At Pokémon Center Shibuya there’s something you can’t do at any other Pokémon Center on earth: design and print your own one-of-a-kind Pokémon T-shirt. It’s called the Pokémon Design Lab, and it’s one of the most genuinely fun things you can do with an afternoon in Tokyo — you pick your Pokémon, arrange stamps and text on a touchscreen, and walk out with a shirt that literally no one else has.
No reservation is needed, which is rare for something this popular. But daily production is capped, and a couple of small choices — which shirt color, how many stamps — quietly decide whether your shirt still looks great five months from now. This guide covers how it works, the three mistakes Japanese makers warn about, and what to expect on the day.
Pokémon Design Lab at a glance
| Where | Pokémon Center Shibuya, 6F of Shibuya PARCO — 5–10 min from Shibuya Station’s Hachiko exit |
|---|---|
| Reservation | Not needed — but daily numbers are limited, so go early, especially on weekends |
| Price | Kids ¥3,300 / Adults ¥4,400 (as of July 2026) |
| Sizes & colors | Kids 110–150cm, adults S–XXL; white or black |
| Time | ~20 min to design, ~60 min to print — pick up the same day |
| Where else? | Nowhere — this is the only Design Lab in Japan |
How the Design Lab works
The flow is simple and, honestly, addictive.
- Check in at the counter and take a numbered ticket; track your turn by scanning its QR code.
- Pick your shirt color and size, then a design base (the base changes which stamps you can use).
- Choose your Pokémon — you browse by region, then arrange stamps and text on the touchscreen. You get about 20 minutes at the machine.
- Call a staff member to confirm your color, size and design; you’ll get an exchange slip with a pickup time.
- Printing takes about 60 minutes. Pay at the register while you wait, and your shirt comes in an original drawstring pouch.
This maker’s walkthrough shows the whole process end to end — even without Japanese, you can follow exactly what happens at the machine:
Three mistakes to avoid (from people who’ve made one)
This is the part that separates a shirt you’ll wear for years from one you’ll retire in a season.
- 1. Choose a WHITE shirt. On white, the design is printed into the fabric and holds up to repeated washing. On black, the design is a vinyl transfer laid on top — one owner found it visibly peeling after about five months. White shows dirt more easily, but it lasts; that’s the trade most makers recommend.
- 2. Don’t overcrowd stamps and text. Packing too much in can make the print come out uneven or blotchy. Give your Pokémon room to breathe.
- 3. There’s no draft-save. If you’re nearly done and go back to peek at a different design base, your work can be wiped — and the clock is running. Decide your base first, then build.
A small aftercare tip makers pass on: wash the shirt inside out to protect the design. And if you’re on the fence about which Pokémon, go with the one you actually love — this is a keepsake, and the people who pick a favorite (not the ‘cool’ choice) are the ones still wearing it a year later.
What it costs and how long it takes
Budget roughly 90 minutes to two hours total once you factor in the wait: about 20 minutes designing, then around an hour for printing, plus queue time. Prices are ¥3,300 for kids and ¥4,400 for adults (as of July 2026), with kids’ sizes from 110–150cm and adult sizes S–XXL. New Pokémon and limited designs (recent runs have added Mega Evolution Pokémon) are added over time, so it’s worth checking the official site for what’s available on your visit.
Tips for foreign visitors
- Go early. Daily production is capped and weekends, holidays and new-release days get crowded — a weekday morning is ideal.
- Low language barrier. The whole thing is a visual touchscreen; you browse Pokémon by region and drag stamps, so you don’t need to read much Japanese.
- Make a half-day of it. The Design Lab is inside Pokémon Center Shibuya, which also has the life-size animatronic Mewtwo and the outfit-matching Pikachu Collection, and the same floor has Nintendo Tokyo and a Jump Shop. See our guide to Tokyo’s Pokémon Centers for the full picture.
- Plan your pickup. Printing takes ~60 minutes, so order early, then shop or explore the floor and come back.
FAQ
Where can I make my own Pokémon T-shirt in Japan?
Do I need a reservation for the Design Lab?
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Should I choose a white or black shirt?
Is there an English option?
Where is it, and what else is nearby?
Sources & further watching
This guide was compiled and cross-checked from first-hand Design Lab experiences shared by Japanese creators — including this one, where two pro basketball players design shirts and show how much fun the process is:
Prices, sizes and available designs are as of July 2026 and can change — confirm on the official Pokémon Center site before you go. This article contains no affiliate links at the time of publishing; when that changes, our affiliate disclosure applies.
