# PokéPark KANTO: Japan’s Revolutionary Permanent Pokémon Experience
The Pokémon Company has made an exciting announcement that will transform how fans experience their favorite creatures. PokéPark KANTO is set to become the first-ever permanent outdoor Pokémon attraction, opening its doors on February 5, 2026, at Yomiuriland in Tokyo, Japan. This groundbreaking facility represents a major shift in how Pokémon experiences are created, moving away from temporary pop-up attractions to a lasting destination that fans can visit year-round.
Located in the Tama Hills on the border between Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture, PokéPark KANTO will occupy an impressive 26,000 square meters of space within the existing Yomiuriland amusement park. This size gives the park plenty of room to create immersive environments where visitors can truly feel like they’ve stepped into the Pokémon world. The park was originally scheduled to open in spring 2026, but the opening date has been moved up to February, giving eager fans an earlier opportunity to experience this unique attraction.
The concept behind PokéPark KANTO draws inspiration from the Kanto region, which is the original setting from the first Pokémon games that started the global phenomenon in 1996. By focusing on this classic region, the park taps into the nostalgia of longtime fans while also introducing new generations to the foundational Pokémon experience. The park promises to feature more than 600 different Pokémon, giving visitors an incredible variety of creatures to encounter throughout their visit.
The park is divided into distinct areas that each offer different experiences. The main gateway is the Pokémon Research Lab building, which serves as the entry point and helps transition visitors into the park’s world. From there, guests can explore two primary sections: Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town, along with additional areas like the Trainers’ Market, Gym, and Battle Court.
Pokémon Forest represents the natural side of the park experience. This section takes advantage of the rolling terrain of the Tama Hills to create an authentic forest environment where visitors can observe Pokémon in settings that mimic their natural habitats. A 500-meter walking trail winds through the forest, featuring tunnels, stairs, and meadows that make use of the landscape’s natural features. As visitors walk along this trail, they’ll encounter various Pokémon statues and displays positioned to show these creatures engaging in different activities like battling, playing with friends, or simply going about their daily lives. The forest setting creates an immersive atmosphere that makes visitors feel like they’re on a real Pokémon adventure.
Sedge Town functions as the park’s town center and commercial hub. This area features familiar locations from the Pokémon games, including a Pokémon Center and a Poké Mart. The Pokémon Center is particularly meaningful to longtime fans, as it’s the iconic location where trainers go to heal their Pokémon in the games. In the real park, this building serves as a gathering point and information center for visitors. The Poké Mart offers refreshments and food items, allowing guests to grab snacks and drinks during their visit.
Beyond these core areas, PokéPark KANTO includes several attractions designed to entertain visitors of all ages. Pika Pika Paradise is a dedicated attraction showcasing Pikachu and other electric-type Pokémon, featuring over 30 different electric-type creatures. This ride celebrates one of the most beloved Pokémon of all time and gives fans a chance to interact with Pikachu in a special way. Vee Vee Voyage is a carousel-style attraction featuring Eevee and its various evolutions, with carriages pulled by Ponyta and Rapidash, and balloons where visitors can ride alongside Eevee. These attractions blend traditional amusement park elements with Pokémon theming to create unique experiences.
The park also includes entertainment programming that brings the Pokémon world to life. Parades featuring Pikachu and Eevee will regularly move through the park, giving visitors opportunities to see these beloved characters in action. There are also designated areas where visitors are welcomed by Pokémon characters, creating photo opportunities and memorable moments. The Trainers’ Market offers exclusive merchandise including plush toys and other collectibles that visitors can take home as souvenirs.
Ticket sales for PokéPark KANTO began on November 21, 2025, allowing fans to secure their entry to this groundbreaking attraction. The park will operate as an add-on experience within Yomiuriland, meaning visitors will need to purchase both an admission ticket to Yomiuriland and a separate pass to enter PokéPark KANTO. This structure is similar to how Universal Studios Japan operates its themed lands, allowing the park to maintain quality control and manage visitor flow effectively.
The announcement of PokéPark KANTO represents a significant moment in Pokémon history. For decades, Pokémon experiences in the real world have been limited to temporary exhibitions, pop-up shops, and themed cafes that eventually close. These temporary attractions, while exciting, never provided a lasting destination where fans could return repeatedly. PokéPark KANTO changes this dynamic entirely by creating a permanent facility designed specifically for Pokémon fans to visit and revisit throughout the year.
The choice to locate PokéPark KANTO in Tokyo makes strategic sense. Tokyo is Japan’s largest city and a major tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually. Yomiuriland itself is an established amusement park with existing infrastructure and visitor traffic, providing a ready audience for the new Pokémon attraction. The location on the border between Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture also makes it accessible to residents of both areas, expanding its potential visitor base.
The focus on the Kanto region is particularly meaningful because it represents the beginning of the Pokémon journey for most fans worldwide. The original Pokémon Red and Green games, released in Japan in 1996, introduced players to the Kanto region and its 151 Pokémon. This region became iconic through the anime series, which followed Ash Ketchum’s journey through Kanto as he worked to become a Pokémon master. By centering PokéPark KANTO on this region, the park taps into decades of nostalgia and emotional connection that fans have developed with these original creatures and locations.
The promise of encountering more than 600 Pokémon throughout the park is remarkable. While the original Kanto region featured 151 Pokémon, the franchise has expanded dramatically over the years, with new generations introducing hundreds of additional creatures. By including
