User:Rustle/Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
| Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo | ||||
 | ||||
| Location | Sunshine City Alpa, Toshima City, Tokyo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | April 25, 1998 (as Pokémon Center Tokyo)[1] | |||
| Mascot(s) | Miraidon & Pikachu | |||
| Type | Permanent | |||
Contact details
| ||||
Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is, along with Pokémon Center Osaka, the flagship Pokémon Center store. It originally opened as Pokémon Center Tokyo in April 1998, in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, and moved to Hamamatsuchō, Tokyo in July 2007. In December 2014, the store moved to Ikebukuro, Tokyo, and was renamed Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo.
The store is co-located with a Pokémon themed takeaway café called Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe, the Pokémon GO Lab and a Pokemon Card Station.
History
Pokémon Center Tokyo
The original Pokémon Center Tokyo opened on April 25, 1998[1] in the Kawasakiteitoku Building, Nihonbashi, Tokyo (where Creatures Inc. had their headquaters at the time[2]) and was the first ever location. A special Pokémon Center Tokyo Game Boy Light was available as a celebration of the opening and the release of the first Pokémon movie.
In January 2002, to celebrate the opening of Pokémon Center New York, special Pokémon Center Tokyo promo cards where given to customers who made purchases at the store.
On July 16, 2007 the original Pokémon Center Tokyo closed and on July 20, 2007 reopened in Hamamatsuchō, Tokyo.[3][4] To celebrate the opening of the store a special Pokémon Center Pikachu edition Nintendo DS Lite was available to purchase via a lottery system[5] and those visiting the new store on their birthday were promised a gift if they brought their Nintendo DS and a copy of Pokémon Diamond or Pearl. Also, a LaRousse's Munchlax promo card was given to those making purchases at the store.
As part of the Pokémon 10th Anniversary celebrations, a Pikachu promo card was given to customers between June 16, 2008 and July 31, 2008, depicting Pikachu and an image of the store.
Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
On December 7, 2014 the second Pokémon Center Tokyo closed, and on December 12, 2014 Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo opened at the Sunshine City mall[6] in Ikebukuro, Tokyo to replace it.[7][8] Between when the store closure was announced[9] and closing day, customers were awarded a Moving Pikachu sticker or clear file for purchases made.[10] In celeration of the opening, shiny Pikachu and Charizard Event Pokémon for Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were distributed on alternate hours at Pokémon Center stores across the country.[11] Also those making purchases at Pokémon Centers were awarded with a Mega Tokyo's Pikachu promo card,[12] and if a qualifying purchase was made they were entered into a Pokémon Center DE Mega Chance raffle. The grand prize was a "Kalos Region Pokémon Mega Stone Complete Set", a set containing the 28 Kalos Mega Stones to be used with the Pokémon Mega Ring toy, the second prize was a set of two commemorative Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo Opening tumblers and the third prize was a Diancite Mega Stone toy.[13] There was also a range of opening goods and merchandise to buy.[14]
On December 19, 2019 Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo expanded to include the first Pokémon GO Lab, a Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe and a new Pokémon Card Station.[15] These three extra areas are seperate units, on the same floor of the mall as the main store. The Pokémon GO Lab includes life-size statues of characters from the game, along with exclusive Pokémon GO merchandise.[16] The location is also a Gym in Pokémon GO, and in-game events are planned for the store.[17] Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe is a takeaway cafe with a range of Pokémon themed cakes, sweets and coffee as well as a selection of goods and souvenirs.[18] Pokémon Trading Card Game events are held every day at the purpose-built Pokémon Card Station and a "Pokémon Card Concierge" is on hand to answer any questions about the game.[19] A new children's play area themed after Pokémon Kids TV and Pichu opened at the same time within the Sunshine City mall in which Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is based.[15]
On December 20, 2019 it was announced that the main Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo store would close on January 14, 2020 until Spring 2020 for refurbishment. During this time the Pokémon GO Lab, Pikachu Sweets and the Pokémon Card Station remained open.[20] The store was originally scheduled to reopen on March 6, 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic this was delayed until June 1, 2020.[21] A range of celebratory merchandise was made available, themed around Pokémon and trainers gathering in a "peaceful spring park".[22] Upon reopening, the store's logo was changed to feature Zacian and Pikachu, in reference to Pokémon Sword and Shield, the then current core series games.
From February 14 to February 26, 2023 the store was partially closed (with a full closure on February 27, 2023) so the store could be renovated again.[23] This time, the store was themed to the Paldea region from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, with a Miraidon statue being added to the store entrance.[24] The store's logo was also updated to include Miraidon.
