World's First Pokémon Airport to Open in Japan This July

The world’s first official Pokémon-themed airport is scheduled to open in Japan this summer.

The Pokémon With You Foundation and Ishikawa Prefecture have officially revealed an exciting new joint initiative designed to deliver smiles and support recovery efforts following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

This heartwarming collaboration will see the existing Noto Satoyama Airport temporarily rebranded and renovated into the “Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport.”

This ambitious project holds the unique distinction of being the first aviation hub in the world to be officially named after the beloved monster-catching franchise.

The goal of the renovation is to reinvigorate the local area by attracting tourists and creating a bustling, cheerful environment that encourages economic recovery for the region.

Visitors to the newly transformed travel hub will find themselves immersed in a world of colorful mascots, beginning with the iconic two-story atrium of the building.

The open space features massive balloons shaped like Pikachu and airplanes, surrounded by countless other creatures appearing to soar freely through the air.

The designers have taken special care to incorporate all 111 currently discovered Flying-type Pokémon throughout the facility, excluding Mega Evolutions and Regional Forms.

Travelers can enjoy searching for these creatures hidden within the architecture, including special character-themed directional signs to guide them on their journey.

The first-floor arrivals lobby offers a touching tribute to the region by displaying the large-scale “Bright Future” illustration originally created to support Noto’s recovery in 2024.

This welcoming area also features a delightful three-dimensional monument of Pikachu, Plusle, and Minun to warmly greet arriving passengers.

The observation deck has been playfully reimagined as “Pikachu’s Satoyama,” featuring countless Pikachus gathering together to form a unique and adorable landscape.

The airport experience extends beyond visual decorations, offering visitors the chance to watch three original short videos via their smartphones while exploring the terminals.

One of these videos, titled “Fly! Bagon,” tells the story of a small dragon who dreams of taking to the skies and links directly to a statue within the airport showing the character gazing up at a Salamence.

To further celebrate the opening, an exclusive piece of artwork titled “Sky of Hope” has been commissioned, depicting numerous characters flying toward a bright light and a shimmering rainbow.

This uplifting artwork represents the joy of flight and the hope of embarking on a new journey, and it will be featured heavily on airport decorations and merchandise.

Fans looking for a themed culinary experience can visit Restaurant Annon on the third floor, which will offer a special menu featuring two types of pancakes and two unique drinks.

Diners who order a pancake and drink set will be served their meal on an exclusive “Sky of Hope” placemat to make the dining experience even more memorable.

The Serendipity shop on the second floor will carry a wide selection of exclusive merchandise utilizing the new logo and the fresh artwork.

The product lineup includes standard souvenirs like T-shirts and keychains, alongside travel-focused items such as luggage tags and suitcase belts.

To help tourists explore the wider Noto Peninsula, Hokuriku Railroad Group will introduce two custom-wrapped buses to the region.

One bus will operate a daily round trip on the existing express route connecting Kanazawa Station, the airport, and Wajima City.

The second vehicle will service a brand-new sightseeing route designed to connect the airport with various character hotspots scattered across the peninsula.

This new route will provide easy access to unique locations such as the recently opened “Wakura Pokémon Footbath” in Nanao City and the “Sylveon with LOVE” monument in Suzu City.