Saffron City
Saffron City (Japanese: ヤマブキシティ Yamabuki City) is a sprawling metropolis in the Kanto region. It lies in between Celadon City, Vermilion City, Lavender Town, and Cerulean City. It is home to Sabrina, the Saffron City Gym Leader.
The Copycat and Mr. Psychic also live here.
Places of interest
Battle Arena
Saffron City is where the Kanto Battle Arena is located in the anime.
Silph Co. HQ
Main article: Silph Co.
Saffron City is the headquarters for Silph Co., which produces different items that Pokémon trainers can use.
Pokémon Contest Hall
Pokémon Coordinators come to the Saffron City Contest Hall to take part in Pokémon Contests.
It only appears in the anime, when May competed in the Saffron City Conference.
Fighting Dojo
In addition to Sabrina's Template:Type2 Gym, there is also a secondary gym, the Fighting Dojo, which has Fighting-types, and where, if the Karate Master Kiyo/Koichi is defeated, the player can obtain either Hitmonchan or Hitmonlee in Generation I and Generation III.
It is closed in Generation II.
Magnet Train Station
In Generation II, the Magnet Train runs from Saffron City to Goldenrod City in Johto, connecting the two regions.
Pokémon Trainer Fan Club
People gather to discuss their favorite celebrity trainers at the Pokémon Trainer Fan Club, which does not exist in Generation I.
In Super Smash Bros.
Saffron City appears as a playable stage, specifically the roof of Silph Co., in Super Smash Bros. In the background as well, the text Gotta Catch 'em All! and Route 5 can be seen. The part of the mountain range consisting of mountains such as Mt. Moon, Cerulean Cave and Mt. Silver can be seen north of Cerulean City. Interestingly, a minor building with some blurry text can be seen. However, the text seems to start with a "F", which possibly may mean that it is the Fighting Dojo. Flying Pokémon, such as Pidgeot or Butterfree can sometimes been seen.
In the intro, Pikachu could be seen there, lying on a Poké Ball.
Name origin
Saffron is a golden yellow color like that of the spice of the same name, which is in turn cultivated from the purple-colored saffron crocus. Yamabuki iro (山吹色) refers to the golden color of Kerria flowers.