Hello from Pokecazilla!
Hey there! I'm Keiran, and I’m a part of the brand-new global branch of Pokecazilla! To celebrate the launch of our new site, I thought it would be the perfect time to introduce myself and share a bit about my experience playing Pokémon TCG here in Japan!
I’m originally from Melbourne, Australia, and 2024 marks my 8th year living in Japan. To be honest, it still seems like yesterday that I stepped off the plane at Narita Airport. These days, I’m based in Ikebukuro, an amazing spot for TCG players, home to a ton of great card shops and the largest Pokémon Center in Japan as well.
I absolutely love video games, with my favourite being the Shin Megami Tensei series and RPGs in general and on the other hand, I’ve always been really into competitive games, I played StarCraft Brood War like it was a full time job, and multiple fighting games throughout the years too. While I’d dabbled in competitive card games before—mainly Hearthstone from 2015 to 2018—the allure of the Pokémon TCG ended up being something I couldn’t resist!
My first experience with Pokémon TCG, like many others, was back in 1999 with the release of the Base Set. I had no idea how to play back then, but I spent countless hours staring at my collection and showing off my cards to friends in the playground.
Fast forward to 2023, I stumbled across the NAIC 2023 stream by pure chance, which reignited my curiosity for the Pokémon TCG. Then, after joining Pokecazilla and hearing my colleagues rave how much fun competing is, I built my first real deck and jumped into the action!
Rediscovering Pokémon in Japan
When I first came across the NAIC stream in June 2023, I didn’t fully understand what was happening at first, but I was enamoured. Watching players execute their turns in high-stakes matches reminded me of what I love most about competitive games.
It made me realize that Pokémon TCG wasn’t just a card game for collectors—it was also a complex, strategic game with a lot of depth to it.
Inspired by what I saw, I decided to give it a try myself. I downloaded Pokémon TCG Live and started playing casually during my commute to and from work. My first deck was Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR, which was a blast to play. After Obsidian Flames released, though, I couldn’t resist switching to the new Charizard ex—it was strong, and let’s be honest, Charizard is pretty darn cool.
At first, I was perfectly happy just playing online. But after joining Pokecazilla and seeing my colleagues head out to Gym Battles (Japan’s version of locals) or talk about their experiences at City League events, I started to feel like I was missing out.
I realized something pretty quickly: playing online is fun, but the real magic of a TCG comes from meeting people and playing face to face. And so, I decided to take the leap and join the action myself!
Before heading to my first Gym Battle, I was SUPER nervous. Not only had I never played with actual cards before (I could hardly shuffle…), but I didn’t know how much Japanese I’d need to understand or if I’d feel out of place as a foreign player. However, the more I heard my colleagues talk about how much fun it was and how welcoming most people are, the more confident I became.
What really hammered it home for me was just how accessible everything seemed. I’m really lucky to live in a great area for card shops that hold regular events, and even though my Japanese is far from perfect, I managed to get by with a bit of practice—and honestly, in many cases, English was perfectly fine too!
Starting out my competitive journey here in Japan has been amazing. The community is incredibly supportive, and it feels really cool competing in a country where Pokémon is such a massive cultural icon.
Taking the Leap: My First Gym Battle
Once I decided to take the leap into live Pokemon TCG events, the first thing I had to do was figure out how to actually join a Gym Battle. At first, not going to lie, it felt a bit overwhelming since there were so many shops hosting events, and I wasn't sure where to start. Luckily, some of my colleagues pointed me in the right direction and recommended a few great shops near my area in Ikebukuro.
From there, I found all of the event listings on the official Pokemon Card Game website here. The site has a great search tool, but since it's all in Japanese, it took me a bit of time to figure out how to navigate it. With some trial and error (and a little help from my buddy Google Translate), I found a Gym Battle that fit my schedule perfectly on a Friday night after work.
Building my deck was the next challenge, since I didn't actually have one! I'd already been playing a lot of Pokemon TCG Live, so I had a good sense of what I liked to play, but it took a little bit of time for me to choose what to spend my money on. Eventually I settled on Charizard ex, since it was something I was quite used to, and was really strong in the Stellar Miracle format at the time.
