[Interview] Yukiya Yamazaki on "Pikmin Bloom": From Behind the Scenes of the Sendai Event to the App's Future Vision
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/560/G056049/20251001040/
Writer: Tangsanka | 2025/10/02 08:00 (UTC)
Niantic’s location-based walking game “Pikmin Bloom” (iOS / Android) held its real-world event, “Pikmin Bloom Journey 2025: Sendai,” in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture on September 20 and 21, 2025.
At the venue of “Pikmin Bloom Journey 2025: Sendai,” 4Gamer had the opportunity to speak with Yuzuru Yamazaki, the Overall Project Supervisor. In this article, we share extensive insights into the city of Sendai and the heartfelt intentions behind the game.
Overall Project Supervisor Yuzuru Yamazaki Image Gallery No.016 thumbnail / [Interview] “Pikmin Bloom” Yuzuru Yamazaki shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sendai event to visions of the app’s future
Sendai, “The City of Trees,” is a perfect match for Pikmin!
4Gamer:
This marks the first time “Pikmin Bloom” has held an event in northeastern Japan, specifically in Miyagi Prefecture’s Sendai City. Could you share your intentions behind organizing “Pikmin Bloom Journey 2025: Sendai”?
Yamazaki (hereafter Yamazaki):
Since our very first walking event, “Pikmin Bloom Tour 2023: Sapporo,” we’ve always wanted to reach as many people as possible by hosting events in diverse locations.
We’ve held numerous large-scale events with support from local communities beyond the “Pikmin Bloom Tour” and “Pikmin Bloom Journey,” but it’s been a point of concern that we hadn’t yet hosted an event in the Tohoku region.
Sendai City, known as “The City of Trees,” is ideal for “Pikmin Bloom”—a game centered around planting flowers. This natural synergy between concept and city makes Sendai a perfect fit. The urban scale suits our events just right, which made us eager to make this happen. We’re truly delighted that the timing and circumstances aligned perfectly.
4Gamer:
After attending, I found that even in city areas, the beauty of nature was very close at hand. Additionally, it was enjoyable to visit various spots—historical sites related to the famous figure Date Masamune and bustling shopping districts—all balanced well together.
Yamazaki:
This was my second time visiting Sendai City. Even just within the area around the station, there are diverse attractions like historical sites and hot springs—very appealing in their variety. Step a little further out, and you’ll find rivers and mountains too, making for excellent balance.
I personally visited all the special event spots during the event, and I felt incredibly refreshed throughout—the city truly feels wonderful.
4Gamer:
One of the joys of real-world events is discovering new things while walking through a city.
Yamazaki:
Absolutely. “Pikmin Bloom” incorporates daily walks into gameplay—from casual strolls to full-on walking routines.
As mentioned earlier, we want to host events in various regions for two reasons: first, so local residents can experience their own hometowns in new ways; second, so people from other areas come visit and discover something exciting.
That’s why our special event spots aren’t just a broad list of historical sites or shop listings like a tour guide. Instead, we carefully select locations that offer unique value—places where discovering them enhances the enjoyment, focusing on quality over quantity.
4Gamer:
During the media preview tour, I was able to hear firsthand stories from local city employees—an invaluable opportunity. As with past events, you’ve closely collaborated with local governments, haven’t you?
Yamazaki:
“Pikmin Bloom” is enjoyable in everyday walking, but it’s especially well-suited for real-world events that encourage exploration of new places.
When deciding on a venue, we consult the Sendai City authorities about ideal locations, share our own suggestions such as “this spot might be great,” and discuss options considering walkability and distance.
Too easy and the event feels underwhelming; too hard, and participants may not enjoy it—especially since attendees span all ages. So this time around, completing all spots was definitely a challenge for many.
4Gamer:
I completed all locations with breaks in between and felt the area size was just right—achievable yet satisfying.
Yamazaki:
Exactly. This isn’t a grueling, nonstop walk. It’s meant to be fun while exploring different parts of the city. Including cafes or shops selling local specialties helps guests enjoy their sightseeing too—it’s great when they can relax and savor the experience.
We aim for an ideal length so people can comfortably enjoy one day without feeling rushed.
The event map is available here Image Gallery No.004 thumbnail / [Interview] “Pikmin Bloom” Yuzuru Yamazaki shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sendai event to visions of the app’s future
Events evolve: Big Flowers and festival mushrooms appear
4Gamer:
This event featured yellow Pikmin, but “Pikmin Bloom Journey” has a subtle narrative element that makes you feel like you’re traveling alongside the Pikmin—something quite charming.
Yamazaki:
While usually story-driven content is minimal, the paid version of “Pikmin Bloom Journey” includes a picture-book-style storyline.
This time, we introduced a particularly greedy yellow Pikmin who keeps asking for more essence from special flowers—even after receiving some (laughing).
4Gamer:
I actually found myself saying out loud during the event: “Wait—still want more?” It was such a fun moment! Because of their unique personalities and shared memories, you end up forming stronger attachments to these Pikmin. They’re all cute, but this one feels especially special.
