Tokyo was the first city to get a real Pokémon Center store.
The Pokémon Company opened the first Pokémon Center in Tokyo in April 1998. The retail chain takes its name from the fictional Pokémon Centers in the games and anime, where Trainers can heal, manage, and trade their Pokémon. Real-world stores instead sell licensed merchandise such as plush toys, figures, clothing, stationery, and accessories.
The opening came shortly after the franchise’s original Japanese games and anime had established Pokémon as a major entertainment property. It gave fans a dedicated physical destination rather than relying only on general toy, game, or department stores.
Tokyo is sometimes confused with Osaka or other Japanese cities because Pokémon Centers later expanded across Japan. The first store’s location is the key distinction: Tokyo was the starting point for the official specialty-store chain. Pokémon Center retail has since extended beyond Japan, including locations and stores serving fans in other countries and regions.