The “Pokémon x Craft Exhibition,” which has been held in major cities like Tokyo, Nagasaki, and even the USA… is now, for some reason, happening in Hachinohe City, Aomori, at the Hachinohe City Museum of Art!
Honestly, I have no idea why Pokémon would come to a rural place like Aomori, but I decided to check it out, so here’s my report
Honestly, I have no idea why Pokémon would come to a rural place like Aomori, but I decided to check it out, so here’s my report
This article is for:
・People who love Pokémon
・People interested in Japanese crafts
・Anyone planning to visit Aomori between June 28 and August 31, 2025
1. The Awesome Pokémon x Craft Exhibition
First of all, instead of just explaining in words, it’s much easier and clearer if you just see it for yourself!
So, check out the photos I posted on my Instagram first.
There are so many different Pokémon, all expressed using various techniques!
If you’re not familiar, Pokémon is a globally famous game, short for “Pocket Monsters.”
I’m sure many people already know about it, but even if you don’t, you’ve probably heard of Pikachu, right?
And now, Pokémon has teamed up with Japan’s historical crafts for this exhibition—how cool is that?
So what exactly is “craft” ?
To put it simply, craft refers to the tools and items that have supported Japanese life throughout its long history.
It includes things like pottery, mats, clothes, and house decorations.
There are many kinds of craft!
And within this, there are works made by “Living National Treasures,” which are featured in this exhibition.
What is a “Living National Treasure”?
In simple terms, it’s someone who has exceptional skills in creating amazing crafts or performing traditional arts (like Kabuki).
The title “National Treasure” refers to something incredibly valuable to the nation.
It’s one of the highest honors in Japan, emphasizing the importance of preserving and respecting tradition!
Want to know more about Living National Treasures?
Click below!
(For those not interested, feel free to skip!)
So, you can see the works of talented creators from all over Japan, who’ve expressed Pokémon using their unique skills, all in one exhibition!
If you love Pokémon or Japanese crafts, you definitely don’t want to miss this!
And don’t worry if you’re only interested in one of those things—you’ll still enjoy it!
I promise!
2. Benefits of Seeing the Exhibition in Aomori
You can enjoy the works at your own pace!
Since it’s in a rural area, the number of visitors is way fewer compared to when it’s held in big cities.
This means you can experience the works freely！ leisurely！and without feeling crowded!
The best part about being in the countryside? Less people! Check this out:
This photo was taken on the first day of the exhibition on a weekday.
Look at all that space! No need to squeeze through people or feel suffocated. You can enjoy the exhibition at your own pace.
Also, you can take pictures of all the works (which is rare at exhibitions!) so you can capture your favorite angles and moments.
I also took lots of photos in different modes.
There are new exhibits on display!
There are new works on display!
The “Pokémon x Craft Exhibition” started in 2019, and we’re now in the later phase of the exhibition.
Since it’s been a while since it first started, the exhibition now includes 7 new pieces that weren’t shown before 2024!
Even if you’ve seen it before, it’s definitely worth another visit!
Note
The only downside of this exhibition is that it’s aimed primarily at a Japanese audience, so all the explanations of the works are only available in Japanese!
If you’re the type of person who thinks,
“Who cares? I can feel the works with my heart, so I don’t need to read the explanations!”
—you can skip this article!
You can take pictures of the works, so you can use photo translation functions to read the explanations. However…
Don’t worry!!
The catalog sold at the merchandise area contains explanations of the works and details about the artists in English!
We’ll introduce the catalog in a separate article, so if you’re interested, make sure to check that out!
There are also many official goods available only here, so if you’re curious, be sure to check out the official website!
Important Info
Exhibition Dates: June 28, 2025 – August 31, 2025
Closed Dates: July 1, 8, 15, 22
Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Last entry at 6:30 PM)
Location: Hachinohe City Museum of Art
Address: 10-4 Bancho, Hachinohe, Aomori
Phone: 0178-45-8338
Ticket Prices:
Adult: ¥1,300
University & High School Students: ¥800
Elementary & Junior High Students: ¥600
Preschoolers: Free
Access
| From | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Hachinohe | JR Tohoku Shinkansen | ~3h 30m |
| Hachinohe → Hon-Hachinohe | JR Hachinohe Line | ~10m |
| Hon-Hachinohe → Hachinohe City Museum of Art | Walk | ~10m |
Tip: The museum doesn’t have an official parking lot, so you’ll need to find a nearby public parking lot. If you’re not familiar with Japan, it’s recommended to walk from Hon-Hachinohe Station or take a taxi.
Final Thoughts
If the visitor numbers stay low, this might be your only chance to catch the exhibition!
So if you’re interested, definitely come by and support the exhibition!
Let’s help increase the attendance numbers!
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