Yamazaki:
We work as a team to craft stories that make the event engaging and enjoyable for everyone.
Image Gallery No.005 thumbnail / [Interview] “Pikmin Bloom” Yuzuru Yamazaki shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sendai event to visions of the app’s future Image Gallery No.006 thumbnail / [Interview] “Pikmin Bloom” Yuzuru Yamazaki shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sendai event to visions of the app’s future
4Gamer:
Beyond the app, I was thrilled to see a giant real-world “Big Flower” sculpture appear for the first time in Sendai City during this event.
Yamazaki:
At last year’s “Pikmin Bloom Journey 2024: Tokyo Dome City,” we created mushroom-shaped balloons. Since then, our team had been thinking about making a Big Flower too—but due to timing constraints, it wasn’t possible until now. This is its debut.
4Gamer:
It feels like the game and reality are merging more closely—deepening immersion. Seeing participants wearing Pikmin sunglasses really makes you feel immersed in the “Pikmin Bloom” world.
Yamazaki:
Absolutely true. Normally, we only see Pikmin invisibly following us on walks—but at real events, you can actually become a Pikmin yourself (laughing).
Early on, I wondered how many people would wear the sunglasses. Seeing everyone don them was heartwarming—and even non-participants showed interest!
4Gamer:
The giant “Festival Mushroom” exclusive to this event was also memorable. With no participant limit, everyone at the venue could join in—this is truly one of a kind for real-world events.
Yamazaki:
Many dedicated players attend our real events, so regular mushrooms often fill up instantly. We’ve previously heard feedback like “The mushroom gets filled too quickly,” so we kept discussing solutions—and this time introduced the “Festival Mushroom,” which allows unlimited participation.
This special feature is spread even wider than the usual special areas. It’s a bit challenging to find them all, but that’s part of the fun—we’ve built in an element where searching for these mushrooms becomes enjoyable in itself.
4Gamer:
Thanks to the “Active 2-Day Option” (a paid add-on), participants could join both days—perfect for exploring every corner of Sendai City and making full use of the “Festival Mushroom” hunt.
Yamazaki:
The “Active 2-Day Option” was one reason we expanded the Festival Mushroom’s reach. We don’t want to pressure players with “there are so many—enjoy them all!” While a day trip works well, since this is a weekend event, we wanted to make it even more rewarding for those staying overnight.
Image Gallery No.009 thumbnail / [Interview] “Pikmin Bloom” Yuzuru Yamazaki shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sendai event to visions of the app’s future Image Gallery No.010 thumbnail / [Interview] “Pikmin Bloom” Yuzuru Yamazaki shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sendai event to visions of the app’s future
4Gamer:
Where exactly were these Festival Mushrooms placed?
Yamazaki:
They’re located at many well-known spots. There are about ten in total, including the Zuihōden (the mausoleum of Date Masamune, founder of Sendai Domain).
Since this year’s app update expanded map coverage to include distant locations, players can now see faraway mushrooms and Big Flowers on screen. The Festival Mushroom and special spot locations are also visible—so be sure to use them in future events!
4Gamer:
For history fans visiting Sendai, exploring sites related to Date Masamune is a must. Finding the Festival Mushroom at Zuihōden would make for an unforgettable memory.
Yamazaki:
Exactly—but we don’t require it! We wouldn’t want anyone feeling overwhelmed. Instead, we aim to let visitors enjoy based on their interests—those drawn to specific attractions or those wanting to collect postcards earned by destroying mushrooms.
4Gamer:
The event-exclusive postcards are especially beautiful, just like the special spots’ ones.
Yamazaki:
I believe “Pikmin Bloom” offers multiple ways to enjoy: walking with cute Pikmin, collecting seasonal Deco Pikmin, and more. One of these is gathering postcards—something that deeply resonates with passionate players. What’s especially appealing is that you can trade them with friends, sharing memories.
We’re excited about future possibilities for postcard use beyond collection.
Image Gallery No.011 thumbnail / [Interview] “Pikmin Bloom” Yuzuru Yamazaki shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sendai event to visions of the app’s future Image Gallery No.012 thumbnail / [Interview] “Pikmin Bloom” Yuzuru Yamazaki shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sendai event to visions of the app’s future
4Gamer:
This time, many international participants joined. Are real-world events now being held overseas too? Has the game’s global popularity grown?
Yamazaki:
Recently, features like “Weekly Challenge” allow players to join groups with anyone—even strangers—and new items such as the “Mushroom Megaphone” enable inviting distant friends for mushroom challenges. This has helped many form friendships across countries.
For example last year, “Pikmin Bloom” became a hit in South Korea, and we often saw people reaching out: “I want Japanese postcards—can we be friends?”
These growing connections inspire us to continue spreading Japan’s beloved IP worldwide. We’re grateful for the increasing player base, but we never force friendships—we always prioritize maintaining a comfortable experience for every individual.
Additionally, I believe interest in real-world events is encouraging more overseas visitors to come to Japan just to play. And it would be wonderful if more Japanese players attended “Pikmin Bloom Tour 2025: Kaohsiung” (Taiwan), held on October 11 and 12.
