The world’s first Pokémon-themed airport will open this summer in aid of supporting children affected by a disastrous earthquake two years ago.
The regional Noto Satoyama airport in Japan announced that on 7 July, it will reopen as “Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport”.
The project is taking place in collaboration with Pokémon With You Foundation, which supports children affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake that left hundreds dead or missing.
Renovations will take place inside the second-floor atrium area, with characters from the popular franchise decorating the walls, while a large balloon featuring one of the most well-known figures, Pikachu, will hang from the ceiling.
The entire airport grounds will be decorated with all 111 “Flying-type” Pokémon characters for visitors to spot and find.
The first-floor arrival lobby will feature a large mural called “A Bright Future”, an artwork that was created in 2024 to support the reconstruction of Noto.
Pokémon characters Pikachu, Plusle and Minun, which were depicted at the centre of the artwork, will also await visitors as three-dimensional statues in the lobby.
The airport’s observation deck has also been filled with Pikachu decorations on the walls and pillars.
The pillars at the airport’s exterior will feature Pokémon characters, as well as at entrances, exits, information signs and the boarding bridges leading to planes.
The Pokémon theme doesn’t just stop at decorations, however, as the airport’s restaurant Annon will also introduce Pokémon-themed pancakes and drinks, while Serenpitiy, a shop on the second floor, will be selling original merchandise.
Pokémon-wrapped buses will also take passengers on sightseeing tours from the airport, stopping at spots related to the franchise on the Noto Peninsula, including the Wakura Pokémon Footbath in Nano City and a monument based on the Sylveon character in Suzu City.
More Pokémon spots and sightseeing opportunities will be announced ahead of the unveiling in July.
The airport's new theme, which remains in place until at least September 2029, not only aims to spread cheer among survivors but also to pinpoint Noto as a tourist destinaiton among Pokémon fans.
The project hopes to increase the number of people visiting the area by creating a stronger tourism demand.
The airport is a small regional base that sees only four flights, two arriving and two departing, each day between Haneda airport in Tokyo.
Aside from its newfound association with Pokémon, Noto Peninsula is known for its coastal landscape, hot springs and rural communities.
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