These Japanese Towns Are a Must Visit for Pokémon Fans

Play Pokêmon in real life!

Pokémon vacation, anyone? And I don’t just mean buying merch in Tokyo. Did you know there are cities in Japan that look remarkably similar to the video game regions Pokémon fans know and love?

I had no idea before visiting Kyūshū. Kagoshima lies on Japan’s southern island and boasts jaw-dropping nature, gardens, temples, delicious dining experiences, and spiritual reprieves. I learned about toriis, traditional Japanese gates that symbolize the transition from the ordinary world to the sacred, at the Sengan-en Garden and climbed the stairs to see the active Sakurajima Volcano from a safe distance. It wasn’t until I rang the bell at the JR Nishi-Oyama train station, perfectly framed by a bed of flowers that looks so much like berry-planting beds, that I started to think… what a minute… Why does this feel like I’m in a Pokémon game?

It’s not a simulation, and it wasn’t just my imagination on overload. The steps leading up to the Sakurajima Volcano eerily resemble mountain climbs in the games, and the available ash helmets on the ground reminded me of trekking through Mount Chimney. I took a healing sand bath at the Ibusuki Hakusuikan Hotel, much like you can in Lavaridge Town in Emerald. I stopped on the side of the road to walk through an open sunflower field, which someone in my Instagram DMs pointed out looks a lot like Floaroma Town. This is legit. The joy I found in stumbling upon them in the wild and feeling like I was walking around in a Pokémon game is hard to describe, but my inner child felt electric like he was bursting out of me. A quick Google search revealed that there are even fanmade guides to walk you through some game-inspired locations.

The Gamer reports that Pokémon director Junichi Masuda, one of the original developers of the series beginning with the first Japanese games in 1996, took direct inspiration from Kyūshū when crafting the Hoenn Games to honor his parents’ hometown. Almost three decades later, Pokémon’s staying power is remarkable to witness. The characters I loved in 1998 are still on children’s T-shirts today, driving a wide array of modern TV shows and video games. Those children who begged their parents for Pokémon Red on Gameboy Color, who dreamed of running away from home with a loyal best friend by their side, are now adults in their 30s and 40s with expendable incomes, and they’re willing to drop some serious coin to connect with their childhood obsession.

Japan sells Pokémon-themed chips in grocery stores and Pokémon gummies in the shape of Mudkip and Lucario at airport Family Marts. There’s an entire Slowpoke-themed hotel in Kagawa Prefecture. I strongly considered approaching an 8-year-old in a restaurant to ask where he got a fanny pack shaped like Pikachu’s face.

Though l went to Japan primarily to see a couple of the smaller islands, I specifically went out of my way to ensure I had 24 hours in Tokyo. It’s well-advertised as a Pokémon lover’s paradise, with not one but seven Pokémon Centers scattered across the city. Each location offers custom activations, knick-knacks, and plushies. I made time for two of them.

I landed in Tokyo at 5 pm, and the Pokémon center in Shibuya closed at 9 pm. Exiting the airport via metro took longer than I expected, and I swung by my hotel to drop off my luggage, so I didn’t walk in the door til about 8 pm. On the sixth floor of a building, I couldn’t help but let out a squeal at the Center entryway where Mewtwo slept in the scientist tank from Pokémon: The First Movie. The special Christmas version Pikachu plushie greeted me from around the store, and I stumbled upon a wall of smaller Pikachu plushies in a variety of poses. I bought four Pokéball capsules with a surprise plushie inside as gifts. An 18-inch Snolax plushie that would’ve been at least $50 in the States basically begged me to purchase him at 4900 yen (about $30). I’d worry about how he’d fit in my bag later. A floating Mew hovered overhead at the checkout station, and the cashier gave me a Pokémon card sticker as a gift.

The next day, I made time for the DX location in Chuo City, literally giddy as the elevator doors opened up to a statue of Snorlax, Pikachu, and Mew. On the left was the Pokémon Cafe restaurant that’s booked out for months in advance, and on the right was the store’s entrance hallway with the franchise’s history in 8-bit style art on display, speakers blasting the opening adventure tune from Pokémon Red & Blue.

Despite my expensive visit the day before, I found myself picking out spoons and dishware, keychains and stickers, and even a plushie Lugia. I simply couldn’t help myself.

I was still buying memorabilia in the final hours of my trip at the Haneda Airport. Shops lured you in with Pokémon branded bags, treats, and souvenirs. Uniqlo advertised its own Pokémon-themed t-shirts for 1500 yen (about $9), and as I approached my gate, I spotted a massive yellow Pokémon vending machine two gates away. I didn’t even know exactly what it was selling but hopped in line without a second thought. Five or six people stood in front of me, and I took note of the vending machine’s stickers, tags, and plushies available on the TV-sized screen. The three options all featured Pikachu dressed as a Haneda flight attendant. I paced excitedly as we inched forward, eager for a plushie of my own. One girl made a full TikTok video of her plushie-buying experience, excitedly recording herself pulling it out of the gift bag. Then a family went up. They tapped the screen but the plushie had vanished as an option. Confused, they frantically tried to scroll as their teary-eyed child repeated, “Where’d it go?”

Turns out, the TikToker got the last plushie, and you could feel the anger reverberate down the line as grown adults turned away to catch their flights. I still bought a bag tag.

I know you want to know how much I spent. And I don’t feel any shame about it! The amount of Pokémon plushies, figurines, t-shirts, stickers, keychains, and gifts I purchased feels like a steal for about $200. I’d do it again. I’m not sorry, Mom! In fact, if I could do it all over again, I’d probably buy more.

Japan is certainly worth the trek for any Pokémon lovers in your life, young or old, but don’t limit yourself to Tokyo. Explore Kagoshima and beyond, and you might find yourself in the adventure your younger self always dreamed of. Just make sure you bring an extra suitcase for all the souvenirs.