PokéPark Kanto opened its doors earlier this year, with hordes of nostalgia-fueled aspiring Pokémon masters from around the globe running to the amusement grounds. But while PokéPark is the first permanent Pokémon theme park, Japan is also home to several regional themed parks and playgrounds that bring the magic of the beloved pocket monsters to everyday fun.
There are currently 12 official “Ambassadorial Pokémon” paired with different prefectures around Japan. The characters are featured on vending machines, souvenirs, manhole covers, public transportation and more, becoming the very face of their community. Six of these characters have their own dedicated playgrounds. Others — including Hokkaido’s Vulpix and Miyazaki’s Exeggutor — appear on regional merchandise, manhole covers and transportation but don’t yet have playgrounds of their own.
These playgrounds don’t just slap a Pokémon sticker on a regular swing set and call it a day. They truly embody the local area’s charms and create a colorful oasis that realizes fans’ dream scenario of playing with the cute creatures out in the wild. These parks, like the Ambassadorial Pokémon, are part of The Pokémon Company’s Pokémon Local Acts project. Here’s where you can find them across Japan.
Image edited by Aya Sato | ©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
What Is the Pokémon Local Acts Project?
As part of the Pokémon Local Acts initiative, a project The Pokémon Company launched in 2018 to promote various Japanese regions, select Pokémon were carefully matched with prefectures, each pair chosen because of certain similarities between the Pokémon’s personalities and regional allure.
The project encourages domestic and international tourists to visit other parts of Japan. Much like regional yuru kyara mascots, Pokémon ambassadors bring a face and charismatic personality to locations, making them more recognizable. You can find the playgrounds in parks, nearby attractions and at michi-no-eki roadside stations, giving kids a fun place to take a break on long road trips.
“Our foremost aim was to give children attractive places to play outdoors, and the first thing that came to mind was a park setting … Pokémon would become an enjoyable part of children’s everyday life,” explains The Pokémon Company on its website.
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Chansey’s Lucky Parks (Fukushima Prefecture)
Chansey, a kind, nurturing pocket monster known for its nursing abilities, was the first to receive a dedicated playground, with Chansey Park opening at the roadside station Michi-no-Eki Namie in 2021. Chansey was a natural fit for Fukushima; the character’s Japanese name, Lucky (ラッキー), pairs perfectly with the kanji for “fuku” (good fortune) in Fukushima. Chansey’s healing nature and association with nursing also made it the perfect match for a prefecture still reeling from the devastation of March 2011.
The connection between Namie and Pokémon runs deep: The father of Pokémon creator and game designer Satoshi Tajiri hails from the town, located just north of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which suffered catastrophic damage following the 2011 earthquake. With Namie having experienced the hardship of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster, including evacuation orders, Pokémon decided to donate playground equipment to the community to help bring joy and laughter back to the area.
The playground equipment includes a 6-meter-tall Chansey, which can easily be seen from the road as visitors approach the station — a surprising pop of pink in an otherwise quiet area. The park also has Pikachu benches, a Wingull swing set, a Clefairy and Igglybuff seesaw, a Happiny sandbox and a Lickitung slide — where, yes, you go down its tongue.
Other features worthy of a look include the Chansey-themed vending machines, the Pokémon indoor play area and the exclusive Chansey souvenirs available inside the roadside station.
While the Michi-no-Eki Namie location is the biggest Chansey-themed park, others can be found throughout Fukushima.
Chansey Park Locations
- Namie: Michi-no-Eki Namie
- Koriyama: Kaiseizan Park
- Showa: Michi-no-Eki Karamushiori-no-Sato Showa
- Yanaizu: Michi-no-Eki Yanaizu
Image courtesy of ©Michinoeki Iwate Kitasanriku | ©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Geodude Parks (Iwate Prefecture)
Pairing Iwate, whose name translates to “rock hand,” with Geodude — a rock-type Pokémon often described as a boulder — was a no-brainer. Following the official 2019 appointment of Geodude as the region’s Ambassadorial Pokémon, Iwate’s first Geodude-themed park opened in Kuji in 2023 as northern Tohoku’s inaugural Pokémon park. The park’s centerpiece, topped with rock-type characters, is a large rock-climbing structure featuring Geodude, Aerodactyl, Onix and the legendary Pokémon Ogerpon.
The park, known as Ishitsubute Park in Japanese, also has Tyrunt and Rockruff spring rockers, a Geodude swing and a seesaw that brilliantly looks like Geodude is lifting riders up into the air.
Image courtesy of ©Michinoeki Iwate Kitasanriku | ©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Geodude Park Locations
- Morioka: Hebiyashiki Central Park
- Kuji: Michi-no-Eki Iwate Kitasanriku
- Kitakami: Tenshochi Park
Image courtesy of @laplace_miyagi via X | ©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Lapras Parks (Miyagi Prefecture)
Lapras was the third Ambassadorial Pokémon to get its own themed park. In the anime, the highly intelligent pocket monster often acts as a ferry, carrying people and Pokémon across the sea on its back. Evoking the image of breezy sails and blue ocean waves, Lapras perfectly matches Miyagi Prefecture, with its picturesque shores overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The first Lapras Park opened in 2025 inside Moririn Kasenuma Park and boasts a blue ground material with white ripple detailing that mimics Lapras’ wake as it “swims.” The gentle giant at the center of the park measures 4 meters in height, and visitors can slide down its shell.
