Legendary Pokémon have moved into the heart of Tokyo’s old merchant district. Until Sunday 29 November 2026, Mitsui Fudosan is running Legend Research in Nihonbashi & Yaesu (伝説のポケモンと出会う レジェンドリサーチ in日本橋＆八重洲). The event has two parts. Pokémon statues and figures are spread across the area, and anyone can look at them for free. For people who want more, there is a paid puzzle game that sends you around the streets with a kit in hand.
This guide explains what you can see for free, what the ¥3,300 puzzle includes, the hours, where to buy tickets, the exclusive merchandise and how to get there.
Event overview at a glance
| Dates | Wed 9 September – Sun 29 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Area | Nihonbashi and Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
| Main venues | Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower (日本橋三井タワー), COREDO Muromachi Terrace (COREDO室町テラス), Tokyo Midtown Yaesu (東京ミッドタウン八重洲) and other Mitsui Fudosan Group buildings |
| Seeing the Pokémon | Free for everyone |
| Puzzle kit voucher | ¥3,300 (tax included) |
| Puzzle reception | Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower 1F |
| Organizer | Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. |
| Cooperation | The Pokémon Company |
| Sponsor | Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) |
The event is part of the year marking Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. The first games, Pokémon Red and Green, came out in Japan on 27 February 1996. If you’re collecting anniversary tie-ins, the Starbucks Japan × Pokémon collaboration is also worth a look.
Free: 19 statues and 100+ Pokémon
You don’t need a ticket for the main attraction. Nineteen Pokémon, legendary Pokémon among them, stand as statues at buildings run by the Mitsui Fudosan Group, including Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, COREDO Muromachi Terrace and Tokyo Midtown Yaesu. More Pokémon turn up inside and outside the buildings, bringing the total to over 100 across the area.
So a simple walk through Nihonbashi and Yaesu already turns into a Pokémon spotting trip. This makes it an easy add-on to a day of shopping or sightseeing near Tokyo Station, and a free option for families.
The paid puzzle game by RIDDLER
The paid part is a walking puzzle game called Pokémon Legend Research (ポケモンレジェンドリサーチ～伝説のリサーチレポートを呼び覚ませ！～). It was created by RIDDLER, the puzzle-maker group led by Ryogo Matsumaru, who is well known as a big Pokémon fan.
The story starts with an old Pokédex and a mysterious file found by chance in the city. The file holds codes linked to each legendary Pokémon. You crack them using the statues and displays around the area as clues. Matsumaru says the game is packed with the 30-year history of Pokémon and that plenty of hints are included, so first-timers can relax. The organizer describes it as suitable for children and adults, beginners included.
How it works:
- Buy a kit voucher online (¥3,300, tax included).
- Go to the reception on the 1st floor of Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower and exchange it for the kit.
- Walk around Nihonbashi and Yaesu, solving the puzzles at each spot.
What’s in the kit:
| Item |
|---|
| Clear file bag |
| The mysterious file |
| Sticker sheet |
| Adventurer’s letter |
| Someone’s report |
| Writing tool |
| Adventurer’s guidelines |
Opening hours
The press release gives the puzzle’s hours as 11:00–19:00 on weekdays and 10:00–20:00 on weekends and holidays. The dedicated puzzle page on the official site breaks this down further:
| Day | Hours on the puzzle page | Last answer check |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | 11:00–18:00 | 19:00 |
| Weekends & holidays | 10:00–19:00 | 20:00 |
How to buy the kit voucher
| Price | ¥3,300 (tax included) |
|---|---|
| On sale | Tue 4 August – Sun 29 November 2026 |
| Sold through | Mitsui Shopping Park Ticket (三井ショッピングパーク チケット), Ticket Pia (チケットぴあ) |
Purchase links for both are on the official event website. Mitsui Shopping Park Ticket is a ticketing service for Mitsui Shopping Park Point members, so you’ll need that membership to buy there. Otherwise, Ticket Pia is the alternative.
