Looking for a Pokémon-themed trip beyond Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto?
Then why not head to Hokuriku?
Located on the Sea of Japan coast, the Hokuriku region is known for traditional culture, beautiful scenery, local food, and historic towns. It is also home to some surprisingly fun Pokémon experiences.
Hokuriku consists of three prefectures:
- Ishikawa
- Toyama
- Fukui
And each offers something different for Pokémon fans.
You can visit Pokémon Center Kanazawa, hunt for Pokémon manhole covers, explore Fukui’s Dragonite-themed attractions, and discover Pokémon-related places around Toyama.
But there is now another reason to visit Hokuriku.
In 2026, Noto Satoyama Airport in Ishikawa was transformed into the world’s first airport to officially carry the Pokémon name.
The airport became the Noto Satoyama Pokémon with YOU Airport for a limited period, creating a brand-new reason to include Noto in your Pokémon adventure.
So let’s explore the best Pokémon-related places in Hokuriku and see how you can combine them into a real trip.
Pokémon Center Kanazawa
If you’re visiting Hokuriku and love Pokémon, Pokémon Center Kanazawa is probably the easiest place to start.
The store is located on the 5th floor of Kanazawa FORUS, just a one-minute walk from JR Kanazawa Station.
That makes it particularly convenient if you’re arriving by the Hokuriku Shinkansen or transferring through Kanazawa.
You can find Pokémon games, plush toys, stationery, clothing, Pokémon Card products, and plenty of other merchandise.
The store also has Kanazawa-specific designs and products, making it a fun place to pick up souvenirs.
The Pokémon associated with Pokémon Center Kanazawa is Milotic, whose elegant appearance fits beautifully with Kanazawa’s traditional culture and refined atmosphere.
You may also find special events and campaigns at the store, so check the official Pokémon Center website before your visit.
Where to Stay in Kanazawa
Kanazawa is a convenient base for exploring Ishikawa, combining Pokémon attractions with traditional streets, gardens, museums, and local food.
Planning an overnight stay? Check hotels in Kanazawa on Trip.com.
Ishikawa: Pokémon and the Noto Peninsula
Kanazawa isn’t the only place in Ishikawa worth visiting.
If you’re interested in Pokémon and want to explore somewhere less conventional, head north to the Noto Peninsula.
And in 2026, there is a particularly exciting reason to go.
Noto Satoyama Pokémon with YOU Airport
The Noto Satoyama Airport has been temporarily transformed into the Noto Satoyama Pokémon with YOU Airport.
It opened on July 7, 2026, and is scheduled to continue until September 30, 2029.
It is the world’s first airport to officially carry the Pokémon name.
The project was created as part of efforts to support the recovery of the Noto Peninsula following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake and to encourage tourism to the region.
So this isn’t simply a Pokémon decoration project.
It is also part of a larger effort to bring visitors back to Noto and support the region’s recovery.
What Can You See at the Pokémon Airport?
The entire airport has been given a Pokémon makeover.
In the arrival lobby, you’ll find large Pokémon objects featuring Pikachu, Plusle, and Minun, along with artwork created to support Noto’s recovery.
Look up into the second-floor atrium and you’ll find a huge Pikachu and airplane balloon surrounded by Pokémon flying through the air.
And here’s the fun part:
111 different Flying-type Pokémon are featured throughout the airport.
That gives Pokémon fans a little treasure hunt while they explore the building.
There are also Pokémon decorations around the airport exterior, Pokémon-themed signs, original merchandise, a Pokémon-themed restaurant menu, and other photo opportunities.
At the observation deck, look for Pikachu’s Satoyama, where Pikachu appears to be enjoying the natural scenery of Noto.
There is also a Poké Lid outside the airport featuring Tatsubay and Salamence.
How to Get to Noto Satoyama Pokémon with YOU Airport
The airport has direct flights from Haneda Airport.
For the 2026 summer/autumn timetable, ANA operates flights between Haneda and Noto Satoyama Airport, with two flights in each direction on many days.
Flight schedules can change, so check the latest information before booking your trip.
The airport is also connected with other parts of Noto by buses, taxis, and rental cars.
If you want to explore several Pokémon locations around the peninsula, renting a car is particularly convenient.
Pokémon Transportation Around Noto
The Pokémon airport is designed to be more than an attraction that you visit and immediately leave.
It is also intended as a starting point for exploring the Noto Peninsula.
Pokémon-wrapped buses connect the airport with other destinations, including a Pokémon-wrapped express bus service between Kanazawa, the airport, and Wajima.
