Where did the first Pokémon Center store open in Japan?

The first Pokémon Center store opened in Nihonbashi, Tokyo.

The store opened on 18 July 1998 as a specialized retail location for Pokémon merchandise. Its opening followed the rapid growth of the franchise in Japan and helped create a dedicated shopping format for games, toys, trading cards, clothing, and character goods.

Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. was established in 1998 by Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak to manage these stores. The company later broadened its responsibilities and became The Pokémon Company in 2000, while Pokémon Center remained the name of the retail brand.

The first store’s location is sometimes confused with later flagship locations in Tokyo, including the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo in Ikebukuro and Pokémon Center Tokyo DX in Nihonbashi. The original opening is specifically associated with Nihonbashi, an important commercial district in central Tokyo.