Dec. 21, 2008
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What surprises me most about the Tokyo Pokemon Center is how nonchalant everyone is. The place is not big, maybe about the size of a 7-11, but it is still the biggest Pokemon exclusive store in the world, and in the heart of the nation that spawned the entire franchise. And yet I’m the only tourist there, and the only one who seems to be gawking.
Don’t get me wrong, the place is crowded. Very much so. But all the Japanese customers are just milling about quietly, filling their shopping baskets with dolls and tea towels, as if shopping for Pokemon knick knacks was as mundane and regular as shopping for batteries. The snotty little Japanese children point their fat little fingers at the things they want, and their bored parents pull the boxes from the shelf. Many of the children are playing Pokemon at the store itself, it should be noted.
It’s hard to capture the majesty of this place in photos, but as soon as I entered, I felt as if I had entered the very soul of Japan itself.
Here’s me by the entrance. The Center is just located in some rather ordinary mall-ish place that houses mostly restaurants. It’s even not downtown or anything.
The children all sit together outside the shop, playing their DSes.
And here’s an establishing shot of what it looks like inside.
And here’s some man shopping. Ho hum, he says to himself, how many Turtwigs did the wife say to pick up again?
They have Pokemon everything, as you might imagine. Even corn soup.
They have one wall that is nothing but individually packaged figures of every Pokemon ever. I liked this wall.
This child is playing DS in the store. Because, you know, being at the friggin Pokemon Center is not entertaining enough.
Here’s another one, playing DS by the Chimchar toliet paper. I mean, come on kid, have some respect for where you are.