The deck I took on the day! My list has changed a bit since then...
It sounds silly, but even something as simple as sleeving cards, or shuffling efficiently felt like a crash course in competitive TCG basics. I spent way too long going over my decklist, making sure I knew what all of my cards did, since at the time I didn't have cards like Briar to play with online, and just making sure that everything was nice and smooth before the event.
On the day of my first Gym Battle approached, the nerves set in. I wasn't just worried about my deck, but what if I messed up any rules or couldn't understand my opponent? What if I made a mistake during the match and looked like I didn't belong? But I reminded myself why I wanted to play in the first place: to meet people, improve as a player and just have fun.
By the time I arrived at the shop, my nerves were still there, but the atmosphere quickly put me at ease. The players and staff were chatty and really welcoming, and I could feel the excitement as the first round approached.
The Unexpected Joys of Pokémon TCG in Japan
One thing that stood out to me during my first Gym Battle was just how organized and well run the event was. From check in to pairings, everything was super smooth and really easy to understand for a newcomer.
While the matches were intense and focused for the most part, what really stood out was how welcoming and helpful everyone was. As someone completely new to in-person play, I wasn't really sure how to properly set up or narrate my turns—announcing each move clearly for my opponent—but other players immediately stepped in to help guide me. When they learned it was my first time, they all went out of their way to make me feel comfortable, explaining the setup process and answering my questions with patience.
Here in Japan matches are a 25 minute Bo1. I found myself losing pretty quickly a few times, but even though my Japanese is far from perfect, my opponents took the time to chat with me. Asking about where I'm from and what I do, giving me deck advice, and just sharing their love of the game. It really drove home the idea that the Pokemon TCG is a community just as much as it is a competition.
A 25 Minute best of one doesnt allow a lot of time for error.
Getting a couple of special promo packs and a store credit coupon just for participating was a really fun bonus. Opening them when I got home was a little consolation prize for stepping out of my comfort zone and diving into the scene.
What surprised me the most was how accessible and enjoyable the whole experience was. Although these local style events are not unique to Japan, whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, the combination of competition and friendly atmosphere is definitely something that you should experience if you get the chance!
What Makes Pokémon TCG Special in Japan?
What has kept me coming back to events since then isn't just the fun that I get out of competing, it's the community and the experience as a whole. Every Gym Battle that I have attended has been a chance to meet new people, test my skills, and keep learning new things about the game.
I definitely think I've grown as a player. When I first started, I barely knew the Japanese terms and names, and I was constantly worried about making mistakes. But after many matches, I've gained a ton more confidence in my gameplay. I've started getting better at a lot of matchups and things like sequencing and prize mapping too. It's been super rewarding to see that growth firsthand!
The community here has played a huge role in making this journey so much fun. Whether its opponents giving advice, staff helping with event details, or just the casual chats with other players after a match, it's all been amazing.
One more thing that keeps me coming back is the variety of the events themselves. Each shop that I've been to has its own vibe, and it's always fun to go to a new place and see how they operate. Some shops are really chill while others have a much more competitive mix of players. Which is great, because I never know what to expect going in.
All in all, there's something really awesome about shuffling your deck, drawing your opening hand, setting your prize cards, and starting a match. Win or lose, each match has felt like a new puzzle to solve, and it's something that really keeps me coming back.
Come and Join the Fun!
If there's one thing that I've learned on my relatively short journey so far, it's that you don't have to be an expert at the game, or fluent in Japanese to dive into the Pokemon TCG scene here in Japan. I started with close to zero experience, and my Japanese is far from perfect, but in the end none of that mattered!
Whether you're just visiting Japan or living here, joining your first Gym Battle might feel a bit intimidating, but I promise it's worth it. You'll meet tons of amazing people, learn so much about the game, and have an unforgettable experience! Trust me, if I can do it, you can too!
If you're wondering how to get started, don't worry, I've got you covered! Next time, I'll share everything you need to know about joining your first Gym Battle, from finding an event to what you'll need to bring on the day.
Stay tuned for more, and hopefully I'll see you at an event soon! Please don't hesitate to reach out on X or in the comments either!
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