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- 2 min read

Pokémon Go Released in Japan

Japan residents and travelers eager to "catch 'em all"

Despite a perplexing delay in the land of its birth, Pokémon Go finally became available for download in Japan on July 22nd. Pokémon, short for "Pocket Monsters" was originally created for Nintendo's Game Boy in the mid 1990s, then grew to be the company's second-largest franchise.

The new Pokémon Go app simply updates the idea - users travel around using the map apps and cameras on their phones to "capture" Pokemon in a variety of settings.

While the Japanese government has already published a list of practical guidelines for Pokémon Go players to avoid risks and injury, the game's potential to take visitors to some of the country's best-known - and also little-visited - tourist sites is a huge boon. Tiny monsters have the potential to show up anywhere, from Tokyo's famed Shibuya crossing and Senso-ji Temple to the lavender fields of Hokkaido and the beaches of Okinawa.

Why not let Pokémon Go take you on an adventure around Japan? If you feel you "gotta catch 'em all", you'll at least see some amazing sites in the process.

More information

Google Play Store App Store Official Site

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Shri Bhagwan Sharma 8 years ago
Awesome ! Pokemon release in Japan. Good
Corinna David 8 years ago
Awesome! It was just released yesterday here in the Philippines.
Amanda Ho 8 years ago
any idea how many pokemon are there? definitely a boost for tourism
Victoria Vlisides 8 years ago
Finally released in Japan haha
Patrick Harnett 8 years ago
The version released in international markets worked in Japan when I returned home to Tokyo earlier in the month, but without any features. Since launch on Friday, the game is still a bit buggy and has problems, but the delay (while frustrating), means the Japan experience is not as frustrating as it might have otherwise have been.

Some immediate observations:
- There are LOTS of people playing Pokemon Go all over Tokyo, even in my small neighbourhood area.
- People/families/kids are getting out and hunting Pokemon.
- People are having fun.

I have discovered a lot of new and interesting places even in the nearby areas that I would never have found without the game (some beautiful, some interesting). I also get very lost which was fun as well, not something I do when visiting touristy sites.
Patrick Harnett 6 years ago
Hi Victoria, I thought I recognised the name (I've read some of your other articles), but I'm not a particularly good blogger. Still busy working on the Japan travel business and finding new/interesting places to explore.

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