Your Ultimate Guide to Pokémon Center Tokyo and Free Shopping Checklist for Families
If you’re planning a family trip to Tokyo, there’s one stop that can’t be missed: the Pokémon Centers. Visiting the Pokemon Centers in Tokyo is such a highlight for my Poke-mad boys, and they spend far too much time checking out all the merchandise and soaking up the atmosphere. And now we’re on a mission to visit as many of these across Japan as possible!
Pokemon is for everyone, adults and kids alike. And whether it’s you or your younglings that are obsessed with Pikachu, Eevee, Charizard, or any of the thousands of Pokémon I unexpectedly know the names of, these stores are magical places to be.
From exclusive merchandise to fun gacha capsules with Pokemon goodies inside, and seasonal collectibles you won’t find anywhere else, Pokémon Centers are a must-visit for any Pokémon fan in Tokyo. But with so many centers to choose from, and so many items to buy, it can be hard to know where to start, especially if you’re travelling with children.
That’s why I decided to create a free, printable Pokémon Center Tokyo Shopping Checklist. It’s perfect for planning your visit, keeping your family organised, and making sure you don’t miss any of the must-buy items!
✨ Mum Tip: We use lists like these to focus the boys on what they really want to shop for, and it’s a great way to encourage kids (and let’s be honest, adults!) to stick to a budget too!
[Download your free Pokémon Center Tokyo Checklist here!]
- Which Pokémon Center in Tokyo Should You Visit?
- What Makes a Pokémon Center Tokyo Visit Special for Families?
- How to Make the Most of Your Visit To The Pokemon Tokyo Centers
- Your Free Pokémon Center Tokyo Shopping Checklist
- Combine Your Pokémon Center Visit with Other Tokyo Family Activities
- Why Your Kids Will Love It
Which Pokémon Center in Tokyo Should You Visit?
There are now officially five Pokémon Centers in Tokyo (Plus a Pokemon store in Tokyo Station which I reviewed here, and is well worth visiting!) We’ve visted all of these centers and they each have their own vibe and perhaps more importantly, exclusive merch:
- Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo (Ikebukuro) – This is the largest and most family-friendly Pokemon Center location in Tokyo. It’s the perfect pick for first-time visitors and those hunting limited-edition items.
- Pokémon Center Shibuya – This store is right in the heart of the action. It’s trendy, modern, and ideal for teens or fashion-focused merchandise, as well as anyone looking to combine Pokemon shopping with a wider shopping binge.
- Pokémon Center Tokyo DX (Nihonbashi) – This is our personal favourite because it includes a Pokémon Café (If you can get a reservation, please do, it’s epic!) and lots of photo opportunities for little ones.
🍜 You can read more about the food at the Pokemon Cafe in Tokyo here. - Pokémon Center Skytree Town (Oshiage) – This is the most crowded Pokemon Center we’ve visited so far. It’s great for combining a visit to Tokyo Skytree with a Pokémon adventure.
- Pokemon Center Tokyo Bay – This is the newest Pokemon Center in Tokyo, and the only one we haven’t visited yet. It’s at the top of our list to visit on our next trip to Japan in March!
✨ Mum tip: If you’re on a tight schedule, you only need to visit one Pokemon Center. With the exception of the store exclusive merch, they all stock very similar items. Which single center should you choose? Focus on Mega Tokyo, the flagship store, because it has the largest selection and is easiest to combine with nearby kid-friendly attractions.
What Makes a Pokémon Center Tokyo Visit Special for Families?
It should go without saying, but for a Pokemon Center to be worth visiting, you’ll need to be visiting with people that like Pokemon. I just don’t think it’s a worthwhile experience for non-Pokemon fans (your time would be better spent visiting Tokyo’s excellent museums or shrines instead!)
But if you do have Pokemon fans in your party, then there are lots of reasons that make a Pokemon Center Tokyo visit special for families:
- Hands-on fun: This isn’t always the case. But often, kids can play with interactive displays, watch demo battles, and explore seasonal setups. On our last visit to the Pokemon Center DX, there was a prize lottery that we all took part in.
