World's First Pokemon Park Opens in Tokyo Thursday

Pokemon fans around the world have been waiting for this moment since the franchise launched nearly 30 years ago, and it's finally here.

PokePark Kanto opens Thursday at Yomiuriland amusement park in western Tokyo, transforming six acres into an immersive world where over 600 Pokemon characters come to life. The park sold out all presale tickets through early April within weeks of going on sale in November, signaling massive demand from fans at home and abroad.

The park splits into two distinct areas that recreate the Pokemon video game experience. Pokemon Forest lets visitors explore 500 meters of grassy hills, tunnels and rocky trails where Pokemon appear in their natural habitats, just like real trainers searching for wild creatures. Sedge Town offers a bustling marketplace complete with a Pokemon Center, Poke Mart, and food stands like Pikachu's Onigiri Shop and Snorlax's Popcorn.

Two main rides anchor the town area: Pika Pika Paradise, an electric ride powered by Pikachu, and Vee Vee Voyage, a carousel featuring fan favorites like Rapidash and Eevee. The Sedge Gym hosts daily stage shows and meet-and-greets where visitors can watch their favorite Pokemon perform, with parades running throughout the day.

Tickets start at $90 for the Ace Trainer's Pass, which includes full park access, all attractions, and reserved show seating. A mid-tier Trainer's Pass runs $51 for park entry with separate attraction fees, while the upcoming Town Pass launching in May offers Sedge Town access for $30. All tickets include entry to the rest of Yomiuriland.

International visitors can book tickets two months ahead on a first-come basis through the park's website, with new availability opening at 6 p.m. on the last day of each month. Japanese residents can enter a lottery system or grab first-come tickets.

The Ripple Effect

This park represents more than nostalgic entertainment. It's creating jobs, boosting tourism to western Tokyo, and giving families a new way to connect across generations who all grew up loving Pokemon. The sold-out presale suggests it could become a major economic driver for the region, rivaling Tokyo's other theme park giants while celebrating a uniquely Japanese cultural phenomenon that captured hearts worldwide.

The park does have accessibility limitations due to steep forest terrain, restricting entry to children five and older who can climb 110 steps independently.

Dreams of becoming a real Pokemon trainer just got a whole lot closer to reality.