Pokémon Secret Forest

Are Pokemon hiding along Gingko Tree Road?

As soon as I stepped onto the Gingko Tree Road in Seoul Forest, a group of Cubone greeted me. This garden-style event is being held as one branch of "Pokemon Mega Festa 2026," celebrating Pokemon's 30th anniversary, and its official name is Pokemon Secret Forest. As part of the 2026 Seoul International Garden Expo, it has been turned into a forest-themed space of about 2,800 square meters, and it runs at Seoul Forest from May 1 to June 21, 2026. Between the colorful flowers and lush trees, Pokemon like Pikachu, Eevee, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle are subtly hidden, so while walking around, it really feels like you've stepped into a field inside the game.

What I liked most was that it was not the frustrating kind of setup where you have to line up to enter a pop-up store. As you naturally walk along the park paths, you come across seven zones one by one. There is a photo zone where you can leave your picture with a 30th-anniversary frame, Pikachu Camping Village where Pikachu waves in a forest-camping concept, Rafflesia's Treasure Trove where you can try a gacha machine, and even Eevee's Secret Trail, where Eevee's evolutions are gathered. It is right in the middle of the city, yet full of greenery, so even if someone in your group does not like Pokemon, it is still a pleasant place to visit just for a walk.

Follow a foreign traveler's day like this

The first thing to know is the admission fee. Secret Forest is free to enter and you can go in freely without a separate reservation. However, some experiences such as buying limited-edition goods or taking Life Four Cuts are paid, so it is enough to bring a wallet that can handle card or mobile payments. In Korea, card and contactless payments work well almost anywhere, so you will not have much trouble even without cash.

Getting there is easy. From Exit 3 of Seoul Forest Station on the Suin-Bundang Line, it is about a 5-minute walk to the entrance of the ginkgo forest. I do not recommend driving on weekends or holidays. There is a parking lot inside Seoul Forest, but spaces fill up quickly, so public transportation is basically the right answer. Since it is an outdoor park, you can adjust your route at your own pace, and I went right after opening and enjoyed a quiet lap around the area. Around midday there are more people and more sunlight, so if you want good photos, early morning or 1 to 2 hours before closing is much more relaxed.

You do not need to worry too much about language. Pokemon itself is a universal character, and the setup is intuitive: walk through the zones, take photos, and pull gacha, so even if you do not know Korean you can still enjoy it easily by following along. If you have questions, you can ask the on-site staff. Since it is outdoors, you can use the Seoul Forest park facilities for restrooms, and there are plenty of benches and lawns, making it a good place to take breaks along the way.

Make sure to remember this so you do not make a wasted trip

Honestly, when talking about this event, the early congestion is something you cannot leave out. On the opening day, May 1, huge crowds in the Seongsu-dong area and Seoul Forest made normal operation difficult, and some events were even suspended. The reason so many people gathered was the Stamp Rally giveaway, which handed out a Magikarp promo card, but that prize event has since been canceled. So rather than going "to get the card," if you go with the mindset of "enjoying the forest and Pokemon," you will have a much easier time.

The second tip is the merchandise. The original Pokemon Store items previewed here are the main attraction, but because quantities are limited, there is a purchase limit per person. Popular items may sell out early, so if merch is your main goal, it is safest to go as early as possible. Since the event runs for a long period, new products may also be added during the operation, so it is a good idea to check Pokemon Korea's official social media once before visiting.

• Entry is free and open to everyone, but popular time slots will have lines at each photo zone
• Limited goods have per-person purchase limits and may sell out early — go at opening if merch is your goal
• Since it is an outdoor garden, weather and sunlight have a big impact. A hat, sunscreen, and comfortable sneakers are recommended
• Weekends and holidays are much busier than weekday mornings

Who I would recommend this to

It suits the generation that grew up with Pokemon, families out for a day trip with children, and travelers who want to capture pretty green photos in Korea. Since you can enter for free and stroll through an urban forest while meeting nostalgic characters, it is easy to spend a fulfilling half day without much burden. It is only 5 minutes from Seoul Forest Station, so it is also perfect for combining with a Seongsu-dong cafe tour as a one-day plan. If you avoid the busiest times, this walk of searching for Pokemon in a forest full of green will definitely remain a pleasant memory of the day.