Smaller Lapras also adorn swings and rocking equipment, along with rideable Mantyke, Wailmer and Sharpedo equipment. Some Wigletts guard musical chimes that kids can have fun experimenting with. Peek inside the seashell dome to find one more Wiglett poking out from the ground.
The park even features a phone stand to help you get some cute photos with Lapras.
Lapras Park Locations
- Rifu: Moririn Kasenuma Park
- Sendai: Next to Aqua Ignis Sendai
Image courtesy of ©Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association All Rights Reserved |
©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Slowpoke Park (Kagawa Prefecture)
Slowpoke was assigned to Kagawa Prefecture because its Japanese name, Yadon, sounds a bit like “udon” — Kagawa’s specialty dish. Though udon can be ordered nearly anywhere in Japan, Kagawa has been nicknamed Japan’s udon capital, with over 600 noodle shops putting their own spin on the comforting classic. Even Kagawa’s official yuru kyara mascot, Udonnoww, is udon-crazy, having consumed so much of the dish that his brain became noodles.
Interestingly, Slowpoke and Kagawa also have a sugary connection — the pocket monster is known to secrete a syrupy sap from its tail while Kagawa is a world leader in rare sugar research.
Kagawa is home to the one and only Slowpoke-themed park, which is inhabited by many endearingly sluggish pink pocket monsters. One, a giant Slowpoke, lies comfortably on a hilltop, mouth agape and forming a tunnel perfect for exploring and photo ops. More Slowpokes can be found on park benches, swings, bridges and a rocking structure reminiscent of the Slowpoke Well from the Pokémon games. Multiple Shellders can also be spotted throughout the park.
Slowpoke Park Location
- Ayagawa: Hidamari Park Ayagawa
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Sandshrew Park (Tottori Prefecture)
Tottori, Japan’s least populated prefecture, is rich in serene, unspoiled landscapes, including mountain ranges, hot springs — and the largest sand dunes in the country. As the sand dunes are one of Tottori’s most renowned attractions, it’s no surprise that Sandshrew and Alolan Sandshrew were chosen as ambassadors.
Sandshrew Park is the first Pokémon-themed park in the Chugoku region. It’s also a bit different from the Pokémon parks in other regions, as it’s located inside Tottori Sakyu Kodomonokuni, a 19-hectare children’s amusement park and play area. Because of this, you will need to pay the Kodomonokuni admission fee in order to access Sandshrew Park. Ticket prices are reasonable, however, maxing out at ¥500 for high schoolers and above, with elementary school children free. Plus, Kodomonokuni provides visitors with plenty of other activities to enjoy after visiting Sandshrew Park.
Like the other Pokémon playgrounds, Sandshrew Park is filled with fun, themed equipment, including Sandshrew seesaws, rockers, slides and, of course, a big sandbox that also features Sandygast. Equipped with an array of shovels, buckets, watering cans and built-in systems for digging and construction, the sandbox is a definite highlight. You’ll also find a Bunnelby puzzle wall, a Phanpy slide and climbable structures.
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Sandshrew Park Location
- Tottori city: Chubu Tottori Sakyu Kodomonokuni grounds
Image courtesy of Mie Prefecture Tourism Federation ©All Rights Reserved | ©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Oshawott Parks (Mie Prefecture)
In coastal Mie Prefecture, the Ambassadorial Pokémon is Oshawott, a sea otter with a weaponized seashell on its belly. In addition to the ocean connection — Mie is famous for its bountiful seafood and shellfish — Mie’s kanji characters have the alternative reading of “Mijuu,” which is similar to Oshawott’s Japanese name, “Mijumaru.”
Mie saw two Oshawott Parks open simultaneously in 2025, with both boasting beautiful water views — one of Toba Bay and the other of Dohaku Pond — the perfect complement to the water-type Pokémon. Those headed to the Toba park will be greeted by Oshawott before they even reach the playground, as the pocket monster covers station signage, trains, buses and ferries in the area.
Both parks revolve around a giant play structure. Measuring 10 meters in height and with Oshawott peeking out over its summit, it features climbable netting and large slides. The playground also has an Oshawott swing, a seesaw and a spinning play piece modeled to look like a water fountain. There are also Dewgong rockers and small zip lines decorated with Oshawott’s “scalchop” shell.
Oshawott Park Locations
- Suzuka: Daisei Forest Park (Suzuka Youth Forest)
- Toba: Toba Port Sadahama Shinko Green Space (Toba Marine Terminal)
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Updated On June 5, 2026
