A new Pokémon-themed footbath facility has opened in Wakura Onsen, marking a hopeful new chapter in the recovery of the hot spring town following the devastating Noto Peninsula earthquake in 2024. Opened on May 12, the renovated Wakura Pokémon Footbath in Nanao city transforms the footbath area inside the damaged Yuttari Park into a colorful attraction filled with character decor and sculptures. The project was developed in collaboration with the Pokémon With You foundation.
Local kindergarten children were invited to become the footbath’s very first visitors. Sitting beside Pokémon statues and dangling their feet in the warm spring water, they smiled, chatted and pointed excitedly at their favorite characters. For many residents, the scene was a moving reminder of the warmth and liveliness slowly returning to the town.
A Footbath Filled With Pokémon and Views of Nanao Bay
The new Wakura Pokémon Footbath blends the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional Japanese onsen town with playful Pokémon touches throughout the space.
The footbath itself stretches roughly 15 metres long and uses natural hot spring water from Wakura Onsen. Around the bath sit several Pokémon sculptures, many of them water-themed characters chosen to match the coastal setting. A specially designed hot water spout features Gyarados, while the shoji-style windows are decorated with Pokémon artwork.
Visitors can soak their feet while looking out toward Nanao Bay, making it an ideal place to slow down and unwind.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Wakura Onsen Tourism Association chairman Kazuhiro Okuda told Hokkoku News the collaboration “came together beautifully. He added, “We hope many people from across Japan and around the world will visit. It truly feels like a wonderful new facility has opened.”
The new attraction is also expected to encourage more travelers to return to Wakura Onsen, where the local tourism industry is still steadily rebuilding.
Wakura Pokémon Footbath Hours and Prices
The facility is completely free to use. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with parking available nearby.
Location: Yuttari Park, Nanao City
Recovery in Noto Is Still Ongoing
Although life has gradually returned to parts of the Noto Peninsula, the recovery is still far from complete.
The 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake caused extensive damage across Ishikawa Prefecture, particularly in communities that depended heavily on tourism. In Wakura Onsen, many ryokan inns and businesses were forced to suspend operations after sustaining structural damage. At one point, every inn in the hot spring town was temporarily closed.
Today, some activity has returned. Several ryokan have reopened, along with public bathhouses and local shops, though many buildings are still under repair and the road to full recovery remains long.
The Pokémon collaboration is also linked to broader revitalization efforts in the region. Throughout northern Noto, Pokémon-themed “Poké Lids” — decorative manhole covers found around Japan — have been installed to encourage tourism and exploration. In Nanao, the designs feature Gyarados alongside Poliwag and Politoed.
Visit Wakura Onsen’s official website (in Japanese only) for more info.
