“Encounter Legendary Pokémon: Legend Research in Nihonbashi & Yaesu” Underway, With More Than 100 Pokémon Appearing Across the District
“Encounter Legendary Pokémon: Legend Research in Nihonbashi & Yaesu,” an event set across the Nihonbashi and Yaesu districts, began on September 9, 2026. Marking Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, it runs through November 29. More than 100 Pokémon appear in and around buildings in the two districts, and a program combining a walk through the streets with puzzle solving is also underway.
©2026 Pokémon. ©1995-2026 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Pocket Monsters, Pokémon and Pokémon are trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc. and GAME FREAK inc.
More Than 100 Pokémon in Nihonbashi and Yaesu, Including 19 Statues
During the event, more than 100 Pokémon from the Pokémon video game series, including Legendary Pokémon, appear throughout Nihonbashi and Yaesu.
©2026 Pokémon. ©1995-2026 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Pocket Monsters, Pokémon and Pokémon are trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc. and GAME FREAK inc.
Of these, 19 are installed as statues. Eleven statues are in Nihonbashi, including Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Lugia and Ho-Oh. Eight are at TOKYO MIDTOWN YAESU, including Xerneas and Yveltal. At COREDO Muromachi 1, the entire second-floor window surface facing Chuo-dori is decorated with the event’s key visual. Lanterns bearing Pokémon illustrations line approximately 50 meters of Muromachi Nakadori.
Main venue locations
©2026 Pokémon. ©1995-2026 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Pocket Monsters, Pokémon and Pokémon are trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc. and GAME FREAK inc.
Paid Puzzle Experience Created by Ryogo Matsumaru’s RIDDLER Takes Participants Through Nihonbashi and Yaesu
A paid experience, “Pokémon Legend Research: Awaken the Legendary Research Report!,” is also underway. It was created by RIDDLER, a group of puzzle creators led by Ryogo Matsumaru. Participants advance through the story as they walk around Nihonbashi and Yaesu looking for Pokémon.
Registration for the puzzle experience is on the first floor of Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and public holidays. Vouchers redeemable for a puzzle kit cost ¥3,300 and are on sale through November 29. The Pokémon statues and street decorations can be viewed for free.
Designed for People Unfamiliar With Pokémon and Puzzle Beginners
According to the article’s source, Matsumaru replayed games ranging from “Pokémon Gold and Silver” to “Pokémon Scarlet and Violet” while creating the puzzle experience.
The experience is designed to be enjoyable without knowledge of Pokémon. It also includes elements intended to remind people familiar with the series of scenes and motifs from the games. A website offering hints in stages is available for puzzle beginners.
Original Merchandise at TOKYO MIDTOWN YAESU and Art Depicting 53 Pokémon
A Legend Research merchandise section has been set up on the fifth floor of TOKYO MIDTOWN YAESU. It sells 12 types of original merchandise, including T-shirts, mugs and acrylic keychains featuring key visuals created for the event.
“Pokémon Art and Environmental Education Exhibition in Yaesu” was scheduled to take place from September 18 to 27. It features artwork depicting 53 Pokémon, made by Tama Art University students using unwanted items, scrap materials and similar materials.
©2026 Pokémon. ©1995-2026 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Pocket Monsters, Pokémon and Pokémon are trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc. and GAME FREAK inc.
Exploring Nihonbashi and Yaesu While Looking for Pokémon
A feature of the event is that it uses the streets of Nihonbashi and Yaesu as its setting instead of taking place entirely within one facility. Mitsui Fudosan aims to encourage people searching for Pokémon to discover places they do not usually visit and aspects of the districts they may not have noticed before.
The statues and street decorations are free to view. For those planning to visit Nihonbashi or Yaesu, taking a short detour to look for Pokémon may offer a different view of familiar streets.
