You Can Now Take A Virtual Tour Of Japan’s Pokémon Fossil Museum

Japan is a veritable haven for any Pokémon fan, this we know. From the many Pokemon Center store locations (can the UK please get a permanent one at some point?), to Tokyo’s official Pokémon Café, and even hotel rooms around the country, if there’s a Pokémon-themed experience to be had, you can guarantee you’ll find it here. 

Well, another one to add to your bucket list is none other than the Pokémon Fossil Museum, which is exactly what it sounds like. That’s right - you can explore a whole exhibit of replica Pokémon fossils, based on the series’ various fossil Pokémon (such as Aerodactyl, Omanyte and Cranidos), and see how they compare to the real-life prehistoric creatures they were inspired by.

If you remember Twitch Plays Pokémon, you might remember that one fossil Pokémon (who was dubbed Lord Helix) became a fan-favourite part of the whole experience - take a look at the video below.

The museum first opened its doors in July 2021 in Hokkaido, and has since moved to a number of different locations - from 16 July, fans will be able to find it at the Toyohashi Museum of Natural History. But, assuming you can’t just throw yourself onto a plane to see the exhibit in the flesh, there’s some great news for you. 

As reported by IGN, it’s now possible to take a free tour directly from the comfort of your home. From the fearsome Tyrantrum and Kabutops to the adorable Shieldon, you can take a look at everything the museum has to offer right here. 

“Pokémon, the beloved creatures of the Pokémon video game series, are full of mystery. Some of them can only be revived from fossil-like states,” the museum’s official website writes. “The subject of this exhibition is the so-called fossil Pokémon, which are shown as part of a unique paleontological learning experience. Visitors will be able to compare the fossil Pokémon with similar prehistoric life forms found in real-world fossils.”

So, that’s the best thing that I never knew I needed. Be right back, I have Pokémon to look at. For science, obviously.