Exclusive event merchandise
The event has its own key visual drawn specially for it, and a line of goods uses that artwork. They are sold at a dedicated goods corner in Yaesu, not at the puzzle reception in Nihonbashi.
| Location | Legend Research goods corner, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu 5F (2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Weekdays 11:00–19:00 Weekends & holidays 10:00–20:00 |
| Payment | Cashless only (no cash) |
Items announced:
| Item |
|---|
| Drawstring pouch |
| Folding fan |
| Acrylic keychain |
| Acrylic stand |
| Mug |
| T-shirt |
Prices for each item were not included in the announcement, so check the official site.
- Stock is limited, and purchase limits per person may apply.
- During the event, these goods are sold only at this corner. Pokémon Center Tokyo DX (ポケモンセンタートウキョーDX) and Pokémon Store Tokyo Station (ポケモンストア東京駅店) nearby don’t carry them.
- They may be sold later at Pokémon Center shops, Pokémon Stores or Pokémon Center Online.
Access and parking
The puzzle reception is at Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower 1F, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
| Tokyo Metro | Mitsukoshimae Station (三越前), Ginza and Hanzomon lines: directly connected via exits A7 and A8 |
|---|---|
| JR | Shin-Nihombashi Station (新日本橋), Sobu Line: 3 min walk |
| Parking | None for the event. Use paid car parks nearby, such as at Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower |
Coming from outside Tokyo? Rail deals can make the trip much cheaper. See our guides to 50%-off Shinkansen fares with Tokudane Special 28 and the Aki no Norihodai Pass for unlimited JR local trains.
Tips before you go
- Just want photos? Skip the ticket. The statues and the 100+ Pokémon around the area are free.
- Doing the puzzle? Buy the voucher online before you go, then head to Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower 1F to collect the kit.
- Start early. The last hour of the day is for answer checks, so leave yourself enough time to walk the route.
- Two separate spots. Kits are handed out in Nihonbashi, but goods are sold on the 5th floor of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu. Plan both into your route.
- Bring a card or e-money. The goods corner doesn’t take cash. Check the official site for accepted payment methods.
- Take the train. There’s no event parking, and the building is directly connected to Mitsukoshimae Station.
Looking for more to do in Tokyo this autumn? Try the free boat rides at the Shibaura Canal Festival, or unwind after a day of walking with the ¥300 Tokyo sento coupon. Fans of character exhibitions may also like our Ghibli Park exhibition guide.
FAQ
- Q. Is the Pokémon Legend Research event free?
- Seeing the Pokémon statues and figures around Nihonbashi and Yaesu is free for everyone. Only the puzzle game costs money: the kit voucher is ¥3,300 (tax included).
- Q. How long does the event run?
- From Wednesday 9 September to Sunday 29 November 2026.
- Q. Where do I pick up the puzzle kit?
- At the reception on the 1st floor of Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. It is directly connected to Mitsukoshimae Station via exits A7 and A8.
- Q. Where can I buy the kit voucher?
- It is sold through Mitsui Shopping Park Ticket and Ticket Pia until 29 November 2026. Purchase links are on the official event website.
- Q. Is the puzzle suitable for kids or first-timers?
- The organizer says it is designed for both children and adults, including people new to puzzle games, and its creator says plenty of hints are provided.
- Q. Can I pay cash at the merchandise corner?
- No. The goods corner on the 5th floor of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu is completely cashless. Check the official site for accepted payment methods.
- Q. Are the event goods sold at Pokémon Center stores?
- Not during the event. They are sold only at the goods corner, not at Pokémon Center Tokyo DX or Pokémon Store Tokyo Station. They may be sold at Pokémon Center shops or online at a later date.
Sources: official event website / official puzzle page / Mitsui Fudosan news release / PR TIMES press release. Details are as announced; please check the official website for the latest information before visiting.
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