I downloaded Pokemon GO
I had a feeling that the conveniently located cafe in front of the park would also be filled with Pokemon trainers.
The popular smartphone game "Pokemon GO".
This game had been featured in the news a lot even before it was released in Japan, so I was interested in it and thought it might have an impact on my store.
This game was also featured on the front page of today's Nikkei MJ.
I saw on the breaking news that it was now available for download, so I downloaded it right away.
Even the owner, who has never played Pokémon before, is likely to find it addictive with its fun.
However, Usagi and I...it was becoming a bit of a hassle.
It's a bit like McDonald's
A surprisingly comfortable space for a Pokémon trainer...
To put it simply, Pokemon Go is a game where you capture, raise, and battle monsters in a space linked to an actual map.
You can get items at places called Pokestops scattered around the city, and you can battle at places called gyms.
When watching the game, it seems that temples and parks are often the locations.
McDonald's is partnering with companies to turn their restaurants into gyms and PokéStops in an effort to attract more customers. I imagine there are people who are willing to pay to create this kind of environment.
In my neighborhood, the temple diagonally across the street, Ganei-ji Temple, has become a Pokestop, and the post office next door has become a gym.
Our store is located right in between them. You can access both locations from inside the store, so it's a bit like a McDonald's. We also offer free Wi-Fi.
It's a great environment for Pokemon trainers.
While waiting at the store using items called lure modules and incense, I was able to catch a ton of Pokemon.
Even during the day, users who had placed Pokemon at the post office gym were constantly changing, and after the evening there was a lot of traffic and it was slow, so I think a considerable number of people must have started playing today.
The city is likely to look a little different from tomorrow onwards.
At Usagi and Me, we ask that you refrain from playing Pokemon GO (please refrain from entering the store for gaming purposes, such as battling at gyms or training).
Basically, as long as you do not cause any inconvenience to other customers and are considerate of those around you, we will have no problem with the store.
So, I say "basically," but if we notice any behavior that is too loud for the store, such as customers playing games or going in and out of the store to go to a PokeStop a little further ahead, we will ask them to leave immediately.
This is a topic about Pokemon GO, but we also take similar measures against any other behavior that causes inconvenience to others.
This situation seems to have become a social phenomenon. Since we have no idea what the situation will be like from tomorrow onwards, we thought we would let you know in advance. We also have a sign at the entrance to the store that says "Please refrain from playing Pokemon GO."
As the newspaper article said, it would be great if this could lead to local revitalization and health promotion, but as a store, this is how it is.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