A new sightseeing bus service also connects the airport with Pokémon-related destinations around Noto.
This makes the airport especially interesting for travelers who want to turn Pokémon hunting into a proper road trip.
Pokémon Spots Around Noto
Once you’re in Noto, there are several Pokémon-related places to look for.
These include:
- Pokémon-themed decorations at Anamizu Station
- Pokémon with YOU Train on the Noto Railway
- Wakura Pokémon Foot Bath
- Poké Lids
- Pokémon monuments and artwork
- Noto’s Pokémon-themed sightseeing spots
The Wakura Pokémon Foot Bath, which opened in May 2026, is another new addition.
It combines one of Noto’s traditional attractions — hot springs — with Pokémon.
If you like the idea of combining Pokémon with local Japanese culture, this is exactly the kind of place worth visiting.
Where to Stay in Noto
Exploring the Noto Peninsula takes time, so staying overnight can make your Pokémon adventure much more relaxed. Wakura Onsen is worth considering if you want to combine sightseeing with a traditional Japanese hot spring experience.
Check accommodation options around Wakura Onsen on Trip.com.
Toyama: Find Pokémon Around the City
Toyama may not be as famous for Pokémon tourism as Ishikawa or Fukui, but it has become an interesting stop for Pokémon fans.
One of the easiest things to do is search for Poké Lids around Toyama City.
Toyama’s Poké Lids
Toyama City currently has three Poké Lids.
You can find them at:
- Fugan Canal Park
- Toyama Castle Park
- Toyama Performing Arts Park
The designs feature Pokémon such as Inkay, Ledian, Comfey, and Absol.
Because the Poké Lids are located at existing sightseeing spots, you can easily combine Pokémon hunting with a normal day of sightseeing.
For example, Fugan Canal Park is close to Toyama Station, while Toyama Castle Park is right in the center of the city.
So you don’t need to dedicate an entire day to Pokémon.
You can simply add a little Pokémon hunting to your Toyama itinerary.
And if you play Pokémon GO, the Poké Lids are also registered as PokéStops.
Fukui: Meet Dragonite
Fukui has a very different Pokémon theme.
Its official support Pokémon is Dragonite.
Why Dragonite?
Fukui is famous for dinosaurs, and the prefecture is also associated with the Kuzuryu River and many place names containing the Japanese character for “dragon.”
So Dragonite is a surprisingly good match for Fukui.
Find Dragonite Poké Lids
You can find Dragonite-themed Poké Lids around Fukui.
These are a fun way to explore the prefecture because they encourage you to visit different towns rather than staying only in Fukui City.
If you’re already traveling around Fukui for dinosaur-related attractions, keep an eye out for Dragonite along the way.
Ride the Echizen Railway Kairyu Train
Fukui also has a Pokémon-themed train.
The Echizen Railway Kairyu Train is wrapped with designs featuring Dragonite, Fukui’s official support Pokémon.
The train was originally scheduled to finish operating in March 2026, but its operating period was extended because of its popularity.
However, the train has been temporarily suspended since August 20, 2026, for regular vehicle inspection.
A restart date has not yet been announced, so check the latest information from Echizen Railway before making it part of your itinerary.
This is a good example of why you should always check current schedules before traveling specifically for a Pokémon train.
Combine Pokémon with Fukui’s Dinosaur Attractions
If you’re interested in both Pokémon and dinosaurs, Fukui is an obvious choice.
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama is one of the highlights of the prefecture and makes a natural companion to a Dragonite-themed trip.
You could spend part of your trip hunting for Dragonite and Poké Lids, then visit one of Japan’s best dinosaur museums.
It’s an unusual combination, but that’s exactly what makes Fukui fun.
Where to Stay in Fukui
If you’re combining Dragonite-themed attractions with the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, staying overnight in Fukui can give you more time to explore without rushing.
Find hotels in Fukui on Trip.com.
Poké Lids: A Fun Way to Explore Hokuriku
One of the easiest ways to add Pokémon to a Hokuriku trip is by searching for Poké Lids.
These are Pokémon-themed manhole covers installed in different locations around Japan.
Each design is unique and often reflects the local area.
Rather than simply being tourist attractions, they can take you to parks, train stations, roadside stations, shopping areas, and other parts of local communities.
That’s why I particularly like Poké Lid hunting.
It gives you a reason to explore beyond the obvious tourist attractions.
If you’re planning a larger Pokémon trip around Japan, check out my complete guide to Poké Lids for more locations.
