese.
Where to buy pokemon cards in Shinjuku
For the best option, from Shinjuku, take the train for 5 mins to Nakano Station on the Chuo Line and walk for 350 metres to Nakano Broadway. The second floor of the Nakano Broadway Mall has a Mandarake store – in here you can find binders and binders of cheap Pokémon cards – and you can choose the cards you need!
Where to buy pokemon cards in Shibuya
There is a store called Card Kingdom in Shibuya that you may also like to check out. Please note that there can be a premium to pay at these types of specialty stores.
The Pokémon centres (listed below) have booster card pack cases (the type that people collect but never option.). The cards at the Pokemon Centres in Japan are sold behind the counters.
Most 7-Eleven stores in Japan booster packs of the current series – usually placed and sold on the counter. There is a 2 pack per person limit at most places (although some 7-Elevens will be more relaxed and let you buy 5.)
Where to buy pokemon cards in Akihabara?
Bic Camera in Akihabara also sell Pokémon cards as does the Akihabara branch of Card Kingdom. Please note that there can be a premium to pay at these types of specialty stores like Card Kingdom though.
If you ever wanted to find a random computer piece from a computer you had in the 90s? This is your place!
This is also a good place to see new electronics or the newest models of tvs or phones or home goods etc (it’s expensive because it’s the latest -but still cool to look at, right?). Start by checking out the big electronic stores and also Yodobashi Camera shopping mall.
There are also 24 hour pokemon card vending machines in Akihabara!
Also, while in Bic Camera or Yodobashi Camera stores all over Japan, you may like to look for Nintendo Amiibo.
I must admit that I know NOTHING about Amiibo. However, my son always tells me that the Amibo selection in Japan is way better than other countries. If you are amiibo “shopping” then I recommend first going to your closest Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera. Toys R Us Japan also has a good selection of Amiibo.
Where to buy Pokemon cards in Ikebukuro?
Sunshine City Shopping Mall in Ikebukuro have a dedicated Pokémon cards store! It is called Pokémon Card Station Mega Tokyo. Please note that there can be a premium to pay at these types of specialty stores.
Where to buy pokemon cards in Osaka?
If you are looking for Pokémon cards in Osaka, I recommend visiting DenDen town in Nipponbashi as well as the Pokémon Center DX store above JR Osaka Station (it is on the 13th floor.)
There are also some pokemon card vending machines in Osaka Station.
Toys R Us in Japan (google “Toys R Us near me” for the closest option) almost always sell Pokémon cards.
As do Yellow Submarine stores (google “Yellow Submarine near me” for the closest option)
Go Shopping at the Pokémon Centers (stores)!
The Pokémon Store DX store near Tokyo Station requires a reservation ahead of time. They also sell limited edition Pikachu stuffed toys.
The Pokémon Stores DX in Osaka and Kyoto also sell limited edition Pikachu stuffed toys. (The Pokemon Center Store DX in Osaka is just above JR Osaka Station (it is on the 13th floor.)
The Pokémon Store DX in Shibuya does not require a reservation but it is the most crowded.
*All of these stores offer a tax free option for tourists who spend more than 5500 yen- you must show your passport.
I, personally, am not into Pokémon merch but I did almost purchase these make up sponges at the Pokémon Center Shibuya.
