Pokémon Go in Japan: We discover a “Pikachu forest” in Tokyo!

Three Pikachu and 15 other types of Pokémon were discovered in this well-known Tokyo park in just 30 minutes!

Just as Mr. Sato was making his way around the city’s top sightseeing spots in an attempt to catch ’em all as soon as Pokémon Go was released, another member of our Japanese writing team, P.K. Sanjun, took a more leisurely approach to the game, heading to a park near the office on a tip from social media users, who praised the area as a haven for the creatures in the game.

▼ The fabled sanctuary for Pikachu and his otherworldly friends: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden has a long history that can be dated back to Lord Naito, who created the garden back in 1772 after receiving the land from the ruling shogun. In 1879, the grounds were turned over to the Imperial Household Agency of Japan before being opened to the public in 1949, shortly after it was rebuilt following air raids at the end of World War II. Now, in 2016, the expansive patch of nature is home to a huge number of cheeky Pokémon, with P.K. confirming their populous existence after spending just half an hour in the area.

▼ After paying the 200 yen (US$1.88) admission fee, P.K. walked down the path and couldn’t believe it when he immediately spotted the normally elusive Pikachu!

▼ After capturing not one, not two, but three of the cute bright yellow Pokémon, P.K. immediately decided to crown the area as Tokyo’s “Pikachu Forest”.

▼ Sensing the area would be a hotbed of activity, P.K. used incense to help draw out even more Pokémon.

After thirty minutes in the park, he’d captured an impressive sixteen different types of Pokémon, including the three Pikachu. Let’s take a look at his collection below.

▼ Doduo

▼ Psyduck

▼ Cubone

▼ Horsea

▼ Gastly

▼ Krabby

▼ Goldeen

▼ Staryu

▼ Weedle

▼ Nidoran♂

▼ Nidoran♀

▼ Spearow

▼ Caterpie

▼ Pinsir

▼ Magikarp

▼ Pikachu!

▼ After discovering three Pikachu, P.K. received a special medal.

▼ And as an added bonus, on the way back to the office from the park, P.K. also stumbled upon Exeggcute…

▼ …and Zubat!

Needless to say, P.K. returned to the office one happy trainer, recommending the park to everyone as the best place to pick up some Pokémon during a quick lunch break.

According to P.K., the 200 yen admission fee is worth every yen. Not only do you get to catch a good batch of Pokémon, you get to enjoy the beautiful, relaxing park scenery at the same time. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop in and see what you can find!

Park Information
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden/新宿御苑
Address: Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Naitomachi 11
東京都新宿区内藤町11
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (last entry 4:00 p.m.)
Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday) and December 29 to January 3
No closing days during cherry blossom season (late March to late April) and the Chrysanthemum Exhibition (first half of November).
Admission: 200 yen

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