Pokemon fans in love with new Pikachu merch but there’s a disappointing catch

There’s a new batch of incredible Pokemon merch on the way in April but, unless you’re based in Tokyo, it may be pretty hard to get your hands on it.

There are plenty of amazing places to get Pokemon merch and trading cards, and some of the best stores can be found in Japan. The Pokemon Center in Tokyo Bay is exceptionally popular and, at the time of writing, it’s closed until April.

The Pokemon Company has announced that there will be some incredible merch up for grabs when it reopens, featuring fan-favorite ‘mons like Pikachu and Ampharos. It could be tricky to get your hands on it unless you’re based in Tokyo, though.

Pokemon merch announced for Pokemon Center reopening

As announced in this official post on the Pokemon Center Japan website, the Pokemon Center in Tokyo Bay shut on March 4th and it will be reopening on the 12th of April this year. For the first three days, there will be entry restrictions in the store.

The store has been closed for renovations and redecoration. One of the most exciting things about this closure is that there will be new merchandise released exclusively at the store when it reopens, as shared in this X post by PokeJungle.

The collection of merchandise features Pikachu, Ampharos, and Marill, along with a few other Pokemon like Wingull in the background of certain products. There will be plushes, keychains, and bags, all with an adorable, beach day vibe.

Fans were excited to see the artwork and merchandise for the reopening event, with one person replying, “I hope we can get this in the USA.” Pokemon plushes are exceptionally popular, so it’s likely that the Leisure Pikachu plushes will sell out very quickly.

Based on what we know about the reopening, it’s safe to say that these products will be exclusive to the Pokemon Center in Tokyo Bay. There will also be a gift campaign taking place during the reopening of the store, running from the 12th of April to the 29th of April.

During this campaign, if someone spends 3,000 Yen or more, they will receive a copy of the clear file shown below. Marill and Ampharos are the mascots of the Tokyo Bay Pokemon Center, and the file features a very cute, summery design.

The Pokemon Company

Clear file from Pokemon Center Tokyo Bay.

This is an A4 plastic file that could be used to store documents or artwork, and it follows the theming of the merchandise shown above nicely.

While it’s likely that some of the Tokyo Bay merch will pop up on resale platforms, it will be pretty tricky to get your hands on them unless you attend the store in person. Keep an eye on your favorite resellers and online stores if you’re keen to get your hands on these items on the 12th of April.