I’m a Pokémon enjoyer and have visited the Pokémon center in Taipei many times. I’ve also been to the one in Singapore and a few in Japan.
I want to help you decide if it’s worth visiting.
First off, you don’t need to pay to get in. If someone tells you otherwise, they’re not telling the truth.
Is the Pokémon Center in Taipei Worth Visiting?
The Taipei Pokémon Center is worth visiting for fans. It offers unique Taiwan-themed souvenirs like pineapple cakes. While lacking the coolest mascots, it provides an immersive experience with Taipei-specific backgrounds and photo opportunities.
I’ll tell you more about those in a bit.
If you’re not a Pokémon fan, you probably won’t enjoy this place (duh).
If you have kids, you might have a hard time getting them away from the Pokémon Ga-Olé rigs. These are arcade machines.
Every time I walk by one of these, I see a line of parents with their kids waiting to play.
Here’s how to play it so you can get them hooked:
Anyway:
A few months ago, I would have said this place isn’t worth visiting because you had to wait in line to get in. Now the hype has died down, so there’s no need to wait anymore.
Before we move on, this isn’t a pop-up store. It’s permanent. It’s the only Pokémon Center outside Japan (other than Singapore).
I also went to the Pokémon Center in Singapore, which wasn’t as good as Taipei’s.
Who are the mascots that I’m talking down to?
What Is the Mascot of Taipei’s Pokémon Center?
Dragonite and Pikachu are the mascots of Taipei’s Pokémon Center. The store’s island-inspired design reflects Taiwan’s coastal nature, featuring sky and sea themes.
Even though I don’t love the mascots, the store’s theme reminds me of the Pokémon TCG Southern Islands series set.
Look up this set and see if you agree.
Since there’s a Pokémon Center, you’re probably wondering if there’s a café.
Is There a Pokémon Café in Taiwan?
There is no Pokémon Café in Taiwan as of September 2024.
You still need to go to Japan for a Pokémon Café experience…
There was a popup Pokémon Café in 2017 in Taipei, but it never became a permanent location.
Okay, then. How would I get to the Pokémon Center?
How to Get to the Pokémon Center in Taipei
You’ll first need to go to the Breeze Xinyi.
I usually get there by taking the Taipei MRT Blue line to Taipei City Hall Station. From there, I leave through Exit 2, turn right, and walk straight until I reach the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taipei Xinyi Place.
Make sure you’re at building “A11.”
Once inside, take a series of escalators or an elevator to the 3rd floor.
The Pokémon Center is at the edge of one of the escalators.
Or:
If your hotel is along the Red line for the MRT, get off at Taipei 101 World Trade Center Station then walk to Breeze Xinyi.
Or…
Rent and ride a YouBike to any of these docking stations:
Wait a second.
You might have heard that you need a ticket to get into the Pokémon Center in Taipei.
Is that still the case?
How Do I Get a Ticket for Pokémon Center Taipei?
As of September 2024, you don’t need a ticket anymore to enter the Pokémon Center. This may change during a holiday (e.g., Mid-Autumn festival). Whether you’ll need to get a ticket will depend on how busy the store is.
I spoke to their staff and that’s exactly what they told me.
If there’s a ticket required, the staff will let you know when you try to walk into the Pokémon Center.
If that’s the case, there’s a desk in front of the Pokémon Center. Tell them you want a ticket to get into the Pokémon Center. They’ll give you a ticket with a specific time on it.
Here’s an example of a ticket (not mine):
The text on this ticket says:
- Can only use this ticket for yourself
- You must hold this ticket while in line
- Can only use this ticket during one visit
- Wait in line to enter the store
- Start waiting in line before the time range on the ticket
Come back to the Pokémon Center at that time and wait in line.
I recommend avoiding the Pokémon center during a holiday…
Here’s a guide on all holidays and festivals. Bookmark it.
The last time I waited in line, a parent waiting behind me in line kept ramming me with their stroller. And their kids kept screaming.
You may not have this experience. But it left me with a bad impression.
Congratulations, you made it into the store.
Now what do you buy?
Do I Recommend any Souvenirs from the Pokémon Center in Taipei?
Here are some cool exclusives I’ve seen and recommend:
- Pineapple cakes
- Loose-leaf tea
- Traditional Chinese Pokémon cards
- Maybe pins
- Plushies
They change their stock often, so you might see different things.
