The Pokémon Card Store (ポケモンカードストア) are 5 temporary pop-up locations where you can buy Pokémon Card Game and Pokémon Center original merchandise and they are now open in Japan to celebrate the launch of the Pokémon Card Game MEGA Expansion Pack Storm Emeralda (ストームエメラルダ).

To help alleviate scalping of this set, limited ticket purchasing through a facial recognition system has been implemented at these temporary pop-up Pokémon Card Store locations. This is a separate ID verification system than the one that was announced previously by The Pokémon Company and that system is scheduled to launch in August 2026 to late summer 2026.

What Is the Pokémon Card Store?

These temporary pop-up stores specialize in Pokémon Card Game products and offers Pokémon Card Game and Pokémon Center original merchandise. They sell Pokémon Card Game booster packs, other related merchandise, select plush toys, and various other items. They also host free Pokémon Card Game tutorial events in-store.

Five Pokémon Card Stores to Open in July!

To celebrate the release of the Pokémon Card Game MEGA Expansion Pack Storm Emeralda (ストームエメラルダ), five Pokémon Card Stores, where you can purchase Pokémon Card Game and Pokémon Center original merchandise, will open simultaneously!

Pokémon Card Store at AEON Mall Natori

Dates: July 31, 2026 to August 16th, 2026
Hours: Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
As a special exception, opening hours on Friday, July 31; Monday, August 10; and Wednesday, August 12 through Friday, August 14 will be 10:00 AM–7:00 PM.
Location: AEON Hall, 3rd Floor, AEON Mall Natori, 5-3-1 Morisekinoshita, Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture

Pokémon Card Store at Chofu PARCO

Dates: July 31st, 2026 to August 16th, 2026
Hours: Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
As a special exception, opening hours on Friday, July 31; Monday, August 10; and Wednesday, August 12 through Friday, August 14 will be 10:00 AM–7:00 PM.
Location: 1F Event Space, Chofu PARCO, 1-38-1 Kojimacho, Chofu City, Tokyo

Pokémon Card Store at AEON Mall Higashiura

Dates: July 31st, 2026 to August 16th, 2026
Hours: Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
As a special exception, operating hours on Friday, July 31; Monday, August 10; and Wednesday, August 12 through Friday, August 14 will be 10:00 AM–7:00 PM.
Location: 1F Central Court, AEON Mall Higashiura, 13-2 Asahi, Ogawa, Higashiura-cho, Chita-gun, Aichi Prefecture

Pokémon Card Store at AEON Mall Hiroshima Fuchu

Dates: July 31st, 2106 to August 16th, 2026
Hours: Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
As a special exception, opening hours on Friday, July 31; Monday, August 10; and Wednesday, August 12 through Friday, August 14 will be 10:00 AM–7:00 PM.
Location: AEON Hall, 3rd Floor, AEON Mall Hiroshima Fuchu, 2-1-1 Osu, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture

Pokémon Card Store at AEON Mall Chikushino

Dates: July 31st, 2026 to August 16th, 2026
Hours: Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
As a special exception, opening hours on Friday, July 31; Monday, August 10; and Wednesday, August 12 through Friday, August 14 will be 10:00 AM–7:00 PM.
Location: 1F West Court, AEON Mall Chikushino, 434-1 Ritsumeiji, Chikushino City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Notice Regarding the Introduction of a Facial Recognition System for Store Entry and Purchasing

At Pokémon Card Stores, in order to provide a safe and secure shopping environment for all customers, prevent crime, and ensure compliance with appropriate store entry and purchasing rules, we will implement facial recognition checks for customers in elementary school and older when they enter the store and receive their numbered tickets.

Children under elementary school age (preschoolers) are exempt from the facial recognition requirement and may enter the store with a guardian as usual. However, preschoolers may not enter the store unaccompanied. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. To ensure compliance with our entry rules, staff may approach you individually if they observe you entering the store multiple times. We ask that all customers review the information below and kindly request your understanding and cooperation.

Regarding Entry Verification via the Facial Recognition System

At the Pokémon Card Stores, we use the results from this system to determine entry and purchase restrictions. One entry per day limit: Entry to the store and receipt of a numbered ticket by the same person is limited to "once per day (one ticket)".

System Detection: If the system detects that the same person has "entered the store two or more times in a single day" or "received two or more entry tickets", and a notification (alert) to that effect appears on the screen, we will uniformly deny entry based on the system’s determination.

Conditions for Entry and Ticket Distribution

You agree to be managed by this system and to comply with these rules as it is a condition of entry to our store and to obtain an entry ticket. If you do not consent to facial recognition or do not agree to these rules, we regret to inform you that we will be unable to allow you to enter the store or issue you an entry ticket.

Temporary Departure and Re-entry

If you need to temporarily leave the store, for example, to use the restroom, please be sure to inform a nearby staff member before leaving. Please note that if you leave the store temporarily without receiving guidance or confirmation from a staff member, you will not be permitted to re-enter. Please also note that if you leave the store without settling your bill, you will not be permitted to re-enter.

Handling of Personal Information

With the introduction of facial recognition, we will collect the "number of visits" and "facial image data" of eligible customers. We will manage and store the collected data strictly and appropriately, only to the extent necessary to achieve the purposes stated above, and will promptly delete it after a certain period has elapsed.

For more details regarding the handling of personal information, please refer to the Pokémon Privacy Policy: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/privacy/

Other Information

In addition to the rules above, we may refuse entry to customers if we observe behavior that we deem inappropriate for the safety and smooth operation of our store. Please note that the above information is subject to change without prior notice.

These measures are in place to ensure a fair and safe experience for all customers. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Sources: https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/004753.html, https://chofu.parco.jp/event/detail/?id=37956, https://higashiura.aeonmall.jp/event/7744b6c6-48f1-46f9-8558-66e2c5d89a7a