Pokémon GO became a sensation around the world when it first launched in 2016. Japan had a late launch when it was first introduced but has become one of the most popular smartphone games both in and outside of Japan. When searching for Poke-stops and Gyms, cities like Tokyo are a Pokémon GO player’s heaven, with multiple stops on nearly every street imaginable and no shortage of gyms to try and take over.
For those visiting Tokyo, there are multiple Pokémon and Pokémon GO related locations that are absolute must-visits for fans of the multimedia franchise! Get your phone and back up charger ready, we’ve got exciting places to catch Pokémon at!
Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo - Ikebukuro Sunshine City
While there are multiple Pokémon Centers located around Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto region (9 total as of writing this article), today we will feature two locations starting with the Ikebukuro Sunshine City location called “Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo.” Having just been remodeled in 2020, this location is one of the largest Pokémon Centers, offering a wide variety of Pokémon goods, toys, cards, games, and more! Inside you can enjoy an authentic look of a Pokémon Center just like in the mainline games, with Chansey and Blissey statues at the front to greet you! Of course, the Pokémon Center is a Gym within the game, so make sure to spin the stop and try to take over the gym or participate in some raids with other players near by!
Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Café
Right across from the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is a new café that opened up in December of 2019, the Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Café! This café offers a variety of sweets like Pikachu cupcakes and other baked goodies, along with drinks like tea, juice, and coffee to enjoy while lounging around playing Pokémon GO in this pastel pink colored café. They also offer special café only souvenirs like the Pikachu and Eevee cup sleeves, so don’t miss out!
Pokémon GO Lab
Having opened in December of 2019, the Pokémon GO Lab is a unique dedicated shop and hang out space for fans of Pokémon GO. The front entrance has a statue of a real life PokéStop and offers a variety of Pokémon GO specific goods like real life gift boxes with chocolates and official team merch to show off which side you’re on! Inside the hangout space you can see a statue of Professor Willow and the 3 team leaders, and also very cool displays in the center and around the lab which showcases live status updates of the in-game gym, with the colors of the lights in the store changing according to which team has control. There is also a trade board and a battle space for players looking to swap Pokémon or those looking for an opponent to take on!
Ikebukuro Sunshine City
- Address: 3-1 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-8630
- Access: 8 minute walk from JR Ikebukuro Station
- 3 minute walk from Higashi Ikebukuro Station
There are plenty of other Pokémon related spots both in Tokyo and around Japan. Visit the Shibuya Pokémon Center to see an awesome display of Mewtwo in an incubation chamber! Or if you’re feeling hungry, make sure to visit the Pokémon Café in Nihonbashi (operation may vary with Covid and states of emergency). Regardless of where you go, there will be activity for you to enjoy in-game as well. Keep spinning those stops and catch all the Pokémon wherever you go!
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