BODY: Ikebukuro's Pokémon faithful can finally mark their calendars. The Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and its neighboring Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe, both temporarily closed for weeks, will swing their doors back open on August 24, the company announced today (July 27, 2026).
Located inside Sunshine City in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district, the Mega Tokyo store is one of the flagship Pokémon Centers in Japan — a pilgrimage stop for domestic fans and overseas tourists alike, and home to the towering Pikachu and Mega Charizard statues that dominate its entrance.
The headline for returning visitors is what comes after reopening: Pokémon confirmed that entry restrictions will be enforced once the store is back in business. While the announcement stops short of detailing the exact system, such measures at Pokémon Centers typically mean numbered-ticket distribution or timed-entry queues to manage the crush of shoppers — a familiar sight during major product launches.
The adjacent Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe, known for its themed drinks and photogenic desserts, will resume service on the same day, rounding out the full reopening of the Sunshine City complex.
The insider take
Anyone who has tried to squeeze into Mega Tokyo on a weekend knows exactly why the entry limits are coming. Ikebukuro sits at the heart of Tokyo's otaku culture belt, and the store routinely draws lines that snake through Sunshine City's atrium — especially when a new plush or Trading Card set drops. Reopening in late August, right as summer break peaks and inbound tourism surges, all but guarantees crowds. The restriction system reads less like a limitation and more like Pokémon quietly acknowledging just how much demand this location commands. For visitors planning a trip, the practical advice is simple: arrive early, and don't be surprised if you're handed a ticket before you're handed a Poké Ball plush.
Originally reported by 4Gamer.net − 最新記事 (Japanese).