How to Plan a Pokémon Trip in Hokuriku
You don’t need to visit every Pokémon location in all three prefectures.
Hokuriku is a large region, and some Pokémon spots are spread quite far apart.
Instead, choose your base and build your trip around it.
Option 1: Kanazawa Pokémon Trip
This is the easiest option for first-time visitors.
Stay in Kanazawa and visit:
- Pokémon Center Kanazawa
- Kanazawa’s traditional sightseeing areas
- Nearby Poké Lids
- Other attractions in Ishikawa
Kanazawa is also an excellent base for combining Pokémon with traditional Japanese culture.
You can visit Kenrokuen, explore the historic Higashi Chaya District, eat local seafood, and still have plenty of time for Pokémon.
Option 2: Noto Pokémon Adventure
If you want something more unusual, head to Noto.
Fly from Haneda to Noto Satoyama Pokémon with YOU Airport, explore the airport, and then continue around the peninsula by rental car or bus.
You can combine:
Noto Satoyama Pokémon with YOU Airport → Anamizu → Wakura Onsen → other Noto Pokémon spots
This is probably the most unique Pokémon itinerary in Hokuriku right now.
And because the airport is scheduled to remain Pokémon-themed until September 2029, you have a relatively long window to experience it.
Option 3: Fukui Pokémon & Dinosaur Trip
Stay in Fukui and combine:
Dragonite → Poké Lids → Dinosaur Museum
If the Kairyu Train has resumed service by the time you visit, you can add that to the itinerary as well.
Option 4: Explore All Three Prefectures
If you have several days, you can create a larger Hokuriku Pokémon trip:
Kanazawa → Toyama → Fukui
This works particularly well if you’re traveling through Hokuriku by train.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen connects Tokyo with the region, making Hokuriku much easier to reach than it once was.
You could also add Noto to the trip if you have enough time.
Just remember that Noto is geographically large, and traveling around the peninsula takes more time than simply moving between major cities.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Hokuriku for Pokémon?
There isn’t really a single “Pokémon season.”
The best time depends on what else you want to see.
Spring
Spring is a beautiful time to visit Hokuriku, especially if you want to combine Pokémon hunting with cherry blossoms.
Summer
Summer is a good time for exploring the region’s coastline and outdoor attractions.
Autumn
Autumn is ideal for combining Pokémon hunting with colorful foliage and local sightseeing.
Winter
Winter can bring heavy snow to Hokuriku.
If you don’t mind cold weather, however, the snowy scenery can make for a completely different Pokémon adventure.
Just remember to allow extra travel time and check transportation conditions during periods of heavy snowfall.
Pokémon and the Hokuriku Region
What I like about Pokémon travel in Hokuriku is that it doesn’t feel like visiting a single Pokémon attraction.
Instead, Pokémon are woven into the region itself.
In Ishikawa, you can combine Pokémon with Kanazawa’s traditional culture and Noto’s recovery and natural landscapes.
In Toyama, you can search for Poké Lids while exploring the city.
In Fukui, Dragonite fits naturally into a trip focused on dinosaurs and the region’s unique geography.
And now, with the Noto Satoyama Pokémon with YOU Airport, Pokémon can literally be the starting point of your journey.
If you’re interested in exploring more Pokémon destinations in Japan, check out my guides to my Pokémon trip in Tohoku for more ideas.
Final Thoughts
Hokuriku is a great choice if you’ve already visited the major Pokémon destinations in Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto and want something different.
You can shop at Pokémon Center Kanazawa, hunt for Poké Lids, meet Dragonite in Fukui, explore Toyama, or make the Noto Peninsula the centerpiece of your trip.
And if you’re visiting between 2026 and 2029, don’t miss the chance to see the Noto Satoyama Pokémon with YOU Airport.
Pokémon might be the reason you start exploring Hokuriku.
But the history, food, scenery, and local communities are what will make you want to stay.
So grab your Pokédex and get ready to discover a different side of Japan!
Gotta Catch ‘Em All in Hokuriku!
Planning Your Pokémon Trip to Hokuriku?
Ready to explore Hokuriku beyond its Pokémon attractions? Choose a convenient base, enjoy the local food and scenery, and give yourself enough time to discover the region.
- Planning to explore Ishikawa? Check hotels in Kanazawa on Trip.com.
- Heading to Noto? Look for accommodation around Wakura Onsen.
- Visiting Fukui? Compare hotels in Fukui before your trip.
You can also compare accommodation options through Rakuten Travel.