On what date did the first real-world Pokémon Center open?

The first real-world Pokémon Center opened on July 18, 1998.

The original store opened in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, after Pokémon Center Co. Ltd. was established as a joint venture involving Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak. The retail concept took its name from the Pokémon Centers in the games, where trainers heal and manage their Pokémon.

Real Pokémon Centers are merchandise stores rather than medical facilities. They sell products such as plush toys, figures, clothing, bags, cards, and other branded goods. The Tokyo launch created a dedicated physical destination for fans during Pokémon’s rapid expansion in Japan.

The first location is sometimes described only as being in Tokyo, but the more specific historical location is Nihonbashi. The opening date can also be confused with the company’s founding date: Pokémon Center Co. Ltd. was founded on April 23, 1998, several months before the store opened.

The retail chain later expanded throughout Japan and eventually reached selected locations outside the country. Its name and design continue the connection between Pokémon’s fictional healing stations and the franchise’s real-world fan culture.