A Pokémon Center is an official Pokémon shop, and Centers have, naturally, become popular tourist destinations. Pokémon Stores also sell Pokémon products, but Centers have a wider selection that includes both standard and Center-exclusive items.

At the Center, you can learn to play Pokémon card games and even play against Center staff. Pokémon Centers vary by location, and some even feature a cafe. The large Pokémon statues at the entrance are different at each Center, so it's fun to see which one you'll encounter.

Let's take a look at each of Tokyo's official Pokémon locations!

The Pokémon Center Tokyo DX & Pokémon Cafe on the 5th floor of Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. is the only Pokémon Center in the Kanto region that has a cafe (reservation required). Accessible from the Yaesu exit of JR Tokyo Station and Nihombashi Subway Station, you can easily drop by while sightseeing in central Tokyo.

Visitors can take photos with the Pikachu, Mew, and Snorlax statue and special events and campaigns provide unending excitement!

The Pokémon Cafe has a full menu of meals and sweets too cute to eat! There are also cafe-only items for sale like stuffed toys and tableware.

*Available at Pokémon Center Tokyo DX & Pokémon Cafe and Pokémon Center Osaka DX & Pokémon Cafe

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo & Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe is located in Ikebukuro Sunshine City and is one of Japan's largest Pokémon Centers. It's the flagship Pokémon Center and known as the "Pokémon Sanctuary" among fans.

There's a Pokémon card station attached where Pokémon cards and products are sold. Game events are held on weekdays, weekends, and public holidays so experienced and novice players alike can enjoy competing. The Pokémon Card Concierge will meet your deck building needs!

The Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe serves drinks with Pokémon sleeves and seasonal meals for take-out.

In the world's first Pokémon GO official space – the Pokémon GO Lab – life-sized versions of Professor Willow, Team Instinct Leader Spark, Team Mystic Leader Blanche, and Team Valor Leader Candela make appearances.

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo reopened in June 2020 with plenty of commemorative items on sale including those depicting Pokémon trainers gathered around a park fountain in spring.

Pokémon Center Skytree Town is located in the Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi complex, and visitors will be welcomed by Rayquaza as they enter.

The Tokyo Skytree area is a popular destination for international tourists, and this Pokémon Center is no exception. Limited edition souvenirs not found at other Pokémon Centers are on sale, like Tokyo Skytree towels and Edo Glass items.

Pokémon Game Gym and Pokémon Card Battle events, to which you can bring your own game console to participate, are also held there. You'll definitely want to add it to your sightseeing itinerary.

Pokémon Center Shibuya, which opened in November 2019, welcomes visitors with a huge animatronic Mewtwo that "breathes" with an added sense of realism and can be "talked to" with an interactive AI "Kuchitomi" machine.

The interior is decorated in stylish black to give it the look of a luxury brand shop, like those in Shibuya that set trends in art, music, and fashion. The atmosphere is different from other Pokémon Centers, and more "grown up" with plenty of fashion accessories featuring Pokémon, and a fashionable women's section.

The Center also holds Pokémon Game Gyms and Pokémon Card Battles, making it a Pokémon Center that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

The Pokémon Store Tokyo Station, located inside Tokyo Station, collects popular products from the Pokémon Centers. Unlike Centers, which hold numerous special events, the Store is mainly a retail location, convenient for buying souvenirs.

Even if you leave a Pokémon Center thinking, "I should have bought that," you may still be able to find those items at the Pokémon Store. There's also a wide selection of card games and exclusives like the plush Pikachu Stationmaster Uniform Version (1,760 yen, tax included).

Suppose you're thinking, "I want to visit the Pokémon Center!" but can't because of current travel restrictions. In that case, the official "Pokémon Center Online," makes it possible to purchase Pokémon Center toys and products from abroad.

You can also get the latest information on new Pokémon goods, so it's a must-check site for Pokémon fans. Here are a few of the cute Pokémon stuffed animals released in July 2020 and comical products from the August 2020 "... Janai" line up.

(*Please note some items may not be available on international sites.)

1. Plush HELLO PONYTA Galar Ponyta

2. Plush HELLO PONYTA Koorippo

Both are Pokémon designed by James Turner, Art Director for "Pokémon Sword and Shield." These plush toys are characterized by their pastel colors and soft texture, and are just the right size for hugging or decorating your room.

3. Plush Pikachu (Kyodai Max figure)

This stuffed Pikachu features a tail stretched by the power of Kyodai Max and measures a huge 53 x 32 x 21 cm! Kyodai Max Pikachu is soft and big enough to be used as a pillow!

4. Window Pouch

These window pouches from the "... Janai" line make it easy to see their contents. There are two cute designs: one with Uu exclaiming "Uu missile!?" and the other decorated with Morpeko and its "Hangry Mode" version. The pouches are 13 x 19 x 6 cm for easy carrying.

5. Melamine Cups

These light, easy-to-use plastic cups feature illustrations from the "... Janai" Pokémon line. At 8.5 x 7 cm they're easily stacked and stored, so you'll want to collect them all.

On the Chinese version of Pokémon Center Online you can purchase items with Chinese language support and shipping options throughout the country: https://otakumode.tmall.hk/shop/view_shop.htm

1. Petit Plush IN Monster Ball Case

Ten different mini Pokémon stuffed animals come in Poké Ball-shaped cases. Since you don't know which Pokémon is inside each, it's exciting to open the ball and find out which one you'll get!

2. Pokémon Center Original Figure Kamitsure & Emolga

This Kamitsure figure, with Emolga, depicts the Raimon City gym leader in a stylish pose befitting the world-famous fashion model.

3. Plush life-sized smiling Pikachu

This Pokémon Center exclusive life-sized Pikachu is 40 cm of soft, cuddly, smiling, open-armed cuteness!

4. Plush Sleeping Pikachu

The image of Pikachu sleeping comfortably is so popular that it's also sold on stationery and sweets. This Sleeping Pikachu stuffed animal can double as a cushion or pillow and is so cute you won't be able to resist hugging it!

5. Soft Huggable Plush Snorlax

This version of Snorlax is softer and fluffier than any other Pokémon stuffed animal. You'll be so soothed by Snorlax's serene expression and softness you'll never want to let go of it!

6. Soft Huggable Plush Pikachu

Another Pokémon Center original, you'll easily fall asleep hugging this cute Pikachu. The soft texture and gentle expression super-popular.

7. Big Plush Pikachu

This large life-sized plush Pikachu is 40 cm tall, soft, and cuddly.

Pokémon Centers are filled with the charms of Pokémon. Be sure to visit when you're in Japan. The latest Pokémon items debut on Pokémon Center Online so check them out in preparation for your trip!


©2020 Niantic, Inc. ©2020 Pokémon. ©1995-2020 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc.ポケモン・Pokémonは任天堂・クリーチャーズ・ゲームフリークの登録商標です。

Written by Yoko Okumura, Dali Corporation. Translated by Gabriel Wilkinson.

*Information in this article is accurate as of October 2020