Timeline
- April 25, 1998 - Pokémon Center Tokyo opens in Nihonbashi, Tokyo
- July 20, 2007 - Pokémon Center Tokyo moves to Hamamatsuchō, Tokyo
- December 12, 2014 - Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo opens in Ikebukuro, Tokyo
- December 19, 2019 - Pokémon GO Lab, Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe and the Pokémon Card Station open
Exclusive merchandise
Mega Tokyo opening day merchandise
The following merchandise was available on opening day of Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo in commemoration of the event. The Pikachu Mega Charizard Y costume plush and the logo pin badge were only available at Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, while the other items were also available at other Pokémon Center stores in Japan.[14]
| Product list | ||
|---|---|---|
| Product | Japanese | Price |
| Plush toy | ぬいぐるみ | ¥2,000 |
| Plush toy (store exclusive version) | ぬいぐるみ 限定ver. | ¥2,000 |
| Mascot | マスコット | ¥900 |
| Hooded poncho | フード付きポンチョ | ¥3,600 |
| Logo pin badge | ロゴピンズ | ¥630 |
| Pin set | ピンズセット | ¥480 |
| Metal charm set | メタルチャームセット | ¥380 |
| Clear file set | クリアファイルセット | ¥280 |
| General-purpose notebook | じゆうちょう | ¥170 |
| A5 notebook (set of 2) | A5ノート（2冊セット） | ¥580 |
| Mechanical pencil with figurine | フィギュア付きシャープペンシル | ¥650 |
| Ballpoint pen with figurine | フィギュア付きボールペン | ¥650 |
| Seal | シール | ¥350 |
| Sticker | ステッカー | ¥300 |
| Netsuke strap | 根付ストラップ | ¥600 |
| Purse | 巾着 | ¥560 |
| Pikachu in a purse | 巾着 のピカチュウ | ¥560 |
| Handkerchief | ハンカチ | ¥340 |
| Microfiber towel | マイクロファイバータオル | ¥650 |
| Pass holder | パスケース | ¥800 |
| OUTDOOR backpack | OUTDOOR デイパック | ¥8,200 |
| OUTDOOR duffel bag | OUTDOOR ロールボストン | ¥8,200 |
| OUTDOOR kid's backpack | OUTDOOR キッズデイパック | ¥6,400 |
| OUTDOOR duffel bag (small) | OUTDOOR ロールボストン（小） | ¥6,800 |
| OUTDOOR daypack pouch | OUTDOOR デイパック型ポーチ | ¥2,480 |
| Black melamine cup | メラミンカップBK | ¥600 |
| White melamine cup | メラミンカップWT | ¥600 |
| Music box | オルゴール | ¥6,000 |
| Cookie tin | クッキー缶 | ¥980 |
Pikachu Mega Charizard Y costume plush
Store logo pin badge
Handkerchief, clear file, cups, pass case, notebook, purses, pin set & charm
OUTDOOR bags
Cookie tin
Hooded poncho
Pokémon Center DE Mega Chance raffle
The following items were the prizes for the Pokémon Center DE Mega Chance raffle.[13]
Kalos Region Pokémon Mega Stone complete set
Opening commemorative tumblers
Diancite Mega Stone
Promo cards
Pokémon Center Tokyo promo card
LaRousse's Munchlax promo card
Pikachu Pokémon Center 10th Anniversary promo card
Mega Tokyo's Pikachu promo card
Iconography
Pokémon Center Tokyo window display
Mega Charizard Y and Pikachu statue at Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
Mega Charizard X statue at Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
Previous logos
Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo's current logo features a Pikachu riding a Miraidon.
Original Pokémon Center Tokyo logo featuring Poliwhirl, Pikachu and Charmander
Second Pokémon Center Tokyo logo featuring Piplup, Pikachu and Charmander
Third Pokémon Center Tokyo logo featuring Froakie, Pikachu and Charmander
First Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo logo featuring Mega Charizard Y and Pikachu
Second Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo logo featuring Zacian and Pikachu
Pokémon GO Lab
Pokémon GO Lab is...
The lab features life-size statues of Professor Willow, Team Instinct's leader Spark, Team Mystic's leader Blanche and Team Valor's leader Candela.
Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe
- Main article: Pokémon Cafe § Pikachu Sweets
Pokemon Card Station
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 History - The Pokémon Company (accessed November 26, 2023)
- ↑ Welcome to Creatures Inc. homepage - Creatures Inc. (Japanese) (archived from the original April 1, 2001; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Pokémon Center Tokyo moving to new location - Bulbanews (accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Pokemon Center Tokyo is opening! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original August 11, 2007; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ The Pokémon Centre Tokyo relocation commemorative "Pokémon Centre Original Nintendo DS Lite Pikachu Edition" is now available!! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original July 2, 2007; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO - Sunshine City (accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ “Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo” will open in Ikebukuro Sunshine City Alpa 2F! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original March 27, 2007; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Pokémon Center Tokyo moving and reopening as Mega Tokyo - Bulbanews (accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Pokemon Center Tokyo has undergone a mega evolution!? The new name is "Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo"! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original October 18, 2014; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ At Pokemon Center Tokyo, a fun project before the game begins! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original October 16, 2014; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ To commemorate the opening of Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, a "Mega Campaign" will be held at Pokémon Centers nationwide, starting on Friday, December 12, 2014! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original April 14, 2015; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Shop at Pokémon Centers nationwide and get yours! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original January 28, 2015; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 By purchasing eligible products, you can enter the "Pokémon Center DE Mega Chance" lottery to win gorgeous prizes! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original January 28, 2015; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Mega campaign commemorative goods exclusive to Pokémon Center are on sale! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original February 18, 2015; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo expands space and powers up!) - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Goods inspired by the world of "Pokémon GO" are now available at the Pokémon Center! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original May 2, 2020; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ “Pokémon GO Lab.”, The official space for “Pokémon GO”, is born! - Pokémon Center Voice (Japanese) (accessed January 7, 2020)
- ↑ Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ What is Pokémon Card Station? - Pokémon Card Japan (Japanese) (accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo has been renovated and will have a grand opening in spring 2020! - Pokémon Center Voice (Japanese) (accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo has its grand opening! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (accessed November 29, 2023)
- ↑ Goods commemorating the grand opening of Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo are now available at the Pokémon Center! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (archived from the original March 11, 2020; accessed November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Notice regarding store renewal construction - Pokémon Staff Voice (Japanese) (accessed November 29, 2023)
- ↑ Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and Pokémon Center Osaka have been renewed! - Pokémon Japan (Japanese) (accessed November 29, 2023)
