
Ever wonder what type of bait you should use when hunting for your very own Pikachu? Apparently the answer is ketchup, at least if we’re going by what Japanese food and beverage company Kagome is telling us about the preferences of the most famous of all Pokémon.
Kagome just kicked off its Pikachu Loves Ketchup promotion, and shoppers who buy the company’s sauces can redeem proofs of purchase for adorable Pikachu ketchup bottle toppers plus a chance to win an exclusive Pikachu plate or stuffed animal.
To get your hands on these unique Pikachu specimens, you won’t have to wander the country or go tossing Poké balls around. Instead, you’ll need to hunt down applicable Kagome products, remove their bar codes, and mail them in to the company.
Kagome actually has a ton of different ketchup varieties, but it looks like they’re all part of this special offer. Specifically, bar codes from Kagome’s tomato ketchup, tomato ketchup half, organic tomato ketchup, tomato ketchup for adults, and tomato ketchup premium can all be used, as well as those from the company’s Worcester, tonkatsu, Chinese-style, and fragrant stir-fry sauces.
Sending in three bar codes automatically gets you one of four Pikachu Kagome ketchup squeeze bottle caps, selected at random.
▼ Unfortunately, unlike the Pokémon games, you can’t just go back and save scum if you don’t get the exact one you want.
In addition, you can apply for one of two other prizes which Kagome will be holding drawings for, giving away 1,000 of each. Those who send in one bar code will have a chance at being randomly selected for a Pikachu rice omelet plate, which is appropriate since the egg-wrapped dish is usually as bright yellow as Pikachu himself and seasoned with ketchup.
▼ Kagome’s website even gives instructions on how to draw the little guy’s face.
Or, if you’re sending in three bar codes, you can apply for the exclusive Kagome Pikachu stuffed animal.
▼ The plate (left) and stuffed animal (right), which proves that Pikachu is heart-meltingly cute even when doing something as mundane as holding condiments.
Would-be Pokémon Masters of the dinner table can download the entry card to be mailed in with the bar codes here. The promotion runs from now until August 31, meaning that if you make Kagome your go-to brand for your summer barbeques, you should have a nice little stable of Pocket Monsters to show for it.
Sources: Kagome (1, 2) via Inside Games, Jin
Top image: Kagome
Insert images: Kagome





New Pikachu plushie cozies up inside ketchup bottle, looks so cute that we could eat him right up
Pikachu teams up with popular ketchup maker for cute prize giveaway in Japan
Gotta stack ’em all! Collect and play with these adorable stackable pokémon
Gotta deep-fry ‘em all! Pikachu cutlet on a stick being sold by Korean food stalls, online shop
I see dead Pikachus! Fashion magazine reader comes up with dark take on freebie Pokémon pouch
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
“Pepsi Ghost” brings a mysterious new flavor for Halloween in Japan
Lawson adds UFO Catcher crane games to convenience stores in Japan
Dry and iron your laundry hands-free and fast with Village Vanguard’s hot air bag clothes dryer
What’s in a Family Mart lucky bag?
We fulfill a childhood dream with giant wafers at the Hiratsuka Seika factory shop
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Osaka establishes first designated smoking area in Dotonbori canal district to fight “overtourism”
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
Playing Switch 2 games with just one hand is possible thanks to Japanese peripheral maker
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
New Pokémon Center megastore set to open at Tokyo Skytree this summer!
Gotta eat ‘em all with this awesome new Poké Ball bento box
New Pikachu-in-Pokémon-sleeping-bag plushies will keep fans’ hearts warm all winter long
Catch ’em all again! New Pokémon Switch game anticipated to be released as early as this year
Pikachu and Eevee will give YOU hugs with these awesomely adorable new Pokémon pillows
We’re giving away Pikachu ramen in the RocketNews24 reader contest!
Do you want to hug a Snow Pikachu? Special Christmas-version Pokémon plushies coming soon
All 151 original Pokémon now available as Tokyo Pokémon Cafe latte art, and you choose your own
Zzz…zzz…pika…pika – The Pikachu bed is here!
New line of paired boy/girl Pikachu plushies kicks off with couple in Japanese school uniforms
Tokyo just got a brand-new Pokémon megastore, and here’s a massive look at its exclusive items
Round 2 of the Pokémon Happy Meal toys at McDonald’s is here! Will you collect ’em all?
Pokémon Center megastores give you 3 cool birthday bonuses if you shop during your birthday month
Exclusive Pokémon dishware being offered with brand-new Pokémon donuts in Japan