Everything We Know So Far About Japan's Upcoming Pokémon Park—So You Can Add It To Your Itinerary

Grab your Poké Balls and power up your Pokédex; it's time to go on an adventure. A new theme park is set to open in Japan next year, and it's one that fans of the media franchise have been dreaming of for years!

Say hello to PokéPark KANTO, the world's first permanent Pokémon-themed outdoor attraction. Gone are the days when living out your trainer fantasies are confined to limited-time-only pop-ups and events. Soon there'll be a space where you can be the Pokémon trainer you're meant to be, open all year 'round.

Check out everything we know so far about this upcoming addition to Japan's theme park circuit.

First released as a video game in 1996, Pokémon fans who've gone that far back will appreciate the nod to the OG location of the franchise: the Kanto region.

According to the official website, the new theme park will feature over 600 Pokémon, scattered throughout the grounds, which will be divided into two main areas: Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town. 

Just like in the games, your adventure at PokéPark KANTO will take place in a forest where you can catch and spot different Pokémon, and inside a city or town where you can interact with other trainers.

The Pokémon Forest is exactly the former. It's a spacious wilderness nearly 500 meters in length where you can observe a wide variety of Pokémon battling, running, or even sharing Berries with kind trainers in the area.

Just like the in-game Pallet Town, Cerulean City, and other Pokémon world settlements, here you can rest and obtain items you need for your journey. In Sedge Town, you will find the Pokémon Trainers' Market full of goods, as well as the Pokémon Center, Poké Mart, Sedge Gym, a Pokémon parade, and two other attractions that are still kept under wraps.

As of writing, it's still unclear how PokéPark KANTO will exactly pull off the Pokémon experience IRL. Will it integrate with Pokémon GO? Will AR/VR technology power this, or will it be more of a walkthrough with life-sized statues, perfect for photos? There's still a lot of this new theme park that's up in the air, so we'll just have to wait and see. Don't worry! We'll be on the lookout for you. 

However, one thing we do know for now is that ticket sales for PokéPark KANTO will begin this fall, around October or November. Considering the massive Pokémon fan base and Japan's penchant for theme parks, we recommend being on the lookout for ticketing details and securing your spots as soon as they become available.

So start planning your Poké-adventure, pack your bags, and ready your Japanese visas—there's going to be one more reason to head to Japan.