The exhibition that created a buzz across Japan is finally going overseas! The National Museum of Nature and Science has announced that the " Pokémon Fossil Museum " which has been touring Japan since 2021, will open at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on May 22 (Thursday), 2026. This unique exhibition is sure to attract international attention as a fun way to learn about popular Pokemon and real-life paleontology.
POKEMON
Popular exhibition goes global! The first North American stop is Chicago!
PR TIMESThe Pokemon Fossil Museum is a traveling exhibition organized by the National Museum of Nature and Science in collaboration with the Pokemon Company and other museums in Japan. The theme is " Comparison of paleontology and Pokemon". By comparing " fossil Pokémon " in the Pokémon world with actual fossils based on paleontology, visitors will be able to learn more about Pokémon in a friendly and educational way.
In Japan, since the first exhibition at Mikasa City Museum in July 2021, the exhibition will be held at 12 locations throughout Japan by May 2025. The total number of visitors is expected to exceed 1 million, and the exhibition has been highly supported by a wide range of visitors, from children to adults. And now, due to its popularity, the event has been expanded overseas for the first time! The North American event was made possible through cooperation with The Pokémon Company International.
Previous exhibitions have featured life-size models of Pokémon such as Omstar and Gachigoras. In addition, the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago has plenty to offer, including the iconic Tyrannosaurus " SUE " and a replica of the first ancestral bird, among other real fossil specimens.
This dream collaboration exhibit is sure to be a hit with Pokémon fans and paleontology buffs alike, and is sure to attract attention from around the world. If you missed it in Japan, why not take a chance on a trip to Chicago?
For the latest information, please check the Field Museum of Natural History's "Pokémon Fossil Museum" special page! For more information about exhibitions in Japan, please visit the official website of the National Museum of Nature and Science.
| Event Information | |
|---|---|
| Place of Exhibition | Pokémon Fossil Museum |
| Location | Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.) |
| Holding period | Thursday, May 22, 2026 - (End date undecided) |
| Organizers/Cooperators | National Museum of Nature and Science, The Pokémon Company International |
| Exhibits | Life-size models of Pokémon, skeletons and replicas of paleontological creatures, observation and comparison experiences, etc. |
| Number of visitors (reference) | Cumulative total of more than 1 million visitors during the tour in Japan (estimated as of May 2025) |
