Starting next July, Noto airport, in Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, will be for many one of the most attractive in the world. It will be renamed, although for a limited time, Pokémon With You Noto Satoyama Airport, and will be the first to bear the name of Pokémon, the popular entertainment saga.
The airport becomes a Pokémon-themed attraction to promote tourism
The initiative is the result of collaboration between the Pokémon With You Foundation, a non-profit organization promoted by The Pokémon Company in 2011 and focused on disaster preparedness and recovery efforts throughout Japan; with the Council for the Promotion of the Utilization of Noto Satoyama Airport.
The goal is to turn the airport into a Pokémon-themed attraction to encourage tourism and the region’s recovery following the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit the Noto Peninsula in January 2024. The disaster left the airport closed and caused widespread destruction in the area, from which its residents are still recovering.
Thus, starting July 7, and until September 30, 2029, the Pokémon universe will be the protagonist in the airport facilities. Specifically, it will be the 111 Flying-type creatures that have been part of Pokémon so far. All of them have been integrated into the airport’s visual identity, appearing on boarding bridges, entrance pillars, walls and signage throughout the premises, as well as in exclusive products and services.
The redesign has also involved revising the airport logo, which now shows a smiling Pikachu, waving on the back of a cartoon airplane, and surrounded by a red circle reminiscent of Poké Balls. As the organization explains, it is a cheerful and striking design, created with the intention of transmitting energy and making all visitors feel welcome.
The logo image will also come to life on a large balloon depicting Pikachu on the plane, which will greet tourists in the airport atrium. Around it, Pokémon characters will be present in the decorations of columns and corridors in the creation “The Sky of Hope”, made to commemorate the inauguration of the airport.
From Pokémon With You they point out that through the representation of numerous Pokémon flying through the sky, along with lights and a shining rainbow, nostalgia for the sky is expressed, the joy of flying freely and the hope of embarking on a new journey.
As explained by the foundation, in the arrivals hall on the first floor there will also be special decoration with the sign “Akari no Mirai” (A bright future), a work of art created in 2024 to support the reconstruction of Noto.
On the other hand, the terrace is decorated with dozens of Pikachus, among which other characters have been placed, encouraging visitors to find them, as if it were the original mission of the game.
Columns, both exterior and interior, stairs or halls will be updated thanks to the presence of the creatures.
The revitalization of Noto airport has also focused on interactivity. Thus, within the facilities, users will be able to enjoy three original short videos using their smartphone. One of them, titled “Fly, Tatsubay!”, tells the story of Tatsubay, who dreams of flying; and a monument of the character will also materialize inside the airport.
The presence of Pokémon will also be seen in services and products. Along these lines, the “Annon” restaurant, located on the third floor, will serve an exclusive Pokémon menu that, among other things, will include two types of pancakes and two types of drinks, as well as a placemat with an exclusive design.
The sale of original items will also take place in the “Serendipity” store.
On the other hand, the sale of original items will also take place in the “Serendipity” store, located on the second floor. The collection, which will display the airport’s particular logo or some of the murals created, includes t-shirts, key chains, luggage tags or suitcase accessories.
Likewise, once the design is inaugurated, a specially designed tourist bus will be put into circulation that will connect the airport with the different Pokémon points of interest spread across the Noto peninsula. It will be practical to visit Pokémon-related places that can only be enjoyed on the Noto Peninsula, such as the “Wakura Pokémon Ashiyu”, a facility dedicated to the Pokémon foot bath), or the “Ninfea with Love” monument located in Suzu City.
The objective of the entire renovation is, as expressed by the entities responsible for the project, to generate tourist demand in Noto, increase the population in the region and serve as a catalyst to boost activity. The Pokémon With You Foundation assures that the initiative aligns with its mission of “make children smile by accompanying them with Pokémon”, which is also channeled through support for children’s soup kitchens, educational projects or environmental initiatives.
