New Pokemon theme park to open in Japan in early 2026
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PokePark Kanto will be the first permanent outdoor facility themed around Pokemon.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM POKEMON/YOUTUBE
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TOKYO – Entertainment company Yomiuri Land and Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun announced on July 22 that PokePark Kanto, an outdoor facility to be built within the Yomiuriland amusement park, will open in spring 2026.
The first permanent outdoor facility themed around Pokemon, it will be operated by PokePark Kanto, an enterprise jointly established between The Pokemon Company, Yomiuri Land and The Yomiuri Shimbun.
Advance ticket sales are expected to begin in late 2025.
Yomiuriland straddles the cities of Inagi, Tokyo and Kawasaki in the lush green Tama Hills. PokePark Kanto, which is to be accessed through Yomiuriland, will cover an area of about 2.6ha.
Yomiuriland straddles Inagi, Tokyo and Kawasaki in the lush green Tama Hills.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM POKEMON/YOUTUBE
It will feature more than 600 Pokemon across Pokemon Forest, an area which makes use of the surrounding natural environment, and Sedge Town, where visitors can catch parades and enjoy meet-and-greets with Pokemon.
PokePark Kanto’s Pokemon Forest makes use of the surrounding natural environment, while its Sedge Town is where visitors can take part in activities and catch parades.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM POKEMON/YOUTUBE
In Pokemon Forest, which offers various terrains – including hilly paths, tall grass, tunnels and rocky trails – visitors can observe a wide variety of Pokemon as they run, battle and share food.
Pokemon Forest will offer varied terrains.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM POKEMON/YOUTUBE
Sedge Town will feature two attractions and give fans, both from around Japan and overseas, opportunities to gather and interact with one another. Besides housing a Pokemon Trainers’ Market offering merchandise, the area will also have the Pokemon Centre, Poke Mart, Sedge Gym and a Pokemon parade.
Sedge Town will house a Pokemon Trainers’ Market, as well as the Pokemon Centre, Poke Mart, Sedge Gym, a Pokemon parade and two other attractions.
PHOTO: POKEMON WEBSITE
Mr Junichi Masuda, chief creative fellow at The Pokemon Company, said 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the first Pokemon video games in Japan.
The park was created to “repay the fans who have loved Pokemon for 30 years”, he said, adding that “it would be fun to have a place where Pokemon are always there”.
The park features Pokemon that visitors can touch in an outdoor setting, which was chosen to highlight the creatures in their natural environments.
“They fly through the sky and move around freely. (In the forest), you can feel the wind blowing and smell flowers, and Pokemon are there too. I thought that being in nature is very important for living creatures,” said Mr Masuda. “There are over 600 Pokemon in PokePark Kanto, and we have created a story for each of them.”
The park’s facilities will continue to evolve, with the Pokemon changing depending on the weather or season, he added.
Yomiuri group companies and The Pokemon Company have already collaborated in various fields. The Yomiuri Shimbun began running an educational column for children in its morning edition in 2009.
The Pokemon Ryuosen – a Pokemon gaming event named after the Ryuo, the most prestigious championship in shogi – was held for the first time in 2014.
Tickets for the new facility are scheduled to go on sale around autumn, and further details will be announced at a later date. THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Additional reporting by Ian Cheng
