At a glance
Where
Tomakomai, Hokkaido — lakeside, surrounded by forest
What
A ~3 m diameter Monster Ball capsule hotel
Who
Pokémon Sleep × NOT A HOTEL
Why
Pokémon 30th anniversary and Pokémon Sleep’s 3rd
Lottery
15–30 September 2026, Japan residents 18+ only
Stays
10 pairs of guests, one free night, 8–18 October 2026
What the “stayable Poké Ball” actually is
This is not a themed wing inside a big resort. It is a single spherical capsule: a red-and-white ball with a round bed and a curved window facing the lake. NOT A HOTEL designed the architecture; Pokémon Sleep framed the sleep-and-comfort concept.
The pod sits in near-total seclusion — you walk through nature to reach it. For travellers who already know neon Tokyo and viral cafés, this is a different Japan: a quiet, almost game-like overnight.
Status check: at launch it is a promotional lottery experience, not a normal hotel with open booking. Public rates and a calendar after October 2026 were not announced with the first details.
How to stay: lottery first, not Booking.com
There is no ordinary reservation yet. Ten winners (each with one companion) get a free one-night stay with dinner and breakfast. Travel to Tomakomai and incidentals are on guests.
Who can enter
Japan residents aged 18+ with Pokémon Sleep installed and a public X account. International travellers cannot enter the lottery — but they can still plan Hokkaido around Sapporo and New Chitose.
How to apply
Follow the official campaign page: follow @PokemonSleepApp, post via the campaign button, and complete the form. Application deadlines map to different October stay slots.
On-site practicalities
The capsule was not promoted as barrier-free; access goes through a natural area. Pack waterproof shoes and offline maps — lake-edge reception can be weaker than in the city.
How to fold Hokkaido into a Japan trip
Base · Sapporo / New Chitose
Tomakomai pairs cleanly with CTS Airport and Sapporo — roughly an hour by train or car. Use the city as a 2–3 day base (markets, parks, Susukino evenings) and leave a window for a Tomakomai day-trip or overnight.
Theme · Japan pop culture
If you are chasing atmosphere, pair Hokkaido with anime pilgrimage spots, the Ghibli Museum, or unusual Tokyo hotels. The Poké Ball night becomes a climax, not the only stop.
Plan B · if you do not win
Do not hinge the whole holiday on a lottery. Build a calm Hokkaido circuit or a classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka spine, and treat the capsule as a bonus if dates open later.
Hokkaido autumn is already cool: October needs layers and a rain shell. A winter lakeside capsule would feel even more camp-like — watch seasonal announcements.
Ready-made AlpacaBag SEO routes
Use these as a trip spine if you are adding Hokkaido or a pop-culture track:
Practical prep: flights, stays, connectivity
- Airport: New Chitose (CTS). Continue by JR to Sapporo or by car/transfer toward Tomakomai.
- Base lodging: Sapporo is easier for dinners and transit; near CTS works for late arrivals.
- Connectivity: a Japan eSIM with offline maps helps when navigation drops into forest roads.
- Etiquette: do not publish exact private-site coordinates without organiser permission, and do not block paths for photos.
Before buying non-refundable tickets, compare flights to Hokkaido (CTS), hotels in Sapporo, eSIM and travel insurance for Japan.
Related reads
Build your route: Hokkaido + Japan your way
Describe “Sapporo / Hokkaido, 3–5 days, unusual lodging” — AlpacaBag will map transfers, a city base, and a plan that still works without the lottery.
FAQ
Where is the Poké Ball hotel?
In Tomakomai, Hokkaido, on a lakeshore in a forested area. The nearest major hubs are New Chitose Airport and Sapporo.
Can I just book a room?
Not at campaign launch: stays are awarded by lottery to Japan residents. Any later public sales will be announced separately.
How much does a night cost?
Lottery winners stay free for one night with dinner and breakfast; transport is not included. No public rates for general guests were announced.
Should I visit Hokkaido only for the capsule?
No, unless your stay is confirmed. Build the trip around Sapporo and island nature, and treat the Poké Ball as a bonus.
How does AlpacaBag help with this trip?
The planner stitches CTS–Sapporo–day-trip logistics, leaves room for unusual overnights, and can connect Hokkaido with Tokyo or Kansai.