Beginner’s Guide to Pokémon Centers in Japan
If you’re a Pokémon fan visiting Japan, stepping into a Pokémon Center is like walking straight into a dream. From plushies to trading cards, exclusive merchandise to themed cafés, these stores are a must-visit for kids and adults alike. My boys have never met a Pokemon Center they didn’t like, and as they’re die-hard Pokemon fans, I’ve visited dozens of these stores all over Japan.
So what do you need to know about Japan’s Pokémon Centers before you visit? Is there anything you should do before you arrive to prepare? Here’s our complete beginner’s guide to Pokemon Centers in Japan:
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
What Are Pokémon Centers?
Let’s start from the very beginning: what actually is a Pokemon Center? Pokémon Centers are official Pokémon retail stores found across Japan. (So in real terms, the word ‘Center’ is a fancy way of saying big shop!) Each store carries exclusive merchandise, which is one of the things the boys love post about the Pokemon Centers. You can find unique products (usually plushies) for each site. But realistically, you can buy almost anything with Pokemon on here including:
- Plush toys and figures
- Trading card game packs
- Stationery, clothes, and home goods
- Limited-edition seasonal items
Some locations also feature interactive exhibits, cafés, and photo spots for fans.
Tip: Some Pokémon items are exclusive to certain locations, so if you’re hunting for rare items, plan your route ahead. Our boys like to collect the unique themed plush from each center they visit, and it’s such a great collection to have when you get home!
Where to Find Pokémon Centers
There are Pokémon Centers in almost all Japanese major cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, and Sapporo. We’ve visited 5 of the centers in Tokyo as well as the center in Osaka. On our next trip we’re hoping to finish seeing ALL of the Pokemon centers in Tokyo, as well as visit the sites in Kyoto and Okinawa.
To help you plan your own Pokemon store-to-store adventure, here’s a full list of all the Pokemon Centers in Japan:
| Store Name | Opening Hours | Address |
| Pokemon Center Sapporo | 10am – 8pm | Daimaru Sapporo Store 8F Kita 5 jo Nishi 4-7, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-0005 |
| Pokemon Center Tohoko | 10am – 8pm | Sendai PARCO1 3F 1-2-3 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8484 |
| Pokémon Center TOKYO DX ＆ Pokémon Cafe | 10:30 am – 9:00 pm | Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building （5F） 2-11-2 Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0027 |
| Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO ＆ Pikachu Sweets | 10am – 8pm | Sunshine City alpa 2F 3-1-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-6002 |
| Pokémon Center SHIBUYA | 10am – 9pm | 6th Floor, Shibuya PARCO, 15-1, Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-8377 |
| Pokémon Center SKYTREE TOWN | 10am – 9pm | Tokyo SKYTREE TOWN Solamachi East Yard 4F, 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 131-0045 |
| Pokémon Center TOKYO-BAY | Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm | Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport TOKYO-BAY West Wing 2F, 2-1-1,Hama-cho, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 273-8530 |
| Pokémon Center YOKOHAMA | 10:30 am – 8:30 pm | 8F MARUI City Yokohama, 2-19-12 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi 220-0011 |
| Pokémon Center NAGOYA | 10am – 8pm | Nagoya PARCO East Building 2F3-29-1, Sakae, Naka-ku,Nagoya-shi, Aichi, 460-0008 |
| Pokémon Center KANAZAWA | 10am-8pm | 5F Kanazawa FORUS, 3-1 Horikawashinmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-0849 |
| Pokémon Center KYOTO | 10am-8pm | KYOTO Economy Center SUINA-MUROMACHI 2F, 78 Higashi Iru Hakoyahokomachi, Muromachi, Shijo-dori, Shimogyou-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 600-8009 |
| Pokémon Center OSAKA DX ＆ Pokémon Cafe | 10am – 8pm | 9th Floor, DAIMARU SHINSAIBASHI Main Building, 1-7-1, Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, 542-8501 |
| Pokémon Center OSAKA | 10am-8pm | Daimaru Umeda Store 13F 3-1-1, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, 530-8202 |
| Pokémon Center HIROSHIMA | 10am-8pm | ekie store 2F 1-2 Matsubara-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima 732-0822 |
| Pokémon Center KAGAWA | 10am-8pm | Marugamemachi Green East Bldg. 1F, 8-23 Marugame-machi, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa, 760-0029 |
| Pokémon Center FUKUOKA | 10am-9pm | 2F, Hakata Marui 9-1 Hakataekichuogai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-0012 |
| Pokémon Center OKINAWA | 10am-10pm | AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom 1F 1, Rycom, Kitanakagusuku-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa, 901-2306 |
*Note: Opening hours are subject to change and some stores will close for public holidays. All information correct at time of publishing.