Sometimes they have promotional items, depending on when you visit.
I said “maybe” for the pins because I didn’t always see them. It’s a special pin for this store. If you see it, buy it.
You’re guaranteed to get real Chinese-language Pokémon cards here. Many street shops sell fake ones.
I’ll talk more about cards soon.
If you don’t want famous pineapple cake brands (e.g., Chia Te), get them here. They’re a bit expensive, though.
The plushes aren’t amazing, but they’re cute. If you like Pikachu, Dragonite, or Teddiursa, you might like these exclusive plushies.
If you’re not planning a trip to Japan anytime soon, you might as well buy other plushes while you’re here.
They easily fit into your luggage and don’t weigh much. I’d know. I took 5 of them home with me from Japan.
Make sure you have room in your bags for other souvenirs. Here’s a guide with recommendations.
Pokémon cards. Where do you get them?
Taiwan is the only place to buy Traditional Chinese cards, except for Hong Kong. The Pokémon Center always has real packs.
They didn‘t have promotional cards the last time I went there (September 2024).
What if you want specific cards?
I found some decent ones at the Taipei City Mall, which is under Taipei Main Station. You’ll see at least 2 or 3 shops. And this is the most convenient way to get them.
They mostly had One Piece and Yugioh cards, though.
My favorite place is Academy Legacy Games (集換式卡片専門店). It’s far, but you’ll see the famous Bent Postboxes on the way.
The dudes who I spoke to there spoke some English and they had almost every card I was looking for. They have Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and English cards.
I showed them pictures, and they found most cards for me.
They also buy cards. But when I tried to sell mine, they only bought one English card. I had at least a hundred cards with me (not including Energy cards).
Once you’re done here, you’re going to need something else to do.
Let’s get into that.
Things to Do Nearby the Pokémon Center, Taipei
| Attraction | Description | Avg Stay Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall | A popular building to commemorate Sun Yat Sen. | 2 – 3 hrs |
| Tonghua Night Market | A night market. | 2 hrs |
| I recommend Yu Pin Yuan Iced and Hot Tangyuan (Michelin star restaurant). | ||
| Elephant Mountain | A 20-minute hike that’ll give you a breathtaking view of Taipei | 2 hrs |
| Breeze Xinyi | Upscale malls, cinemas, and more | 3 hrs |
| Songshan Cultural & Creative Park | An old tobacco factory. | 2 hrs |
| Songshan Fengtian Temple | A little far, but pretty and not so “touristy”. | 1 hr |
| Taipei World Trade Center | Often hosts events (like COMPUTEX). | 1+ hr |
| Xinyi Public Assembly Hall | An old military village. | 1 hr |
| Taipei 101 | Skyscraper. | 2 – 3 hrs |
If you haven’t visited Taipei 101, yet, and have no blood pressure issues, you should come to Taipei 101 in the morning and book a visit to the 88th-floor Simple Kaffa. It’s a fantastic Taiwanese coffee shop chain opened by a world barista champion.
You’ll need to make a reservation at the 1st-floor desk in Taipei 101.
From there, head to the 88th floor and have some coffee. Afterward, you should be ready to tackle the Pokémon Center.
Once you’re done, walk around Breeze Xinyi and buy stuff. If you go there earlier in the day (on a weekday), you won’t find many people.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is closed for renovations in 2024.
Next, visit Songshan Cultural Park. Then grab some lunch.
Once the sun’s about to set, head to Elephant Mountain to get a stellar sunset view.
And then head to Tonghua Night Market and grab some street food.
If you’re a night owl and want to get liquored up, head back to the Breeze Xinyi area. They have a lot of bars.
Let’s finish this with some general information.
Helpful Information for Travelers
| Address | 110202, Taipei City, Xinyi District, Songshou Rd, 110號 Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taipei Xinyi Place A11 3F |
| Local Name | 寶可夢中心臺北; bǎo kě mèng zhōngxīn táiběi |
| Website | Pokémon.co.jp/shop/en/pokecen/taipei |
| Opening/Closing Hours | Mon – Thurs & Sun: 11 AM – 9:30 PM |
| Fri & Sat: 11 AM – 10 PM |
