On Feb. 5, The Pokemon Company opened PokePark Kanto, the first-ever permanent outdoor Pokemon theme park.
Located in Yomiuriland in Tokyo’s Tarna Hills, PokePark Kanto invites fans, or “trainers” (the human characters who care for Pokemon in the Pokemon universe), to explore a thematic forest and town filled with more than 600 Pokemon statues. The grand opening arrived right on time for the 30th anniversary of Pokemon — the franchise debuted in 1996 as a Game Boy video game, then quickly grew to include a beloved trading card game, television series and more.
At the new park, signature attractions include the spinning Pika Pika Paradise ride, which carries riders up into the air in giant Pikachus, and Vee Vee Voyage, a carousel pulled by Pokemon creatures Ponyta and Rapidash. Park guests can also explore hilly paths, tall grass and tunnels, where they might spot Pokemon as they run and battle. Fans can also interact with features such as the Healing Machine (this brings to life an iconic part of Pokemon games) and Primarina Fountain, where adorable water-type Pokemon squirt water.
Travel Advisor Insights
Amy Thomasson, a Japan specialist with Travelmation, has the new park on her radar. Most of her clients spend around four days in Tokyo, so PokePark is yet another option to offer them.
“PokePark Kanto represents a smart expansion of Japan’s immersive theme park landscape,” she said. “While destinations like Tokyo Disney Resort, Universal Studios Japan, Sanrio Puroland and Fuji-Q Highland already draw international visitors, this project taps into something uniquely powerful: the global loyalty of Pokemon fans.”
Thomasson is also quick to note that Pokemon isn’t just for kids.
“This will absolutely appeal to families, but it’s important to note that Pokemon has an incredibly strong adult fan base as well,” Thomasson said.
/The-new-park-unites-Pokemon-fans-from-around-the-g.jpg?tr=w-768%2Ch-432%2Cfo-auto "The new park unites Pokemon fans from around the globe.")
The new park unites Pokemon fans from around the globe.
Credit: 2026 PokePark KantoIn addition to the park’s opening coinciding with anniversary celebrations, The Pokemon Company has launched a yearlong global campaign that highlights the brand’s mission to bring people together through a shared love of Pokemon. The campaign honors the franchise’s diverse, multigenerational fan base.
According to Thomasson, PokePark Kanto is bound to reshape itineraries. She has clients traveling to Japan during cherry blossom season this spring, and they’ve got a park visit planned, too.
“What makes this especially compelling is its location in Kanagawa Prefecture,” Thomasson said. “It gives travelers another reason to explore beyond central Tokyo, while still remaining easily accessible. I'm seeing more clients build itineraries around niche passions — whether that’s anime, gaming or pop culture — and Pokemon has high multigenerational appeal.”
Demand for park tickets is already strong. Similar to the Studio Ghibli Museum in the Kanto region, PokePark Kanto operates a lottery system for Japanese residents and a separate booking platform for international visitors. Tickets are released 60 days in advance, and dates through Apr. 18, 2026, have already sold out. Advisors will need to keep a close eye on things in order to secure tickets for clients. And that’s just what Thomasson is doing.
“From Pokemon Centers [official Pokemon shops] and themed cafes to Pokemon manhole covers and now a dedicated park experience, Japan continues to innovate in how it approaches intellectual property tourism,” Thomasson said. “For fans, this isn’t just a stop during their trip — it's the whole reason for going to Japan.”