The original intention—“Let locals enjoy their own area, and let others from afar discover new places”—remains unchanged globally.
4Gamer:
Are there any elements you’d like to deepen in future real-world events?
Yamazaki:
I believe “Pikmin Bloom” is deeply rooted in the core concept of “walking,” which makes it a perfect fit for travel and exploring different places. This year, we launched a feature called “City Walking,” where real-world events are included under this umbrella. We now have a “City Walking Portal” that lets players revisit event information.
Moving forward, whether big or small, we aim to expand our presence across various locations worldwide so people everywhere can enjoy the game.
Future Vision for the App
4Gamer:
Let’s now revisit the core appeal of “Pikmin Bloom.” What thoughts are behind your mission to “make walking fun”?
Yamazaki:
Our company’s mission is to encourage people to go outside and explore. “Pikmin Bloom” embodies this ideal most directly—since you can’t start without walking. We hope it becomes a companion for everyday strolls or walks.
4Gamer:
Recently, rare Deco Pikmin have been added in places like restaurants and supermarkets—making the daily search more fun.
Yamazaki:
We call these everyday encounters “Location-based Deco Pikmin.” You’ll find “Mountain Deco Pikmin” when you go hiking, or “Bridge” and “Water’s Edge Deco Pikmin” near rivers.
This connection between real-life movement and the game world is only possible through location-based gaming—something we constantly consider. As long as players enjoy discovering new spots by exploring, we’re happy.
4Gamer:
Now I’ve memorized rare spawning locations like “laundromat Deco Pikmin” and actually walk there just to find them. Thanks to the game, I’ve been to so many places—laughs.
Yamazaki:
Exactly (laughs). While discovering new things during travel is natural, finding such joys even on familiar routes is a unique value only this app can offer.
One fun aspect of real-world events: players receive gold seeds for “Location-based Deco Pikmin” at each special spot Image Gallery No.013 thumbnail / [Interview] “Pikmin Bloom” Yuzuru Yamazaki shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sendai event to visions of the app’s future Image Gallery No.014 thumbnail / [Interview] “Pikmin Bloom” Yuzuru Yamazaki shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sendai event to visions of the app’s future
4Gamer:
What do you and your development team prioritize or consciously focus on?
Yamazaki:
Avoiding feature overload. As features grow, interfaces tend to get complex—so we aim to keep things simple for newcomers. We also believe improving inconvenient features is just as important as adding new ones.
4Gamer:
Since it’s meant to be loved long-term, some might hesitate at the first step. Do you have advice for beginners?
Yamazaki:
Some games create huge gaps between early and late starters—but in “Pikmin Bloom,” while levels and Deco Pikmin variety differ, the core joy—finding seeds and walking with your Pikmin—remains unchanged.
4Gamer:
That’s true. The mushroom challenge requires a certain level, and the number of Pikmin you can lead depends on your level—but overall, it’s still peaceful walking. As for “Location-based Deco Pikmin,” real-world luck matters more than levels (laughs).
Yamazaki:
Exactly (laughs). By level 20, players catch up nearly completely with those who’ve been playing longer. Newcomers can look forward to discovering many yet-to-be-found “Location-based Deco Pikmin”—so every time you go out, a new surprise awaits! Collecting various Deco Pikmin is truly an enjoyable journey.
We also strive to revive event-exclusive Deco Pikmin whenever possible—because it would be disappointing if newcomers couldn’t ever get them. We aim to ensure everyone—new and long-time players alike—can have fun.
4Gamer:
The Flower Badge earned from completing Community Day missions is nice, especially since you can also earn it during regular events—very thoughtful!
Yamazaki:
“Community Day,” featuring seasonal flowers, now happens monthly on a Saturday or Sunday due to popular demand. Still, some people have busy weekends.
So we’ve scheduled additional Community Days around anniversaries and half-anniversary moments. Completing the themed challenges lets you earn special Flower Badges for that period. For those who want all badges, we also offer “extremely difficult” quests—rewarding with unique gold items. This way, everyone can find joy in different ways.
4Gamer:
What are your future goals for the app?
Yamazaki:
There’s still a lot I can’t reveal yet (laughs). One idea is “Life Log”—automatically recording data like steps walked with Pikmin, flowers planted, and photos taken—so players can reflect on their journey later.
Working closely with Nintendo, we aim to create something that lasts 10 or even 20 years. To help preserve memories effectively, we’ll keep exploring how best to implement such features—from what elements would be valuable to how newcomers could enjoy the experience.
4Gamer:
Finally, any message for fans?
Yamazaki:
Thank you so much for playing and sharing your comments—we’re truly inspired. We’re approaching our 4th anniversary soon, and we’ve got exciting events planned—please look forward to them!
As mentioned earlier, we aim for a decade-long journey with this app. It would be wonderful if you continue enjoying it alongside us—and we’ll grow together with all of you. Thank you so much.
4Gamer:
Thank you very much.
—— Recorded on September 20, 2025