What this is
Over 1,000 official Nintendo merchandise items descend on Sapporo's Daimaru Department Store for a themed pop-up running through most of the summer. Franchises represented include Super Mario, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, Splatoon, and Pikmin, with a dedicated Animal Crossing: New Horizons zone and new Animal Crossing merchandise scheduled for release during the run. Think of it as a temporary outpost of the official Nintendo Store, without the trip to Tokyo.
Who should go
Nintendo fans of any age, particularly those who can't easily access the permanent Nintendo TOKYO or Nintendo OSAKA stores. Families with kids and collectors hunting limited or region-timed releases will get the most out of it.
Good to know
Entry to the pop-up floor is free, but popular items sell out fast — new Animal Crossing merchandise in particular is likely to go quickly on release day. Daimaru Sapporo is directly connected to Sapporo Station, making it one of the easiest department store venues in the city to reach. Payment by credit card is generally accepted at Daimaru stores, but individual pop-up stalls sometimes operate cash-only tills, so carry some yen. Purchase limits per person are standard practice at Nintendo pop-ups in Japan, so check the official Nintendo website for any restrictions before you go. The event runs over three weeks, so mid-week visits in late August are your best bet for shorter queues.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.