Gotemba Outlet Pokémon Store Guide: What to Buy and What to Expect
If you're a Pokémon fan visiting Japan, the Pokémon Store at Gotemba Premium Outlets deserves a spot on your itinerary. It's tucked inside EAST ZONE, and the moment you spot the sign and the window full of plushies, it's hard not to walk in.
What makes this store worth the visit isn't just nostalgia — it's the selection. The Pokémon Store carries a curated range of products from Pokémon Center's catalog of 5,000+ items, including plushies, Pokémon cards, phone cases, and limited seasonal goods you won't easily find at home. There's even a Pokémon card vending machine, which always catches people off guard.
▲ The Pokémon Store in EAST ZONE — easy to spot, hard to walk past
One thing to set expectations on: this is not an outlet-priced store. "Outlet" refers to the mall, not the pricing. Items are sold at standard Pokémon Center prices — but as a foreign visitor, you can get tax-free shopping, which does save you 10%. More on that below.
目次(Table of Contents)
Quick Facts: Pokémon Store at Gotemba Outlet
| Store Name | Pokemon Store（ポケモンストア） |
| Zone / Block | EAST ZONE 2630 |
| Category | Character goods / lifestyle |
| TEL | 0550-88-8991 |
| Official Site | Store page (Japanese) Pokémon Center Online |
Hours
| Season | Hours |
|---|---|
| March – November | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| December – February | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Closed | Once a year (3rd Thursday of February) |
※ Hours may change seasonally. Check the official outlet site before your visit.
Where Is the Pokémon Store? (EAST ZONE)
The store is in the middle of EAST ZONE at block 2630. Once you enter EAST ZONE, follow the signs toward the center of the zone — the Pokémon Store signage is hard to miss. Here's the map location:
▲ The highlighted area shows the Pokémon Store's location in EAST ZONE
▲ Look for the "Pokémon Store" sign at the entrance
What to Buy: Products, Exclusives & the Card Vending Machine
Here's where it gets fun. The selection rotates with seasons, new game releases, and anime tie-ins — so what you find depends on when you visit. That said, there are some reliable categories worth knowing about.
Plushies and Limited Seasonal Goods
Plushies are the star of the show. Pikachu in every size and expression, Piplup, Snorlax, newer-generation Pokémon — the variety goes deep. These make for great souvenirs, and the quality of Pokémon Center official plushies is genuinely good. You'll also find limited seasonal items tied to holidays, new game launches, and regional collaborations that don't make it to international stores.
One memorable find some visitors report: Yokumoku-brand Pokémon cookie tins at half price during certain seasons. Keep an eye out for those.
Pokémon Cards and the Vending Machine
The store carries Pokémon trading card expansion packs and decks — and there's a Pokémon card vending machine inside, which is genuinely rare and always gets a reaction from first-timers. Cards at official Pokémon stores sell at regular retail prices (no markup, no scalping), which is refreshing if you've seen secondary market prices.
Popular sets sell out fast, especially on weekends. If a specific expansion is on your list, call ahead (0550-88-8991) or arrive right when the store opens at 10 AM.
Tax-Free Shopping for International Visitors
As a foreign tourist in Japan, you're eligible for tax-free (免税) purchases on goods over ¥5,000. At checkout, show your passport and the 10% consumption tax gets removed. It's the closest thing to a discount you'll get at this store — and it applies across the outlet, not just here.
Don't forget your passport. Without it, the exemption doesn't apply at the register.
📍 Check current hours and store info on the official site
Visitor Reviews
My kids absolutely lost their minds in here. The plushie wall alone kept us busy for 20 minutes. We bought three Pikachus and a Snorlax, and the kids were talking about it for the rest of the trip. Honestly, this was the highlight of the whole outlet for them.
I've been to Pokémon Centers in Tokyo before, but the selection here felt different — some items I hadn't seen elsewhere. Picked up a limited plushie and a phone case that I genuinely couldn't find back home. The card vending machine was a great surprise too.
I came specifically for the New Year fukubukuro (lucky bag). ¥3,000 for a bag worth roughly ¥10,000 in goods — plushies, cards, stationery, all mixed together. I've done this two years in a row now. If you're visiting in January, do not skip this.
We weren't huge Pokémon fans going in, but ended up spending more time here than expected. The staff were friendly and patient even when we were just browsing. Picked up a Pikachu phone case as a Japan souvenir — perfect choice.
The Pokémon card vending machine is real and it's exactly as fun as it sounds. Even if cards aren't your thing, it's worth a look. Bought a couple of packs and got lucky with a rare pull. Good times.
We expected outlet pricing — lower than regular stores. That's not how it works here. Prices are exactly the same as any Pokémon Center in Japan. Still worth visiting for the items and exclusives, but don't go in expecting discounts.
💡 On pricing: This is a standard-price Pokémon Store. The "outlet" is the mall, not the store. Your best savings come from tax-free shopping (show your passport at checkout for 10% off) or catching seasonal sale items.
The specific card expansion I wanted was sold out by the time I got there — mid-afternoon on a Saturday during Golden Week. Totally understandable given the crowds, but if you're after a particular card set, go early or call ahead.
💡 Card stock tip: Popular expansion packs go fast on weekends and holidays. Call the store (0550-88-8991) to check availability, or get there right at 10 AM opening time.
📍 View the official site for the latest store information
FAQ: Pokémon Store at Gotemba Outlet
Where exactly is the Pokémon Store at Gotemba Outlet?
It's in EAST ZONE at block 2630, roughly in the center of that zone. Head toward the EAST ZONE signs after entering the outlet and follow the zone's central pathway — the Pokémon Store signage is visible from the main walkway.
Are Pokémon products cheaper at Gotemba Outlet?
No — prices are the same as any Pokémon Center store in Japan. The "outlet" refers to the shopping mall, not a discount format. That said, foreign visitors can get 10% off via tax-free shopping (passport required), and seasonal sales do happen occasionally.
What's the biggest Pokémon Center in Japan?
Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro is generally considered the largest. The Gotemba location is a "Pokémon Store" — a smaller curated-format shop with a selection drawn from the full Pokémon Center catalog. It's more relaxed and less crowded than flagship Tokyo locations.
Is Gotemba Outlet worth visiting just for the Pokémon Store?
For die-hard fans, yes — especially if you're after limited seasonal items or cards at retail price. For most visitors, it works best as part of a full outlet day that includes shopping across the 300+ other stores, lunch at the food court, and (on clear days) a Mt. Fuji backdrop that makes the whole trip feel special.
Summary: What to Know Before You Go
- Location: EAST ZONE, Block 2630 — center of the zone
- Hours: 10 AM–8 PM (Mar–Nov) / 10 AM–7 PM (Dec–Feb)
- Prices: Regular Pokémon Center pricing — not discounted. Tax-free shopping saves 10% (passport required)
- Products: Plushies, Pokémon cards, phone cases, stationery, limited seasonal goods
- Card vending machine on-site — a fun extra for collectors
- Avoid sellouts: Arrive at opening (10 AM) on weekends; call ahead for specific card stock
- January visit? Don't miss the New Year lucky bags (fukubukuro) — ¥3,000 for ~¥10,000 worth of goods
Beyond the Pokémon Store, Gotemba Outlet has dedicated play areas, kids' clothing brands, and family-friendly facilities. Here's the complete guide.