There are also dozens of Pokemon Stores across Japan: These are great spots for merch and cards, but they don’t have the same extra features that the Pokemon Centers boast. You can see the list of these here.
Pokemon Cafes
Two of Japan’s Pokemon Centers boast their own cafes, and if you’re travelling with kids that are huge Pokemon fans (like my boys) then visiting these themed cafes will be a dream come true. These epic restaurants offer:
- Pikachu pancakes and curry dishes
- Exclusive themed drinks and desserts
- The chance to see Pikachu dancing and put on a short show while wearing a chef costume
- Unique Pokemon cafe merchandise that you can ONLY buy if you have a Pokemon cafe reservation
We’ve visited the Pokemon Cafe in Tokyo twice: we’ve got our eyes on the Pokemon Cafe in Osaka on our next trip. But that’s going to take a lot of luck! Why? It’s worth noting that getting a Pokemon Cafe reservation is hard work: Reservations go on sale 30 days in advance at 6pm JET (Which is 9am BST here in the UK). They sell out almost instantly: this isn’t an exageration! I’ve seen reservations display as sold out within 30 seconds of becoming available.
👉 You can read all about the challenges of getting a reservation here Japan With Kids: Want A Pokemon Cafe Reservation? How To Book The Pokemon Cafe In Tokyo, Japan
Want to guarantee entry to one of the Pokemon Cafes? It is possible to use a third party to buy a reservation if you can’t get one on your own.
👉 We had to use a third party for our reservation on our last trip. Read how in Buying a Pokemon Cafe Reservation: A Costly Adventure
Top Tips for Visiting Pokémon Centers In Japan
- Go early: Stores get busy, especially on weekends and holidays. We’ve visited several different centers at different times of day, and the experience is always better the earlier in the day we visit. Arrive when they open to browse without crowds.
- Check exclusives: Certain plushies or card packs are only available at select locations, and these are like cat nip to my kids! If you’re going to buy anything, make it the store exclusives.
- Plan for photos: Pokémon Centers have photo spots and displays, with each store having its own mascot Pokemon. This is such a fun memory for kids and adults, and looking at the photo spots and theming is a great thing to do if you don’t want to break the bank buying merch.
- Combine with nearby attractions: Many centers are near shopping malls or major sightseeing spots. For example, Mega Tokyo in Ikebukuro is inside a mall with arcades and restaurants. Pokemon Centers are perfect for adding to a great family day, rather than a whole day activity in their own right!
What To Buy At The Pokemon Centers in Japan
I don’t pretend to be a Pokemon expert, or the biggest Pokemon fan, but even I am overwhelmed by the sheer volume and range of merchandise available in the Pokemon Centers in Japan. We go in telling the boys they can only buy one thing, and come out with bags full!
To help you plan what to buy from the Pokemon Centers in Japan, I created a free shopping checklist for families that you can download and check out below:
👉Read Your Ultimate Guide to Pokémon Center Tokyo and Free Shopping Checklist for Families
Beginners Guide To Pokemon Centers in Japan -Final Thoughts and Further Reading
Visiting Pokémon Centers in Japan is a magical experience for both kids and adults. With a little planning, you can make the most of your trip, pick up exclusive merchandise, and even enjoy a themed café experience. It’s the dream of every Pokemon fan in the world to visit the Pokemon Centers in Japan. So if you’re visiting Japan with kids that are Pokemon fans, I strongly recommend carving out some time so they can nerd out and enjoy all that these Centers have to offer!
Want to read more about all the awesome Pokemon things you can do in Japan? Check out:
👉 Pokemon Tokyo Experiences And Attractions (Perfect For Pokemon Fans!)
👉 Visit The Pokemon Center Tokyo DX And Pokemon Cafe (Tips, Booking and Photos 2025)
👉 Pokemon Store Tokyo Station Shop – What To Buy and Why It’s Worth Visiting
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Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
