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Gotta Know It All: What to Expect From Japan’s Upcoming Pokémon Park
It's time to live out our Pokémon trainer dreams IRL.
by Leana Vibal
Published on Jul 28, 2025
(SPOT.ph) Grab your Poké Balls and power up your Pokédex; it's time to go on an adventure. A new theme park is set to open in Japan next year, and it's one that fans of the media franchise have been dreaming of for years!
Say hello to PokéPark KANTO, the world's first permanent Pokémon-themed outdoor attraction. Gone are the days where living out your trainer fantasies are confined to limited-time-only pop-ups and events. Soon there'll be a space where you can be the Pokémon trainer you're meant to be, open all year 'round.
Check out everything we know so far about this upcoming addition to Japan's theme park circuit.
Here's what we know so far about PokéPark KANTO:
Set to open in early 2026, PokéPark KANTO is a 26,000-square-meter outdoor Pokémon adventure set in Tokyo's Tama Hills area, inside the Yomiuriland Amusement Park.
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PokéPark KANTO will be inside Japan's Yomiuriland Amusement Park. Photo screenshot/ video Pokemon Asia ENG..
First released as a video game in 1996, Pokémon fans who've gone that far back will appreciate the nod to the OG location of the franchise: the Kanto region.
According to the official website, the new theme park will feature over 600 Pokémon, scattered throughout the grounds, which will be divided into two main areas: Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town.
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PokéPark KANTO will have two main areas: the Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town. Photo from Pokemon Asia ENG..
Just like in the games, your adventure at PokéPark KANTO will take place in a forest where you can catch and spot different Pokémon, and inside a city or town where you can interact with other trainers.
The Pokémon Forest is exactly the former. It's a spacious wilderness nearly 500 meters in length where you can observe a wide variety of Pokémon battling, running, or even sharing Berries with kind trainers in the area.
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A render of The Pokemon Forest in PokePark KANTO. Photo screenshot/ video Pokemon Asia ENG..
You can think of the Pokémon Forest area as the in-game Viridian Forest. It's mostly hilly paths and tall grass, but there'll also be areas with tunnels, rocky trails, and other habitats where you can interact with different Pokémon types. You'd want to keep your eyes peeled not only for giant, towering Pokémon but also for those hiding behind trees and grasslands, or even underground.
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Whether you're hunting for grass-type, bug-type, or even rock-type Pokemon, you're sure to spot them here in the Pokemon Forest. Photo from Website/ Pokemon.
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Looking for a specific Pokemon to add to your Pokedex? They're everywhere around the Pokemon Forest.Photo from website/ Pokemon..
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Keep your eyes peeled for your favorite Pokemon. Photo from Website/ Pokemon..
Once you've had your fill of adventure, or if you're needing a quick power-up after going around the Pokémon Forest, you can head to Sedge Town.
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Connect with fellow trainers and gym leaders at Sedge Town's Primarina Fountain. Photo website/ Pokemon..
Just like the in-game Pallet Town, Cerulean City, and other Pokémon world settlements, here you can rest and obtain items you need for your journey. In Sedge Town, you will find the Pokémon Trainers’ Market full of goods, as well as the Pokémon Center, Poké Mart, Sedge Gym, a Pokémon parade, and two other attractions that are still kept under wraps.
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Recharge your Pokemon (or yourself) at Sedge Town. Photo screenshot/ video Pokemon Asia ENG..
As of writing, it's still unclear how PokéPark KANTO will exactly pull off the Pokémon experience IRL. Will it integrate with Pokémon GO? Will AR/VR technology power this, or will it be more of a walkthrough with life-sized statues, perfect for photos? There's still a lot of this new theme park that's up in the air, so we'll just have to wait and see. Don't worry! We'll be on the lookout for you.
However, one thing we do know for now is that ticket sales for PokéPark KANTO will begin this fall, around October or November. Considering the massive Pokémon fan base and Japan's penchant for theme parks, we recommend being on the lookout for ticketing details and securing your spots as soon as they become available.
So start planning your Poké-adventure, pack your bags, and ready your Japanese visas— there's going to be one more reason to head to Japan.
So start planning your Poké-adventure, pack your bags, and ready your Japanese visas— there's going to be one more reason to head to Japan.
Here's a peek at Pokemon Park Kanto. Video from Youtube/ Pokemon Asia
PokéPark KANTO opens in 2026 at Yomiuri Land Amusement Park, Inagi, Tokyo, Japan. For more information, visit the Pokemon website.
Check out these other fun and unique Japan theme parks:
It's Official: Japan's Studio Ghibli Theme Park Is Now Open
Attention, Potterheads: Tokyo's Harry Potter Theme Park Is Now Open
Check out these other fun and unique Japan theme parks:
It's Official: Japan's Studio Ghibli Theme Park Is Now Open
Attention, Potterheads: Tokyo's Harry Potter Theme Park Is Now Open
Leana is Spot's go-to for Arts & Culture and Things to Do. On any given day, she’s either glued to her screen—or gliding underwater like the mermaid she swears she is. Contact: leana@spot.ph
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