Pokémon world in relation to the real world
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This article contains fan speculation. There is no solid evidence for or against some parts of this article. |
The designs of seven of the major Pokémon regions—Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Alola—are strikingly similar in geography and demographics to regions in the real world, and sometimes even officially stated to be based on certain locations. The first four regions are based on smaller regions in Japan, while Unova and Alola are based on parts of the United States and Kalos is based on France. It is stated that the inspiration for Orre is Phoenix, Arizona.
Main regions
Kanto
The Kantō region of Japan is not only identical in name to Kanto in the Pokémon world, it is also very similar geographically; however, the western part of the game map corresponds to eastern Chūbu.
Pokémon world | Specific location | Prefecture | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pallet Town | 下田市 | Shimoda City | 静岡県 | Shizuoka | Pallet Town is based on Satoshi Tajiri's hometown Machida City in his boyhood. |
Viridian City | 箱根町 | Hakone Town | 神奈川県 | Kanagawa | |
Viridian Forest | 奥秩父山塊 | Okuchichibu Mountains | 埼玉県、山梨県、長野県 | Yamanashi, Saitama, and Nagano | |
Pewter City | 前橋市 | Maebashi City | 群馬県 | Gunma | The famous Iwajuku archaeological site and the Iwajuku Museum are located in the city of Midori. |
Mt. Moon | 赤城山 | Mount Akagi | 群馬県 | Gunma | Mt. Akagi features a crater lake near the summit |
Cerulean City | 土浦市 | Tsuchiura City | 茨城県 | Ibaraki | Tsuchiura is famous for its floating lotus blooms. |
Vermilion City | 横浜市 | Yokohama City | 神奈川県 | Kanagawa | Yokohama is the largest seaport in Japan. |
Kanto Power Plant | 東海発電所 | Tōkai Nuclear Power Plant | 茨城県 | Ibaraki | The first commercial nuclear power plant in Japan. |
Lavender Town | 成田市 or 佐倉市 | Narita City or Sakura City | 千葉県 | Chiba | |
Celadon City | 新宿 | Shinjuku | 東京都 | Tokyo | Shinjuku is the commercial center of Tokyo. |
Saffron City | 丸の内 | Marunouchi | 東京都 | Tokyo | Marunouchi is the business center of Tokyo, as well as all of Japan. |
Magnet Train station | 東京駅 | Tokyo Station | 東京都 | Tokyo | Tokyo Station is a train station located in Marunouchi. The Tōkaidō Shinkansen bullet train line runs from Tokyo to Osaka through here. |
Fuchsia City | 館山市 | Tateyama City | 千葉県 | Chiba | |
Kanto Safari Zone | 富士箱根伊豆国立公園 | Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park | 千葉県 | Chiba | |
Cycling Road | 東京湾アクアライン | Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line | It connects Kawasaki City and Kisarazu City over Tokyo Bay. It was under construction when Pokémon Red and Green were released. | ||
Seafoam Islands | ? | ? | |||
Cinnabar Island | 伊豆大島 | Izu-Ōshima | 東京都 | Tokyo | Oshima is famous for Mount Mihara, an active volcano. |
Victory Road | ? | ? | |||
Indigo Plateau | ? | ? | |||
Tohjo Falls | 白糸の滝 and 音止めの滝 | Shiraito Falls and Otodome Falls | 静岡県 | Shizuoka | Two waterfalls separated by a mere 600 feet, located southwest of Mount Fuji. |
Sevii Islands
The Sevii Islands are based on two archipelagos off the coast of Tokyo: the Izu Islands (伊豆諸島) and the Bonin Islands (小笠原諸島).
