Pokemon Center in Ikebukuro – a Report of “Mega” Opening

Pokemon Center Tokyo moved from Hamamatsucho and Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo newly opened in Ikebukuro Sunshine City alpa on 12th December. This is a report of the opening day and all about the renewed Pokemon Center!

Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo in Ikebukuro

It is not very uncommon to be in a line for a long time in Tokyo. After all my experiences in a line, when I saw the looooong line, I got worried about how long I’d wait.

But it was not so boring to be in line. I had a lot to do. Walls are all Pokemons.

Everyone had their Nintendo 3DS. Many were playing Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire just released in November. I was so busy at Street Pass Mii Plaza. My Street Pass light was twinkling all the time. There were some Germans, Australians and Americans. Welcome to Tokyo!

And I saw some lucky boys with Pokemon Center’s Birthday Crowns. They have birthday coupons, too. Happy birthday!

…Some people were in Pikachu costumes!

I was overanxious. I entered at 10:40. Just (?) 50 minutes in line. Far better than the legendary line at Tokyo National Museum and crowds at Tokyo Game Show. Moreover, this is a story on the opening day, so you are thinking of visiting Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo later, don’t worry.

Let’s enter!

Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo is 1.5 times as big as that used to be in Hamamatsucho.

This is the 2nd move of Pokemon Center; The 1st Pokemon Center was located near Tokyo Station, then moved to Hamamatsucho.

I think that it was totally successful to move to Ikebukuro this time. See the enough space in the shop.

Hamamatsucho is a great place for sightseeing and staying, but the problem was that Pokemon Center in Hamamatsucho was a bit too small…

Now in Ikebukuro, plenty of Pokemon items are stocked in the shelves. There are 13 checkout counters. I think that it was large enough to hold events inside. What’s more, there are 3 Pokemon diorama displays inside. One is the first photo of this post, one is Mega Mewtwo & Mega Lucario, and the other is this Mega Lizardon.

It is great to be big enough to let Pokemon fans explore Pokemon world.

Some items are very rare. For example, Pikachu plush with THIS expression is sold only in Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo in Ikebukuro.

Pikachu LIMITED in Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo

My dear. I saw a guy who bought TENS of them!

There was an event stage of Pikachu for the grand opening.

As far as I see it, Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo was beyond my expectations.
Ikebukuro Sunshine City is an interesting place with many attractions, and Pokemons will make it more exciting than ever.

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Visitor Information on Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo

Opening Hours: 10:00 – 20:00

How to get to Ikubukuro Sunshine City alpa
A 8 minutes walk from East Exit of Ikebukuro Station of JR Yamanote and many other lines. 3 minutes from Higashi (=East) -Ikebukuro Station of Yurakucho Subway Line. There is an underground path near No. 6 or 7 Exit of Higashi-Ikebukuro Station, which directly leads to Sunshine City.

Parking: Sunshine Parking has space for 1800 cars.
http://www.sunshinecity.co.jp/information/access_car/

Link to Google Map

A Tip for manga fans
Ikebukuro is a district with many manga-related shops and cafes.
If you read mangas in Japanese, Dice Ikebukuro, a manga cafe, has more books, including rare ones that you won’t find in bookstores, than any other manga cafes. It is located in the street to Sunshine City. Try it.
http://www.diskcity.co.jp/shop/ikebukuro/

Accommodation

Sunshine City Prince Hotel – A hotel inside Ikubukuro Sunshine City. As I recently wrote, Prince Hotel group is one of Japanese leading good hotel chains.

Booking.com