World's First Pokémon Airport Opens in Japan's Noto Region

Japan is opening the world’s first officially Pokémon-themed airport on 7 July 2026, when Noto Satoyama Airport in Ishikawa Prefecture will be temporarily renamed Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport. The transformation runs through 30 September 2029, giving travellers more than three years to visit one of Japan’s most distinctive regional tourism attractions.

The project is a partnership between Ishikawa Prefecture and the Pokémon With You Foundation, a charity established to support communities affected by the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. The initiative uses the power of the Pokémon franchise to draw visitors to a region that suffered severe damage in the disaster and has been working toward recovery ever since.

The airport itself has been reimagined throughout. The observation deck is filled with Pikachu figures set against a satoyama (rural landscape) backdrop, and all 111 Flying-type Pokémon confirmed as of May 2026 are represented across the terminal’s decorations. A large Pikachu-and-airplane balloon dominates the two-storey atrium. The airport restaurant serves a specially developed Pokémon-themed menu, and a dedicated merchandise shop stocks exclusive items bearing the airport’s logo.

Three original short films are available to watch inside the terminal, and a new express bus route links Kanazawa Station, the airport, and Wajima City once daily, making a day trip from Kanazawa straightforward. From Kanazawa, the drive to Noto Satoyama Airport takes around 90 minutes by road.

For travellers already planning an Ishikawa Prefecture trip, this adds a compelling reason to route through Noto rather than flying directly into Kanazawa. Regular flights from Tokyo (Haneda) serve the airport. Combining the Pokémon airport with Wajima’s morning market, the Noto coastline, and a night in one of the peninsula’s traditional ryokan makes a strong three-day itinerary from Kanazawa. Kanazawa tours and day trips are worth booking in advance during peak season.

The timing aligns with Japan’s broader push to disperse tourism away from over-visited cities. We cover tips for getting around the country efficiently in our Japan rail pass guide, including how to reach Ishikawa Prefecture by train from Tokyo or Osaka. Our Japan travel tips page includes up-to-date information on entry requirements and what to prepare before you fly.

Detailed information on things to do in Kanazawa is also available, covering the historic Kenroku-en garden, the Higashi Chaya geisha district, and Kanazawa’s well-regarded food scene — all easy to combine with a Noto day trip.