Pokémon world | Specific location | Subprefecture | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
One Island | 新島、神津島、式根島、利島 | Niijima, Kōzushima, Shikinejima and Toshima | 大島支庁 | Oshima | |
Kindle Road | 新島 | Niijima | |||
Treasure Beach | 神津島 | Kozushima | |||
Mt. Ember | 利島宮塚山 | Mt. Miyatsuka, Toshima Island | |||
Two Island | 三宅島、御蔵島 | Miyakejima and Mikurajima | 三宅支庁 | Miyake | |
Three Island | 八丈島、八丈小島 | Hachijōjima and Hachijōkojima | 八丈支庁 | Hachijō | |
Berry Forest | 八丈小島 | Hachijōkojima | |||
Three Isle Port | 底土港 | Sokodo Port | |||
Four Island | 青ヶ島 | Aogashima | 八丈支庁 | Hachijō | |
Five Island | 聟島列島 | Mukojima Islands | 小笠原支庁 | Ogasawara | All are uninhabited. |
Water Labyrinth | 西之島 | Nishinoshima | |||
Resort Gorgeous | 中ノ島 | Nakanoshima | |||
Lost Cave | 笹魚島 | Sasauojima | |||
Memorial Pillar | 媒島 | Nakoudojima | |||
Six Island | 父島列島 | Chichijima Islands | 小笠原支庁 | Ogasawara | The small islands to the north of Chichijima include Anijima (兄島) and Otōtojima (弟島), among others. |
Ruin Valley | 父島 | Chichijima | |||
Green Path | 兄島 | Anijima | |||
Outcast Island | 弟島 | Otōtojima | |||
Seven Island | 母島列島 | Hahajima Islands | 小笠原支庁 | Ogasawara | The small islands to the south of Hahajima include Anejima (姉島) and Imōtojima (妹島), among others. |
Navel Rock | 鳥島 | Torishima | 八丈支庁 | Hachijō | Known as the habitat of albatross. |
Birth Island | 南鳥島 | Minami Torishima | 小笠原支庁 | Ogasawara | The easternmost island belonging to Japan. |
Johto
In Japan, the Kantō region is often contrasted with the Kansai region, which like Johto is to the west. However, Johto is geographically more similar to the Kansai region and the western Chūbu region combined.
Pokémon world | Specific location | Prefecture | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mt. Silver | 富士山 | Mount Fuji | 静岡県 and 山梨県 | Shizuoka and Yamanashi | The encounter with Red at Mt. Silver may be a reference to Kuninotokotachi. Waiting atop Mt. Silver as the series’ highest-level Trainer opponent, Red was the player character with humble beginnings from the first Pokémon games; Kuninotokotachi is said to be the first Japanese deity, born of something resembling a reed following the creation of heaven and earth, who resides atop Mt. Fuji. |
New Bark Town | 静岡市 | Shizuoka City | 静岡県 | Shizuoka | HGSS released with wind turbines added to New Bark Town at the same time construction was completed on a small wind-farm in Shizuoka City. |
Cherrygrove City | 豊橋市 | Toyohashi City | 愛知県 | Aichi | Toyohashi City is famous for floral parks and festivals, including azaleas and iris flowers that closely match the flowers added to Cherrygrove City in HGSS. |
Dark Cave | 赤石山脈 | Akaishi Mountains | 長野県, 山梨県 and 静岡県 | Nagano, Yamanashi and Shizuoka | A difficult-to-navigate mountain range that contains 10 of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. |
Violet City | 奈良市 and 名古屋市 | Nara City and Nagoya City | 奈良県 and 愛知県 | Nara and Aichi | Home to many historic buildings and monuments, Nara is where Japan was founded as a state. One of Japan’s largest cities, Nagoya is prominent in higher education. |
Sprout Tower | 法隆寺五重塔 | Hōryū-ji Five-story pagoda | 奈良県 | Nara | Hōryū-ji Pagoda and Kondō are the oldest wooden structures in existence in the world. |
