A regional airport in Japan is getting a Pokémon-inspired makeover as part of post-earthquake recovery efforts.
Gotta fly ‘em all? In Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture, Pokémon fans will soon be able to.
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As part of upcoming renovation works, the Noto Satoyama Airport is preparing to level up by being renamed as the “Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport”.
Nato Airport, which only operates flights exclusively to and from Tokyo Haneda International Airport, will unveil its evolution on 7 July 2026, with Pokémon-themed attractions and events planned through to 30 September 2029.
Self-styled as a world first, the Japanese domestic hub invites Pokémon fanatics to track down as many from the 111 flying-type characters throughout its soon-to-be revamped four-storey grounds.
At the atrium, a gleeful Pikachu perched atop an aeroplane will take centre stage, with Ash’s trusty companion surrounded by species inspired by birds, insects and even dragons.
However, superfans should note that mega evolutions and regional forms will not be featured, according to the airport.
In the first floor arrivals lobby, visitors will be welcomed by a mural that is a nod to Noto’s nature titled “A Bright Future”.
While outside, the pillars have been decorated with Pokémon characters, described as “creating an exciting atmosphere that evokes the feeling of anticipation at the start of a journey”.
The theme also continues to the second floor, where the walls feature characters depicted in airport settings, as well as on information signposts.
Beyond the goal of attracting tourists, the airport’s themed initiative has been developed in the aftermath of the magnitude 7.6 Noto Peninsula earthquake in 2024. The disaster killed hundreds, injured thousands and devastated the peninsula’s infrastructure.
Noto said that the theme, including a revamp to its logo, aims to bring smiles and cheer to children impacted by the disaster.
How to pass the time before you ‘catch’ your flight
Waiting to take off? Consider it your pre-flight evolution instead.
Any Pokémon trainer knows the importance of nutrition to boost performance. At Noto, travellers and perhaps the occasional wandering Pokémon, can refuel at the An-non Restaurant, which will serve themed pancakes and drinks on a specially designed placemat.
For those looking to take a piece of the experience home with them, the Serendipity gift shop planned for the second floor will have a limited range of T-shirts, keychains and suitcase belts and luggage tags.
Designs will include the new airport logo and specially commissioned “Sky of Hope” piece, which includes characters flying in the sky side-by-side with an aeroplane to commemorate the hub’s opening.
“The imagery, featuring numerous Pokémon flying through the sky, dazzling light, and sparkling rainbows, expresses a longing for the sky, the joy of flying freely, and the ‘hope’ of embarking on a new journey,” the airport said.
Sky of Hope motifs will also feature on a soon-to-launch tour bus service for visitors keen on sightseeing in and around Kanazawa City, the capital of Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture.
Earmarked to operate on weekends, public holidays and during the summers, the service will run from mid-July with one daily departure in each direction, connecting Kanazawa Station, the airport and Wajima City.
As an added bonus for fans, the decorated bus will drive by the Wakura Pokémon Footbath, as well as the Sylveon With LOVE monument installed in Suzu City.
Hotels and theme parks
From Noto to Tokyo, and even further afield to Kyoto and Osaka, the themed fun doesn’t have to stop.
Earlier this year, MIMARU, an apartment-style hotel brand for families and groups, announced the renovation and expansion of its much-loved Pokémon Rooms.
Featuring 100 characters adorning the walls, ceiling and furniture, the updates “transform each room into a vibrant space where Pokémon feel like they’ve leapt from their Poké Balls to join guests in daily life”, the brand said.
The apartment-style rooms provide spacious layouts with fully equipped kitchens, separate sleeping areas and dining spaces, ideal for multigenerational families or groups.
In February, it was also announced that PokéPark Kanto, Pokémon’s first permanent theme park, had opened inside Yomiuriland in Tokyo.
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