Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture will reopen Noto Satoyama Airport as “Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport” on July 7, 2026, to boost tourism and supporting recovery in the region after the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. The airport, which will operate under the Pokémon branding until September 30, 2029, is being promoted as the world’s first airport to carry the name of the Pokémon franchise.
The project is part of a partnership between Ishikawa Prefecture and the Pokémon With You Foundation. Authorities said the initiative seeks to bring visitors back to the Noto region while creating attractions for children and Pokémon fans across Japan.
The airport will feature decorations, themed installations, original artwork, exclusive merchandise and Pokémon-themed food items across the terminal.
Airport with Pokémon theme
The airport’s new logo combines Poké Balls, Pikachu and the outline of the Noto Peninsula. Officials said the design reflects hopes of bringing “energy and positive energy” to the region.
A large Pikachu-and-airplane balloon will hang inside the airport’s two-story atrium. Decorations across the terminal will feature all 111 Flying-type Pokémon discovered as of May 2026.
The first-floor arrival lobby will display “A Bright Future,” a reconstruction support artwork first created in 2024 following the earthquake. The display includes three-dimensional monuments of Pikachu, Plusle and Minun.
Pokémon-themed decorations will also appear on boarding bridges, terminal entrances and airport signboards.
Restaurants and shops to sell exclusive items
Restaurant Annon, located on the third floor of the airport, will introduce Pokémon-themed pancakes and drinks. Customers ordering a pancake-and-drink set will receive an original placemat.
The airport’s “Serendipity” store will sell exclusive merchandise including T-shirts, keychains, luggage tags and suitcase belts featuring the airport logo and an original artwork titled “Sky of Hope.”
Officials said quantities of the merchandise may be limited.
Pokémon buses to connect tourists across Noto
The Hokuriku Railway Group will also launch specially wrapped Pokémon buses from mid-July.
One service will connect Kanazawa Station, the airport and Wajima City. Another sightseeing route, currently being finalized, will connect visitors to Pokémon-themed tourist attractions across the Noto Peninsula.
The sightseeing route is expected to include locations such as the “Wakura Pokémon Footbath” in Wakura Onsen and the “Sylveon with LOVE” monument in Suzu City.
The buses will mainly operate on weekends, holidays and selected seasonal periods.
Observation deck and short films for visitors
The airport’s observation deck, called “Pikachu’s Village,” will include multiple Pikachu displays inspired by satoyama, a traditional Japanese rural landscape.
Visitors will also be able to watch three original short films through their smartphones while inside the airport. One of the films, “Fly, Bagon!”, follows a Bagon training to achieve its dream of flying.
A monument linked to the story will also be installed inside the terminal.
Tourism push after earthquake
The Pokémon With You Foundation said the project builds on recovery support activities launched after major disasters in Japan. The organisation was created by The Pokémon Company to expand social contribution activities including disaster relief, children’s support programmes and education initiatives.
Ishikawa Prefecture said the airport project is intended to increase tourism demand and bring more visitors back to the Noto region as reconstruction efforts continue.
AloJapan.com