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When we stepped into PokéPark KANTO, the world’s first outdoor Pokémon park, we knew we had to learn more about how this ambitious project came to life. We sat down with the park’s Marketing and Public Relations Director to discuss everything from the five-year development process to the mysteries hidden throughout the grounds.
Five Years in the Making
The journey to create PokéPark KANTO began shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. What started as an ambitious vision has taken approximately five years to bring to reality. “We started this project after COVID-19. So, it’s around 2019. So, it takes about five years to accomplish this project,” the director explained.
The preparation extended to every aspect of the park, from the parade to the gym battles and live performances. When asked about the timeline for these specific features, the director acknowledged the scale of the undertaking.
“We can’t tell you exactly how long we’ve been preparing for this, but just as I mentioned, we started this project after COVID-19.”
Bringing the Games to PokéPark KANTO
At the heart of the park’s design is a simple but powerful concept: transforming the virtual world of Pokémon into a physical space. The director credits project leader Junichi Masuda for this vision, particularly when it comes to one of the park’s most popular attractions. “The idea came from the project leader, Masuda Junichi-san. He wanted to create the game world into reality,” they said, referring to the park’s Pokémon Center experience.
The director elaborated on why the Pokémon Center was essential to the park’s identity.
“Pokemon Center is in the real, in the game series. So, of course, he wanted to make it real.”
For longtime fans, the Pokémon Center holds special meaning as the place where trainers heal their teams in the games. Now, visitors can step inside one themselves.
The attraction features differeny Pokémon, including Pikachu, Dragonite, and Lucario, though the selection process remains under wraps. When asked about Masuda’s involvement in the project, the director was clear: “I would say everything. Everything. Everything area. The whole project of PokéPark KANTO, he is in charge.”
Managing the Crowds
With tickets selling out rapidly, crowd management has become an important consideration. The park uses a pre-booking system to control visitor numbers. “On the usual operational day, customers are going to experience Pokemon Center as you experienced today. So, the operation is the same as today,” the director explained. This consistency helps maintain the quality of each visit.
The ticketing strategy plays a key role in managing the flow of visitors. “As I mentioned before, the ticket is, you know… it’s a pre-booked area. So, that’s the way we control the crowdedness of this area,” the director said. They added reassuringly, “All the tickets are reserved in advance. There’s no ticket left for the day.”
The overwhelming demand has been both exciting and challenging for the team. “We are so glad to see this kind of big reaction from fans. But, on the other hand, you know, we want to welcome as many fans as possible. So, we have to think of how we can welcome more customers from now on,” the director shared.
Hidden Details and Berry Mysteries
Walking through the park, visitors might notice that many Pokémon are holding the same type of berry: the Aspear Berry. Rather than explaining the choice directly, the director encouraged guests to explore. “You can find some text on the signboard in the forest. The signboard. And under it, there are some tips in English as well. So you can find some tips why the same berries can be found in the forest.”
This approach extends to other aspects of the park, from the food menu to the Pokémon featured throughout the grounds. The team has deliberately created mysteries for fans to uncover. “Please enjoy guessing why those Pokémon are living here and why that Pokémon was chosen as the food and merchandise,” the director said.
The director’s message was clear: exploration and discovery are part of the experience. “Please enjoy guessing why those Pokémon are living here and why that Pokémon was chosen as the food and merchandise,” they said.
Looking Ahead for PokéPark KANTO
As PokéPark KANTO settles into regular operations, maintaining the high standards expected of such a major brand remains a priority. “You know, we are going to make an effort to maintain. Yeah, that’s, you know, the biggest mission of us after the grand opening, I think,” the director noted.
The park represents more than just attractions and experiences. It’s designed to be a meeting place for Pokémon fans from around the world. “The very important thing is that please enjoy interacting with Pokémon and also trainers all over the world in this area,” the director emphasized.
While some details about the park remain closely guarded secrets, from capacity numbers to specific design choices, the mystery seems intentional. PokéPark KANTO invites visitors not just to observe, but to discover and imagine, much like the games that inspired it.
