In which Tokyo district did the first Pokémon Center store open?

The first Pokémon Center store opened in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. It began operating on July 18, 1998, as a dedicated retail destination for Pokémon merchandise.

The store was connected to Pokémon Center Co., Ltd., a company founded by Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak in April 1998. The company was initially created to manage specialized Pokémon stores in Japan before expanding its responsibilities across the broader franchise.

Real Pokémon Centers take their name from the healing facilities in the games and anime. In the fictional world, Pokémon Centers restore injured Pokémon and provide services for Trainers. The real stores instead sell products such as plush toys, clothing, figures, cards, and other branded goods.

Nihonbashi is a historic commercial district in central Tokyo, making it a fitting location for the franchise's first official store. Later Pokémon Centers opened in other Japanese cities and eventually in selected locations outside Japan.