Gotta Catch ‘em All! World’s 1st Pokemon Airport Opens in Japan
by Bruce Parkinson
The world’s first Pokemon-themed airport.
What the world needs now is… a Pokemon airport?
Why not? A little whimsy is welcome in tumultuous times.
On July 7, 2026, Noto Satoyama Airport will reopen as the Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport — the only airport in the world to officially bear the Pokémon name.
Running through the end of September 2029, this limited-period project is the result of a partnership between Ishikawa Prefecture and the Pokémon With You Foundation, an initiative established to bring smiles and renewed energy to communities affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.
Step Inside: Pokémon at Every Turn
From the moment visitors arrive, Pokémon appear throughout the airport. Original decorations line the entrance, while a newly designed airport logo welcomes guests at the terminal entrance.
Inside the first-floor arrival lobby, visitors will find a large-scale installation based on Akarui Mirai (“A Bright Future”), an artwork created in 2024 in support of Noto’s recovery efforts. Pikachu, Plusle, and Minun appear as three-dimensional monuments greeting arriving travellers.

Throughout the airport, guests can also access three original short videos, including a special story featuring Dreepy.
Above the second-floor atrium floats a giant Pikachu riding an airplane balloon, surrounded by Pokémon soaring across the sky. Across the airport, all 111 Flying-type Pokémon discovered as of May 2026 are featured in the décor (excluding Mega Evolutions, Regional Forms, and similar variants) — an astonishing level of detail that fans will appreciate.
Shop, Eat, and Take in the View
On the second floor, the gift shop Serendipity offers original merchandise inspired by Kibou no Sora (“Sky of Hope”), a new artwork created to commemorate the airport’s opening. Items include T-shirts, keychains, and luggage tags designed as memorable souvenirs from Noto.
On the third floor, Restaurant Annon plans to serve two original pancake dishes and two original drinks inspired by the project. Guests ordering a set menu will also receive an exclusive original placemat.
Outside, the observation deck Pikachu no Satoyama presents one of the airport’s most memorable sights: countless Pikachu gathered together to form a satoyama landscape inspired by Noto itself — a scene that feels both playful and deeply connected to the region’s identity.
Visiting Noto this summer offers an opportunity to experience a region rediscovering its energy, creativity, and warmth following the 2024 earthquake.
Whether travelling with family, friends, or fellow Pokémon fans, Noto invites visitors to discover a place unlike anywhere else in the world.





