Pokémon theme park coming to Tama Hills near Tokyo; apply for online lottery

Get ready to “catch em’ all” at the world’s first Pokémon theme park coming early next year to Tokyo’s Tama Hills area.

PokéPark Kanto, a one-hour drive from Camp Zama, NAF Atsugi and Yokota Air Base, will open its doors Feb. 5 and feature over 6 acres of fun for fans of the franchise.

The park is inside Yomiuriland Amusement Park and requires an additional admission ticket. However, all ticket types to the PokéPark Kanto also grant you entry to the main amusement park, according to a spokesperson of PokéPark Kanto.

PokéPark Kanto is divided into two sections, “Pokémon Forest” and “Kayatsuri Town,” and will include plenty of interactive experiences with franchise favorites like Pikachu and Squirtle.

Inside “Pokémon Forest,” grassy fields, tunnels and mountain trails will transport visitors into the popular series. In “Kayatsuri Town,” the park’s landmark Fountain of Primarina, Pokémon Center, Poké Mart and Gym are where trainers and Pokémon gather for battle and some shopping. The town offers various Pokémon goods, food, live performances and attractions with more characters.

Apply for ticket lottery online starting Nov. 21 for admission between Feb. 5- March 31. Two ticket types are available for Trainers Pass (ages 13 or older, 7,900 yen or more depending on dates; ages 3 - 12, 4,700 yen and up) and Elite Trainers Pass (ages 13 or older, 14,000 yen and ages 3 – 12, 11,000 yen or more). Entry ticket lottery opens three months in advance starting Jan. 1 for entry April 1- 30, and so on.

Since the maximum daily admission is predetermined, the park will keep a ticket lottery system for entry into the PokéPark, a spokesperson of the park said. However, the official said, visitors can check the website for future same-day ticket purchase opportunities.

Plan ahead and make sure you apply early to get in on the Pokémon fun!

Things to know

Official trailer
Ticket information *Ticket lottery starts Nov. 21, lottery winners announced late December, ticket payment due Dec. 31.
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Camp Zama

Naval Air Facility Atsugi

Yokota Air Base

Takahiro Takiguchi

Takahiro Takiguchi is a writer based in Yokosuka, Japan. Takiguchi covers travel, food and culture stories for Stars and Stripes Japan. Follow along as Takiguchi takes readers to less crowded destinations around the mainland, you might also catch him out and about recording Speakin’ Japanese lesson videos for Instagram.