Wakura Onsen’s New Pokémon Footbath Puts Gyarados, Psyduck, and Vaporeon to Work as Community Infrastructure

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Summary

  • The Wakura Pokémon Footbath is open now inside Yuttari Park in Wakura Onsen, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, a region still recovering from the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake
  • Developed through a collaboration between Nanao City and the Pokémon With You Foundation, the free public facility features Water-type Pokémon including Gyarados, Psyduck, Vaporeon, Pikachu, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, and Quaxly integrated into a traditional wooden structure surrounding the soaking pool
  • The footbath connects to a broader ecosystem of Pokéfuta manhole covers installed around Nanao City, part of Japan’s initiative to draw visitors to lesser-known regions through collectible Pokémon-themed public art

The new Pokémon Footbath in Wakura Onsen is a unique public space – it’s more than just a product or a theme park ride. Opened in May, it’s a free facility created through a collaboration between Nanao City and the Pokémon With You Foundation. Located in a charming wooden building, the footbath features a soaking pool decorated with Water-type Pokémon. It’s especially meaningful for the coastal community, as it helps revitalize tourism following the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. The footbath isn’t just well-designed; its location and purpose give it added significance.

The footbath’s design is what first catches your eye, even before you learn about the concept. The Pokémon figures aren’t just stuck on as an afterthought; each one is carefully placed to create a thoughtful experience. For example, Gyarados, known for being powerful and sometimes destructive, is positioned above the pool as if using its Water Pulse attack to fill it – a clever twist that shows this chaotic Pokémon contributing to a relaxing, community space. Nearby, you’ll find a typically troubled Psyduck. Vaporeon, Pikachu, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, and Quaxly are also placed around the area, all acting in character and contributing to a lively scene, rather than just standing in a row.

The building itself is a key part of what makes this space special. Its wooden construction feels authentically Japanese, unlike many entertainment venues that feel mass-produced and imported. When designing large-scale experiences based on existing characters, it’s crucial to create a space that feels naturally suited to the theme, rather than simply showcasing the characters. The Wakura footbath achieves this balance beautifully, which is a surprisingly difficult feat.

The footbath is part of a larger plan to attract visitors to Nanao City. As part of this effort, the city has installed Pokémon-themed manhole covers – a nationwide initiative called Pokéfuta – to encourage people to explore areas often overlooked by international tourists. The Pokéfuta program is used throughout Japan to bring attention to smaller towns, and its presence in Nanao is intentional. The city is strategically using Pokémon’s popularity – through these collectible manhole covers – to draw attention and encourage exploration.

The specific location of recovery efforts is surprisingly important. The 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake heavily damaged tourism in areas like Wakura Onsen, in Ishikawa Prefecture. Local leaders see a newly built footbath as a way to attract visitors back to the region. The opening included a special ceremony, and local children were among the first to enjoy it. This seemingly small detail is meaningful. While not as crucial as fixing roads or hotels, public spaces that encourage people to linger play a vital role in a community’s recovery. They show that a place is welcoming and worth revisiting, and that message is just as important as the physical rebuilding itself.

The Pokémon With You Foundation is also involved, and this makes sense given their track record. They often use the popularity of Pokémon to help communities in need, and this project in Nanao City follows that same approach. What’s special about the Wakura footbath is how well the fun design and the goal of helping the community work together. The playful elements aren’t taking away from the recovery process; they’re actually what make it noticeable and engaging.

The Wakura Pokémon Footbath is open daily at Yuttari Park, Wakura Onsen.

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2026-05-15 09:56