Pokémon fans across Japan will have plenty to celebrate this summer as Bandai Namco launches the “Pokémon Anniversary Festival in Namco,” a nationwide campaign marking the franchise’s 30th anniversary. Running from July 24th to October 25th, 2026, the event will take place at Namco amusement facilities throughout the country and feature exclusive prizes, giveaways, and special flagship-store experiences.
The festival's biggest draw may be its lineup of limited-edition crane game prizes. Visitors will be able to try their luck at winning oversized plush toys of popular Pokémon including Eevee, Gengar, Pikachu, and Snorlax, with different characters appearing throughout the campaign period.
A 500 JPY play challenge adds another layer of excitement. Guests who insert 500 JPY into designated crane machines can participate in the “Namco Lottery” for a chance to win original merchandise such as clear pouches, tumblers, bead straps, and holographic-style glitter stickers.
The campaign also includes free giveaways. Visitors using the Namco Points app can receive an original Pokémon sun visor featuring Captain Pikachu, while four locations (in Yokohama, Kyoto, Hakata, and Sapporo) will become special “Pokémon Flagship Stores.” These stores will offer exclusive sun visor designs themed around different generations of starter Pokémon, dedicated Pokémon crane game areas, and stamp rallies where participants can earn commemorative clear files and 30th-anniversary stickers.
With Pokémon celebrating three decades since the release of Pokémon Red and Green in 1996, the festival promises a nostalgic mix of classic characters, collectible merchandise, and arcade fun. Whether you're a longtime fan who grew up with the series or simply enjoy hunting for exclusive collectibles while traveling around Japan, the campaign offers plenty of reasons to stop by a participating Namco arcade this summer.
