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Tokyo just got a brand-new Pokémon megastore, and here’s a massive look at its exclusive items

Casey Baseel Mar 23, 2018
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Ninja, sumo, and kabuki Pikachu are hiding in plain sight right next to Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe.

Tokyo frequently tops lists of the world’s best cities to eat in, and it solidified its grip on that title last week with the opening of the first-ever permanent Pokémon Cafe. But while we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the restaurant (especially since we got to meet celebrity chef Pikachu), the cafe is actually only half of the city’s latest helping of Pokémon, since it’s adjacent to a brand-new Pokémon Center megastore.

Like the Pokémon Café, the Pokémon Center Tokyo DX, as the shop is called, is located on the fifth floor of the east annex of the Nihonbashi branch of department sore Takashimaya, just a short walk out the east exit of Tokyo Station. Colorful Pocket Monster murals greet guests on the first floor, and once the elevator doors open on the fifth, the excitement starts immediately, with a large statue of Pikachu, Snorlax, and Mew in the lobby that sits between the cafe and store.

▼ Don’t forget to check the statue’s backside, where you’ll find signatures from members of the Pokémon creative team.

Covering the wall behind the trio of Pokémon are the silhouettes of hundreds more.

These are arranged by their original Pokédex number, starting with Bulbasaur at the top of the far left column, and Pikachu, Number 25, two columns over.

▼ Since Abra’s name is “Casey” in Japanese versions of Pokémon games/anime, I made sure to find him.

Once you’ve had your fill of playing “Who’s that Pokémon?”, head on into the store, where mountains of awesome Pokémon merch awaits.

▼　Mt. Pikachu

Each Pokémon Center has its own exclusive items, and one of Tokyo DX’s special plushies is traditional Japanese fireman Pikachu.

Also not available anywhere else are a girlish Pikachu wearing billowy hakama pants, which were in fashion among young ladies during the Taisho period, when Tokyo Station was initially built…

…and dapper “gentleman Pikachu,” decked out in dandy duds for dudes circa 1915.

And of course, with the Pokémon Café right next door, there are chef and waiter Pikachu plushies as well.

▼ They even have Pikachu-themed foods!

Now if you think you’re too old to be buying stuffed animals (or, alternatively, you’re an unabashed fan who’s old enough to have filled up all of your toy-displaying shelf space already), you’ll be happy to know that there’s a wealth of practical-purpose merch on offer as well.

▼ Firefighter, hakama, and gentleman Pikachu get the acrylic key chain treatment, as do sakura, kabuki, sumo, and ninja Pikachu.

▼ The old school-chic Pokémon Oedo line applies Pokémon touches to traditional Japanese motifs for notebooks, toothpick cases, and more.

▼ This hand towel is perfect if you can’t decide which Tokyo DX exclusive Pikachu you want, and is cute enough that you could probably just hang it on your wall as a decoration.

Once again owing to the proximity to the Pokémon Café, there’s a nice lineup of plates and cups.

And what better beverage to pour into them than do-it-yourself Pokémon latte art?

Need to spruce up your interior? Cushions, of both the Pikachus in love and Eevee tail varieties, should tie together the décor of any room in your home.

How thorough is the theming? Even the restroom sign…

…and shopping bags are awesome.

And should you find yourself having bought more than you can carry…

▼ A totally foreseeable dilemma, especially since there’s a five-percent discount if you’re shopping on your birthday.

…have no fear, because they also sell Pokémon luggage.

But even if you don’t end up spending a single yen, a visit to Pokémon Center Tokyo DX is totally worth it. There’s a giant touch-screen Pokédex that’s free to use and can be set to multiple languages, including English, and on weekends between now and April 22, giant huggable hakama and gentleman Pikachus (we refuse to believe the vicious rumors that they’re actually performers in costumes) will be on hand to greet guests. Best of all, though, is the overwhelming warm, fantastically fuzzy feeling of being surrounded by other fans from all over the world.

Shop information
Pokémon Center Tokyo DX / ポケモンセンタートウキョーDX
Address: Tokyo-to, Chuo-ku, Nihonbashi 2-11-2, Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building 5th floor
東京都中央区日本橋二丁目11番2号日本橋髙島屋Ｓ.Ｃ.東館５階
Open 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Website

Follow Casey on Twitter, and he promises to let you use that Pikachu hand towel if you ever visit his apartment.