BODY: Imagine slipping into a steaming bath tinted the soft pink of a Sylveon's ribbons, or soaking under the watchful gaze of a chubby Pokémon mascot. Starting May 28, 2026, that whimsical scene becomes reality across Japan as Gokurakuyu Holdings transforms 39 of its Gokurakuyu and RAKU SPA bathhouses into Pokémon paradises.
The collaboration centers on "Poko a Pokémon Yuttari Life" — yuttari meaning "leisurely" or "relaxed" — a cheeky play on the official "Poko a Pokémon" brand, which features stylized, rounded illustrations of fan-favorite creatures. Five distinct themed baths, dubbed "Poko a Pokémon no Yu" (the baths of Poko a Pokémon), will rotate through participating locations, each featuring different colors, scents, and visual treatments tied to specific Pokémon designs.
Beyond the soaking experience, guests can purchase exclusive event merchandise designed in the Poko a Pokémon art style, including towels, keychains, and bath goods that serve as practical souvenirs of the visit. Restaurants inside the facilities will roll out special collaboration menus — expect cute, photogenic dishes shaped like Poké Balls or styled after specific Pokémon, a hallmark of these tie-ups in Japan.
The Gokurakuyu and RAKU SPA chains are major players in Japan's super sento (large bathhouse) industry, offering everything from outdoor rock baths to saunas, restaurants, and relaxation lounges under one roof. Spreading the campaign across 39 locations from Hokkaido to Kyushu makes this one of the largest Pokémon bathhouse collaborations to date.
The insider take
Bathhouse-anime collaborations have become a reliable weekend outing for families and adult fans alike in Japan, and the Poko a Pokémon brand — softer and more design-forward than mainstream Pokémon merchandise — is a smart fit for the sento atmosphere, which skews toward calm and pastel aesthetics. Expect long queues on opening weekend, especially at flagship Tokyo-area locations like RAKU SPA 1010 Kamiya and Gokurakuyu Higashi-Totsuka. Locals tend to visit on weekday evenings to skip the crowds, and merchandise typically sells out within the first two weeks at popular branches.
Originally reported by 4Gamer.net − 最新記事 (Japanese).