A brand-new Pokémon theme park has opened in Tokyo, Japan, giving fans the chance to step into the world of their favourite creatures. The park, called PokéPark Kanto, is the first permanent Pokémon theme park and opened in Yomiuriland, one of Tokyo’s biggest amusement parks. It celebrates 30 years since Pokémon began.
Although temporary Pokémon parks were built in Japan and Taiwan in the early 2000s, this is the first one to stay open all year round. The name “Kanto” comes from both a real part of Japan and the original region from the Pokémon Red and Blue games.
Visitors begin their adventure at a building called the Pokémon Research Lab. From there, they can explore two main areas: Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town.
Pokémon Forest is a leafy trail filled with over 600 Pokémon statues hidden among trees, rocks, and streams. To enter, guests must climb 110 steps, so it’s designed for those who can do that safely.
Sedge Town is styled like a Pokémon town centre, complete with a Pokémon Centre, Poké Mart, and a fountain. It also has rides like an Eevee-themed carousel and hosts stage shows, parades, and even battles between actors and robot Pokémon.
PokéPark Kanto joins other video game-themed parks around the world, like Super Nintendo World in Japan and the US. A Minecraft park is also being planned for the US and UK in the next couple of years.
