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Poke Lids are artistic covers for utility holes (or “manholes”) installed in towns all across Japan. Each Poke Lid has a unique design featuring one or more Pokemon, and many designs also feature local tourist attractions from their installed location.
Looks like we’ve arrived at our first destination! Let’s take a look around, shall we?
Hokkaido
Hokkaido’s is Japan’s largest and northernmost prefecture, which sees cold climates and heavy snowfall. It is most famous for its beautiful mountains, natural hot springs, seafood, and ski resorts, making it a top tourist destination each winter. Its summers are mild however, turning into a popular location for hiking and exploring National Parks.
Total Number of Poke Lids: 50
Distinct Pokemon Species: 54
This Poke Lid highlights Toyako’s famous hot springs, alongside Vulpix and three Swinubs—a Pokemon known to sniff out hot springs. Toyako’s scenic landscape is surrounded by the famous Lake Toya and the active volcano Mount Usu. The town is known for having the best hot springs in Hokkaido and for its fertile agriculture and fisheries.
Lake Toya
Toyako Onsen
The Poke Lid found in Eniwa features Vulpix surrounded by beautiful flowers, a famous characteristic of this city. Blooming flowers can often be found along streets, fitting for a city named “Blessed Garden” that combines urban life and nature in harmony. Ecorin Village is a famous attraction that exhibits gardens, animal farms, and workshops on sustainable living.
Riverside Station Flower Road
Ecorin Village
With Eiscue, Cubchoo, and Alolan Vulpix, this Poke Lid highlights Asahikawa’s snowy climate and its famous “Penguin Walk” hosted by Asahiyama Zoo. Besides its waddling king penguins, Asahikawa is also known for Heiwadori Shopping Street, Japan’s first permanent pedestrian mall where you will find a variety of local craftspeople and sculptors.
Heiwadori Shopping Street
Asahiyama Zoo
What a huge change in scenery! Shall we take a look around?
Miyagi
Miyagi Prefecture is known for its picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the majestic Zao mountains to the west. Hot spring resort towns, historical castles, and the chain of Matsushima Islands are often cited as major points of interests for visitors. Its coastal environment is home to fresh seafood and some of Japan’s most fertile fishing grounds.
Total Number of Poke Lids: 36
Distinct Pokemon Species: 46
Shichigahama is a town surrounded by water on three sides, including Matsushima Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It has a mild climate, sandy beaches, and abundant marine life, as pictured by the water Pokemon in its Poke Lid. It is home to Shobuda Beach, the largest beach in Miyagi prefecture, and Azukihama, a highly popular surfing spot.
Shobutahama Public Beach
Azukihama Beach
Shiroishi City is nicknamed as the ‘gateway’ to the Zao mountain range. The city exudes the feeling of a castle town, filled with moats and waterways, historic hot springs, merchant storehouses, and the symbolic Shiroishi Castle itself. A popular attraction in Shiroishi is the Zao Fox Village, a forest home to over 100 red and arctic foxes, just like the Nickit in this Poke Lid.
Shiroishi Castle
Zao Fox Village
Ogawara is a popular town during the springtime, specifically cherry-blossom viewing season during early-mid April, as reflected by the Cherrims featured in this town’s Poke Lid. Approximately 1,200 90-year-old cherry trees line the banks of the Shiroishi River, turning it into one of Japan’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spot known as “Hitome Senbonzakura”.
Shiroishi River
Hitome Senbonzakura
Ishinomaki is a coastal port city that is also home to the island of Tashirojima, or perhaps better known as “Cat Island”. Cat Pokemon like Meowth, Glameow, Litten, and Skitty are featured on this Poke Lid. Another famous spot in the city is the Minamihama Tsunami Memorial Park, built in Hiyoriyama Park which had suffered major damages during the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake & Tsunami.
Minamihama Tsunami Memorial Park
Tashirojima Island
Welcome to the big city! What world-famous sights will we see here?
Tokyo
As Japan’s capital, the city of Tokyo is considered a merged city-prefecture (i.e. a metropolis that has features of both cities and prefectures). It is the most populated city in Japan, mixing both modern and traditional attractions into one city. It is a major hub for shopping, entertainment, culture, and dining, making it a popular spot for travelers.
Total Number of Poke Lids: 12
Distinct Pokemon Species: 17
Machida is a city that combines city life with nature. Machida is also the home town of Pokemon’s creator, Satoshi Tajiri. Tajiri’s childhood of collecting insects in the city’s then-rural greenery served as inspiration for the first Pokemon games. Today, in Serigaya Park are 6 Poke Lids that feature the first Pokemons created, such as Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander.
Serigaya Park
All 6 Poke Lids in Serigaya Park
Ueno is a district in central Tokyo known for its zoo, many museums, and cherry blossoms. The Ueno Royal Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo National Museum, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum are among the many located in Ueno Park. Fittingly, Ueno’s Poke Lid features the fossil Pokemon, Tyrunt and the curious Pokemon, Wynaut.
Ueno Park
National Museum of Nature and Science
Truly a prefecture full of traditional charm and Japanese history! How about a look around?
Kyoto
The Kyoto Prefecture is known for its rich natural beauty, historic neighborhoods, shrines and temples, and of course, Kyoto City itself. Many parts of Japanese culture that are deeply-rooted in residents today originate from Kyoto. Examples include traditional wooden townhouses, healthy Japanese foods, tea and flower arrangements, and more. This prefecture is a highly popular travel spot for both foreigners and nationals, alike.
Total Number of Poke Lids: 8
Distinct Pokemon Species: 15
Kyoto is a city with an over 1,200-year history. The city is home to 14 World Heritage Sites and over 2,000 shrines and temples such as Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Taisha. The city’s Poke Lid features Ho-Oh, a legendary historical Pokemon that serves as the mascot for the generation of Pokemon games inspired by the legends and lifestyles of Kyoto.
Kiyomizu-dera
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Uji City is home to Japan’s oldest tea shop. Tea produced in Uji is highly-regarded, making the city a famous place for tea fields, tea shops, and tea ceremonies against the backdrop of historic, sacred sites like Byodo-in Temple. The matcha tea powder Pokemons, Sinistcha and Poltchageist are characteristically featured on this city’s Poke Lid.
Uji Tea Fields
Byodo-in Temple
References
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