Fans of the global video game and anime franchise "Pokémon" have a new adventure as "PokéPark Kanto," the world's first permanent Pokémon-themed amusement park, opened today (5 Feb) within Yomiuriland amusement park, located between Inagi City in Tokyo and Kawasaki City in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The park spans approximately 2.6 hectares (about 16.25 rai), divided mainly into two zones: Pokemon Forest, a forest area over 500 meters long where visitors can role-play as trainers exploring natural trails with grass slopes, tunnels, and rocky paths to observe over 600 Pokémon species in their natural habitats.
Sedge Town is a lively city zone for trainers, featuring various facilities such as the Pokemon Trainers’ Market, Pokemon Center, and Poke Mart offering exclusive merchandise. It also includes Pokémon-themed eateries like Pikachu's Onigiri shop and Snorlax-themed popcorn stand.
The park also offers attractions like "Pika Pika Paradise," a Pikachu-themed ride powered by "electric-type Pokémon energy," and Vee Vee Voyage, a carousel featuring popular Pokémon such as Rapidash and Eevee. Additional venues include Sedge Gym for daily shows and events, and Pokemon Playhouse for meeting Pokémon characters and enjoying special parades.
Ticket sales began last November through a lottery system for Japanese residents and on a first-come, first-served basis for international tourists. There are three main ticket types: the premium Ace Trainer’s Pass priced at 14,000 yen (about 2,845 baht), which grants access to all zones, rides, and reserved seats for gym shows. This price exceeds the starting tickets for Tokyo Disneyland (7,900 yen) and Universal Studios Japan (8,900 yen).
The Trainer’s Pass, starting at 7,900 yen, allows park entry but requires additional payment for rides and advance reservations for shows, while the Town Pass, from 4,700 yen, grants access only to Sedge Town. Tickets will be available from May. All ticket types also permit access to other Yomiuriland areas.
Because Pokemon Forest features steep paths and many stairs, the park prohibits children under 5 and anyone unable to climb 110 steps unaided from entering, even with adult supervision. For safety, strollers and wheelchairs are also not allowed in the forest zone.
Pokémon began as a Game Boy video game in 1996, inspired by the Japanese childhood hobby of insect collecting, and has since become a global phenomenon encompassing anime, card games, and the app Pokémon Go. This permanent theme park opens amid Japan’s tourism boom in 2025, despite diplomatic tensions causing a decline in Chinese tourists late last year.
Additionally, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka recently announced plans to add Pokémon-themed rides, reflecting the enduring popularity of these pocket monsters.