There will soon be a Pokémon airport in Japan.Image: Noto Satoyama Airport
May 21, 2026, 9:50 a.mMay 21, 2026, 9:50 a.m
The Pokémon universe will soon have another attraction. From summer onwards, Noto Airport in the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa will be called “Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport” and will be the first airport in the world with the fantasy creatures in its name, as the prefectural government proudly announced.
Pikachu is particularly prominent in this room.Image: Noto Satoyama Airport
Inspired by the globally popular monster figures, the area will be redesigned accordingly. The project is part of efforts to revitalize the Noto Peninsula, which was hit by a devastating earthquake and heavy rains in 2024.
This is what the arrivals hall looks like on the 1st floor.Image: Noto Satoyama Airport
At the reopening on July 7th, passengers can expect, among other things, a large balloon floating in the air in the shape of Pikachu on a plane, surrounded by countless Pokémon characters on the walls. A total of 111 flying Pokémon decorate the airport grounds, plus Pikachu, Plusle and Minun as 3D monuments and merchandise shops. The airport will use the new name until September 30, 2029.
Pokémon is supposed to help earthquake region
The small regional airport is currently called Noto Satoyama Airport. It is only used for domestic flights and primarily connects the Noto Peninsula with Tokyo. The governor of Ishikawa, Yukiyoshi Yamano, told Japanese media: “I want to give the children in Noto an exciting experience and give them as much strength as possible.” The campaign is also intended to attract many tourists.
The Pokémon are also omnipresent outdoors.Image: Noto Satoyama Airport
According to Japanese media reports, other projects in the former disaster area include the installation of manhole covers with Pokémon motifs and the opening of foot baths decorated with Pokémon figures.
Video: Watson/Michael Shepherd
The name Pokémon is a contraction of the English words “Pocket” and “Monster” – i.e. “pocket monster”. The brightly colored characters became known through the games of the Japanese video game company Nintendo. (dab/sda/dpa)