TOP 5 things to do as a Pokémon Fan in Japan this summer

Summer usually means Pikachu Parade in Yokohama however with the current state of emergency I doubt that this event will take place this year. Nevertheless, there are other fun things you can do this summer if you like the franchise.

1.  Go Pokemon Hunting at the Pokemon Wonder Forest in Yomuiruland

The theme park Yomuriland in Tokyo recently announced a new Pokemon-themed attraction. A part of the park has been turned into a wood where you can go Pokemon hunting. You don’t actually catch them but rather look for small Pokemon statues or crafts that resemble Pokémon that are hidden in the area. As they only allow a small number of people in the area at the same time tickets must be purchased in advance. Unfortunately, tickets are sold out until the end of August but an announcement for tickets sales for September should be coming at the end of July.

2. Enjoy the Pokemon Colors Exhibition in Matsuya Ginza

The department store Matsuya in Ginza will hold a Pokemon exhibition from July 22 to August 11. Judging from the website it will be a colourful and interactive exhibition. As visitor numbers are limited tickets must be purchased in advance and are available on this website. Currently, there are a lot of tickets still available.

That is how a ticket looks like. They are 1.000 Yen per person.

3. Buy yummy cakes at Pikachu Sweets in Ikebukuro

The Pikachu sweets shops in Ikebukuro has changed their menu quite a lot from when they first opened. At the moment they have really cute Pikachu cakes. During the state of emergency only takeout is available, and you cannot eat in the store. As they sell out fast you might want to go in the morning to make sure you get the cake you want.

But be careful when transporting your cake or it might end up like this.

4. Take Photos of the Pokemon Manholes

Pokemon Manholes can be found all over Japan by now with new ones being installed every few months. On this website, you can check which manholes you can find in your area. In Tokyo for example, you can find manholes in the Serigaya park in Machida.

5. Cool down with sour Pikachu gummy sweets

The Japanese sweets maker Kanro has been doing collaborations with Pokemon since last year when they first started selling a Pikachu shaped version of their Pure gummy candy. Currently, you can find a summer-themed version of this candy in convenience stores and supermarkets. There are 5 different designs available that might make the summer heat more bearable.

I hope I could provide some inspiration for your summer activities.