The first four major regions introduced in the Pokémon universe are each inspired and based on parts of Japan. Since the location on which the game was based has not been officially announced, various speculations have been made. The cities and landmarks encountered in the media franchise are strikingly similar to real Japanese towns and geographical features. The Pokémon Tour will take you throughout these regions in real life, bring back the nostalgia and let you explore them as if you're a budding Pokémon trainer.
Understand
[edit]The Pokémon franchise started off in the mid 1990s as a pair of video games, Pokémon Red and Green (later released outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue). The success of the games spawned the creation of a hit anime series and popular trading card game, and led to Pokémon becoming the top-selling toy brand and overall the highest grossing media franchise in the world.
Regions
[edit]
Kanto
[edit]The Kanto region (カントー地方 kantō chihō) in the Pokémon world, the first to be introduced, corresponds to the real Kanto region in Japan as well as the eastern fringes of neighboring Chubu. Like the real Kanto, the Pokémon Kanto region is driven by modernity, technological innovation and urban sprawl.
Pallet Town
[edit]- 1 Machida (町田). Mr. Taguchi of the producer said Pokemon was born from the experience of playing in Machida during childhood.
- 1 Serigaya Park (芹ヶ谷公園), 5-16 Haramachida, ☏ +81 42-724-4399. 06:00-18:00.
- Poke Lids -Pokemon Utility Hole Covers- (ポケふた -ポケモンマンホール-), 5-16 Haramachida. 06:00-18:00. A manhole drawn by the first three pokemon is installed. The poke lid is a Pokemon Go pokestop.
- 2 Shimoda (下田).
Viridian City
[edit]- 3 Hakone. Similarities between Hakone and Viridian City include both being enveloped in forests and surrounded by mountains.
- 4 Mishima (三島).
- Tokiwa town (常磐町). Tokiwa City (トキワシティ) is the original Japanese name of Viridian City. As a residential area, there is not much to see for tourists.
Viridian Forest
[edit]- 5 Okuchichibu Mountains (奥秩父山塊).
Pewter City
[edit]Mount Moon
[edit]- 7 Mount Akagi (赤城山).
Cerulean City
[edit]Vermilion City
[edit]Geographically, it is based on Chiba City (capital city of the Chiba Prefecture). However, Yokohama (capital city of the Kanagawa Prefecture) is the largest and most luxurious seaport of the three. Yokosuka has a United States Navy base, a possible inspiration for Vermilion Gym and Lt. Surge as an "American" soldier.
S.S. Anne
[edit]- 2 Hikawa Maru (氷川丸), ☏ +81 45-641-4362. 10:00-17:00. Closed on Mondays (Open if the Monday is a public holiday, closed on the following weekday).. ¥300.
Kanto Power Plant
[edit]- 12 Tōkai Nuclear Power Plant (東海原子力発電所).
Lavender Town
[edit]Celadon City
[edit]Saffron City
[edit]- 19 Marunouchi, Chiyoda (丸の内). The Magnet Train station in Saffron City linking Kanto with Johto is based on 3 Tokyo Station, the main inter-city rail terminal in Tokyo and Japan's business station. The Magnet Train is the Pokemon equivalent of Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen or the planned magnetic levitation train between Tokyo and Osaka.
Sevii Islands
[edit]One Island
[edit]Two Island
[edit]- 24 Miyakejima (三宅島).
- 25 Mikurajima (御蔵島).
Three Island
[edit]- 26 Hachijojima (八丈島).
- 27 Hachijō-kojima (八丈小島).
Four Island
[edit]Five Island
[edit]- 29 Mukojima Islands (聟島列島).
Six Island
[edit]- 30 Chichijima Islands (父島列島).
Seven Island
[edit]Johto
[edit]The Johto region (ジョウト地方 jōto chihō) was introduced in the Generation II games, Pokémon Gold and Silver, and corresponds to the Kansai region of Japan.
Mt. Silver
[edit]- 4 Mount Fuji. The encounter with Red, the player character with humble beginnings from the first Pokémon games, at Mt. Silver may be a reference to Kuninotokotachi lore.
New Bark Town
[edit]Cherrygrove City
[edit]Violet City
[edit]- 33 Nara. Home to many historic buildings and monuments.
- 5 Kōfuku-ji. A five-story pagoda, Kōfuku-ji is the second-largest pagoda in Japan, located on northeast of Nara City. It's a reference to Sprout Tower.
- 6 Asuka Village (明日香村). There are many archaeological sites in here such as Ishibutai Kofun (石舞台古墳) and Takamatsuzuka Tomb (高松塚古墳). An inspiration for Ruins of Alph.
Azalea Town
[edit]- 34 Minabe. Minabe Town is famous for its high-quality Japanese apricots, known as ubame, and high-quality charcoal, known as Binchōtan. These attributes are the same like the Azalea Town in the game.
- 7 Kumano Kodō (熊野古道). A ancient pilgrimage routes spread across the old-growth forest that connects various sacred shrines. In the game, there's a forest guardian shrine (Celebi) in the center of Ilex Forest.
Goldenrod City
[edit]- 35 Osaka. The largest and most populous city in the Kansai region, just like Goldenrod City in the game.
- 8 Tsūtenkaku (通天閣). Goldenrod Radio Tower reference.
- Namba Walk (なんばウォーク). Goldenrod Tunnel reference.
National Park
[edit]- 9 Meiji no Mori Minō Quasi-National Park.
Pokéathlon Dome
[edit]- 10 Kyocera Dome Osaka. A baseball stadium located in Osaka.
Ecruteak City
[edit]- 36 Kyoto (京都市).
- 11 Sai-ji (西寺). A reference for Burned Tower in the game. The temple was burnt down in 1233 and to this day hasn't been rebuilt.
- 12 Kinkaku-ji (金閣). Kinkaku-ji was set on fire by a monk in 1950. The wall is covered with gold leaf. Atop the Kinkaku temple sits a golden statue of a rooster or phoenix (Ho-Oh). A reference for Bell Tower in the game.
Hoenn
[edit]The Hoenn region (ホウエン地方 hōen chihō) was introduced in the Generation III games, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, and corresponds to Japanese island of Kyushu.
Sinnoh
[edit]The Sinnoh region (シンオウ地方 shin'ō chihō) was introduced in the Generation IV games, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, and corresponds to Japanese island of Hokkaido.
Twinleaf Town
[edit]Sandgem Town
[edit]Jubilife City
[edit]- 37 Sapporo.
- 13 Sapporo TV Tower. Jubilife TV building reference.