- Exclusive merchandise: Many Pokémon Centers have Japan-only items, limited-edition plushies, and seasonal collectibles. You could get a unique plushie from each center you visit!
- Gacha machines and unique collectible coins: This is my favourite thing about each of the Pokemon centers we’ve visited! They each have a pressed coin machine (a cheap and unique souvenir that you can get from every center you visit. And then the classic gacha machines where you can find mini figurines and keychains that are perfect for souvenirs and little surprises.
- Photo opportunities: Make sure you take your camera! Giant Pikachu statues, themed displays, and seasonal decor make for memorable family photos, and each store has its own unique Pokemon mascot.
🎡 Looking for MORE than just shopping? Check out my Pokemon Tokyo Experiences And Attractions (Perfect For Pokemon Fans!)
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How to Make the Most of Your Visit To The Pokemon Tokyo Centers
As a mum (and not really a Pokemon fan) who has spent HOURS of my life in Pokemon Centers across Japan, here are the tips I’ve gleaned from our trips:
- Go early :The first 1–2 hours after opening are the quietest, so you can explore without feeling rushed. The later in the day you go, the busier the stores seem to feel!
- Set a budget – With so many tempting items, having a spending plan helps avoid meltdowns (yours or the kids’!) and that’s why I created the shopping checklist: so the kids can really think about what they want and even set a budget for each item.
- Check for exclusives – You’ll find exclusive plushies in each Pokemon Centre. And the limited edition seasonal collections sell out fast, so don’t wait if you spot something you want
- Bring a backpack – You’ll definitely leave with more than you expect, and if you’re going from the Centre to a day of sightseeing, this will be much easier to carry than a shopping bag.
🌳 DID YOU KNOW? PokePark Kanto, Tokyo’s Pokemon Theme Park is Opening Spring 2026. Here’s EVERYTHING You Need To Know!
Your Free Pokémon Center Tokyo Shopping Checklist
To make your visit stress-free, I’ve put together a free downloadable checklist that covers everything your family might want to buy when they’re in the Pokemon Center Tokyo including:
- Plushies, trading cards, gacha, stationery, apparel, homeware, and snacks
There’s also a notes section where you can list anything extra you’re looking for, or set a budget for each item. That way, even if your kids have ticked the plushie box, they’ll know they only have the budget for 1 or 2!
Combine Your Pokémon Center Visit with Other Tokyo Family Activities
Want to turn your Pokémon adventure into a full day of family fun? Many of the Pokemon Centers are close to other epic Tokyo attractions, and I’ve listed some of our favourite ones here. Try combining your Pokémon Center visit with:
- Sunshine City (Ikebukuro) – This enormous mall is home to indoor playgrounds, aquariums, and restaurants, as well as a Pokemon center. You can read more about the Sunshine aquarium and book tickets here.
- Tokyo Skytree & Sumida Aquarium – Perfect if you’re visiting Pokémon Center Skytree Town. You can read more about the Skytree and book tickets here.
- After your visit the Pokemon Center Shibuya, get a view over the whole city from the Shibuya Sky Platform, or whizz around the iconic streets (perhaps dressed in a Pikachu costume!) on a go karting tour.
🎫 MUM TIP: You can pre-book many of these experiences through Klook to save time and skip queues.
🎁 If you use my code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK you will get a 5% discount, giving you even more money to spend on Pokemon goodies!
Why Your Kids Will Love It
Visiting a Pokémon Center in Tokyo is more than just shopping, it’s a whole, immersive, Pokemon experience:
- They get to explore a world filled with their favourite characters
- They can hunt for rare items and limited-edition plushies
- It gives them something interactive and fun to enjoy in between sightseeing
With your free Pokémon Center Shopping Checklist, you can make the day even more stress-free and enjoyable for everyone.
Final Thoughts
A trip to Tokyo for Pokemon fans isn’t complete without visiting at least one Pokémon Center. With so many stores, exclusive merchandise, and kid-friendly activities, it’s an unforgettable experience for Pokémon fans of all ages.
Download your free Pokémon Center Tokyo Shopping Checklist today to plan the ultimate Pokémon day with your family — because no one wants to leave without the perfect Pikachu plush!
[Download the Pokémon Center Tokyo Checklist here!]
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