Okay, friends—I finally made it to PokéPark KANTO at Yomiuri Land! ⚡
I visited on February 13th, just days after the grand opening. To be honest, I walked in expecting a war zone of crowds (like Disney or USJ), but I was pleasantly surprised. It was chill, immersive, and absolutely magical.
The Vibe: The moment you step into Pokémon Forest, you aren’t in Tokyo anymore—you are in the game. I couldn’t put my camera down!
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Pikachu’s Forest: So many Pikachus with different expressions!
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Roaming Pokémon: I saw Dragonite (Kairyu), Snorlax (Kabigon), Vulpix (Rokon), Gengar, and Eevee just walking around at Sedge Town(Kayatsuri Town).
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The Show: The “Pika Pika Sparks” show? No words. I actually got a little emotional. It is a MUST watch.
BUT… I made a few strategic errors that cost me some experiences. I want to make sure your trip is perfect, so here is my Ultimate Guide based on my actual visit.
⚠️ A Quick Honesty Note: The “Ace Trainer’s Pass”
Before we dive in, I have to confess: I wasn’t fast enough to grab the Ace Trainer’s Pass. 😭 It sold out almost instantly! Because of that, I couldn’t enter the Pikachu & Eevee Playroom, so this guide won’t cover that specific area.
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Lesson for you: If the Playroom is a “must-do” for you, you need to be camping on the ticket site the second they go on sale!
⚡ 10 Insider Tips for PokéPark Kanto
1. The 10:00 AM Rule (My Big Mistake! 😱)
Here is the tea: Go at 10:00 AM. My ticket for the “Pokémon Forest” was for 11:00 AM. I assumed I couldn’t enter the park until then. I was wrong. You can enter the Sedge Town as early as 10:00 AM, regardless of your Pokémon Forest time! Because I arrived late, I missed out on booking the “Pokémon Playhouse.” Don’t be like me—go early!
2. Book “Pokémon Playhouse” Immediately
The second you enter Yomiuri Land, pull out your smartphone. The reservations for Pokémon Playhouse (where you interact with Pokémon) vanish instantly. Book the first available slot you see. As of February 13th, it seems that Clefairy, Psyduck, Growlithe, Slowpoke, Gengar, Lapras, and Dragonite have came.
3. Parade Strategy: Wait for 15:55
Most people rush to the 13:20 parade. It’s crowded. Pro Tip: I watched the 15:55 parade instead. It was much easier to see, and I got great photos of the dancers and Pokémon without fighting the crowds.
4. Shopping Strategy: Buy Merch LATER 🛍️
Good news: The Daisuki Shop is well-stocked. I didn’t see anything permanently sold out; they restock shelves fast. Warning: There are NO lockers inside PokéPark. My Advice: Book a shop entry time for before you leave so you don’t have to haul heavy bags around.
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Note: Some popular items have a “1 per person” limit to prevent scalping.
5. The “Starter” Drinks Sell Out Fast 🥤
The drinks at the Poké Mart. I went around 15:00, and the Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle drinks were completely sold out. If you want that cute Instagram shot with a starter drink, go there first thing in the morning!
6. The “PokéBall Pins” Addiction
You have to do this. You can buy random capsule toys (pins) of the original 151 Pokémon.
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Limit: 10 per person.
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Advice: Buy the max. You will need them for the next tip.
7. Trade Pins with Staff! 🔄
This is the coolest feature. You can trade your pins with staff members walking around the park! Insider Intel: If you are hunting for popular Pokémon, trade First Thing in the Morning. By the afternoon, the staff might have already traded away the good ones. I managed to swap for some great ones, but you have to negotiate!
8. Free Fun in Sedge Town
While waiting for your Pokémon Forest entry, do the Diglett Ring Toss and use the Photo Props to make original Pokémon card photo in the Sedge Town. They are free and super cute. Check the manholes too—they are custom Poké-lids!
9. Lunch Lines are the Real Boss Fight
While the park wasn’t too crowded for a newly opened spot, the food lines were long. The Pikachu Rice Ball shop had a constant queue. Eat early (11:00) or late (15:30) to save time.
10. SECRET TIP: Bring Your Own Plushie! 🧸
This is my favorite tip. If you have a favorite Pokémon plushie, bring it with you!
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Staff will come up and talk to you about your Pokémon.
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At the Pokémon Center, you can hand your plushie to the staff, and they will “heal” it for you (just like the game!). It’s such a wholesome interaction.
🚐 Don’t Want to Worry about Train Times & Heavy Bags?
Yomiuri Land is a bit of a hike from central Tokyo (uphill walking + train transfers). Especially if you plan on buying those 10 Pokéball Pins and giant plushies, the train ride back can be rough.
Upgrade your experience with Milocal Japan.
We offer a Private Charter directly to PokéPark.
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We pick you up from your hotel.
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You can leave your shopping bags in our car while you explore.
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We know the schedule, so we’ll make sure you arrive exactly at 10:00 AM (so you don’t make my mistake!).
Let’s catch ’em all in comfort.
