Poké Ball-shaped hotel opens in Japan to mark 30th anniversary of Pokémon

Published on 15/09/2026 - 13:50 GMT+2

A lot of people on the internet point to 2016 as both the moment where Everything Went Wrong, but also the last time the world felt truly united.

I won’t get into the former, but the latter is tied to one thing: The release of Pokémon Go. It was a summer of fun, of running around with strangers, of embracing nostalgia.

While it currently feels as though we’ll never reach those highs collectively again, there is still some whimsy in the world – and Pokémon-related whimsy to boot.

That’s because NOT A HOTEL has teamed up with the sleep game app Pokémon Sleep to create a Poké Ball-shaped hotel.

Located in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido, the hotel pod is three metres across, with a round bed under a curved acrylic window letting you enjoy the lakeside views while relaxing in the Poké Ball.

There are plenty of nods to the beloved anime throughout, including tiles inspired by Snorlax's colors in the bathroom area next to the hotel.

You can even pick your favourite Pokémon on an iPad in the room, which will transform the lighting to match your selection.

Can you stay there?

Bad news, I’m afraid.

The hotel concept was created to celebrate both the 30th anniversary of Pokémon and the third anniversary of Pokémon Sleep, but only Japanese residents using the latter will be able to enter a competition for a stay.

Users will be able to enter through X, formerly known as Twitter. If you are lucky enough to be eligible to apply, all the details can be found here.

Those chosen will get a free one-night stay between 8 and 18 October.