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In a move that feels straight out of the Pokémon universe, Japan is preparing to open the world’s first airport officially themed around the global franchise.
Image: Unseen Japan
Located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Noto Satoyama Airport will relaunch on 7 July 2026 as the “Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport”, transforming the small regional hub into a colourful destination filled with themed attractions, exclusive merchandise and Pokémon-inspired experiences. The project will run until September 2029.
The airport makeover is about more than nostalgia. It forms part of broader recovery and tourism revitalisation efforts following the devastating 7.6 magnitude Noto Peninsula earthquake in 2024, which caused widespread destruction across the region.
Travellers arriving at the airport can expect Pokémon almost everywhere they look. Decorations featuring all 111 flying-type Pokémon discovered as of May 2026 will appear throughout the terminal, including on walls, boarding bridges and airport signage.
One of the standout features will be a giant Pikachu-and-airplane balloon installation suspended inside the airport’s atrium, surrounded by flying Pokémon characters. Elsewhere, themed artwork titled “A Bright Future” will welcome visitors in the arrivals hall, symbolising hope and recovery for the region after the earthquake.
The Pokémon experience extends beyond the terminal itself. Visitors will be able to browse limited-edition souvenirs including T-shirts, luggage tags and keychains, while themed pancakes and speciality drinks will be served at the airport restaurant. Special Pokémon-wrapped buses are also expected to begin operating across the Noto Peninsula from mid-July.
Although the airport currently only operates flights to and from Tokyo Haneda Airport, officials hope the themed transformation will attract both domestic and international travellers to the region.
Japan has increasingly leaned into pop culture tourism in recent years, with Pokémon remaining one of the country’s biggest global entertainment exports. For fans, the new airport promises something few travel experiences can offer: the chance to begin a journey in a real-life Pokémon world.
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