Ruins of Alph | 明日香村 | Asuka Village | 奈良県 | Nara | There are many archaeological sites in Nara such as Ishibutai Kofun (石舞台古墳) and Takamatsuzuka Tomb (高松塚古墳). |
Azalea Town | みなべ町 | Minabe Village | 和歌山県 | Wakayama | Minabe is famous for its high-quality Japanese apricots, known as ume, and high-quality charcoal, known as Binchōtan. |
Ilex Forest | |||||
Goldenrod City | 大阪市 | Ōsaka City | 大阪府 | Ōsaka | Osaka is the most populous city in the Kansai region. |
National Park | 明治の森箕面国定公園 or 万博記念公園 | Meiji no Mori Minoo Quasi-National Park or Expo Memorial Park | 大阪府 | Ōsaka | In the Expo Park is a famous monument called the Tower of the Sun. |
Goldenrod Radio Tower | 通天閣 | Tsutenkaku | 大阪府 | Ōsaka | Tsutenkaku is one of the most popular landmarks in Osaka. |
Ecruteak City | 京都市 | Kyōto City | 京都府 | Kyōto | |
Burned Tower | 金閣 | Kinkaku-ji | 京都府 | Kyōto | Kinkaku-ji was set on fire by a monk in 1950 (金閣寺放火事件). The wall is covered with gold leaf. Atop the Kinkaku temple sits a golden statue of a rooster or phoenix (Ho-Oh). |
Bell Tower | 銀閣 | Ginkaku | 京都府 | Kyōto | Ginkaku is not covered with silver leaf. Atop the Ginkaku temple rests the likeness of a bird (Lugia). |
Olivine City | 神戸市 | Kōbe City | 兵庫県 | Hyōgo | Kobe is the major port city in the Kansai region. Kobe is also well known for wagyū, or Kobe beef. |
Glitter Lighthouse | 和田岬 | Cape Wada | 兵庫県 | Hyogo | |
Whirl Islands | 淡路島 | Awajishima | 兵庫県 | Hyōgo | The Naruto Strait between Awajishima and Shikoku is famous for the Naruto whirlpools. Soul Silver describes Lugia splitting one island into the Whirl Islands to end a war; Awajishima was the epicenter of the Great Hanshin earthquake, with a portion of the island’s damaged fault zone preserved to this day. |
Cianwood City | 鳴門市 | Naruto City | 徳島県 | Tokushima | Naruto is where Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. began. |
Mt. Mortar | 比叡山 | Mount Hiei | 滋賀県 | Shiga | “Marathon Monks” would undergo exhaustive exercises on Mount Hiei. Kiyo trains in isolation deep within Mt. Mortar. |
Mahogany Town | 甲賀市 | Kōka City | 滋賀県 | Shiga | Kōka is where the famous Kōga ninja were born and educated (Kōga-ryū, 甲賀流). |
Lake of Rage | 琵琶湖 | Lake Biwa | 滋賀県 | Shiga | Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan. |
Ice Path (Mahogany Entrance) | 伊吹山 | Mt. Ibuki | 岐阜県 and 滋賀県 | Gifu and Shiga | An easy-to-climb mountain that is famous for receiving the world’s heaviest recorded snowfall. |
Ice Path (Blackthorn Entrance) | 鳴沢氷穴 | Narusawa-hyōketsu Ice Cave | 山梨県 | Yamanashi | A cave in Aokigahara Forest that remains frigid year-round, this site features elaborate ice formations and a subterranean frozen pond. |
Blackthorn City | 竜王町 (now 甲斐市) | Ryūō (now Kai) | 山梨県 | Yamanashi | Ryūō was a small town whose name meant “Dragon King”. HAL Laboratory had an office located here; the Move Deleter may have been a reference to then-president Satoru Iwata’s graphical compression of Gold and Silver. |
Dragon's Den | 金櫻神社 | Kanazakura-jinja Shrine | 山梨県 | Yamanashi | Together with the lava-filled Blackthorn Gym located directly above, the water-bound Dragon’s Den reflects this shrine which features the Rising and Falling Dragons, each safeguarding either a Fire Crystal or a Water Crystal. |
Hoenn
Hoenn is based on the southernmost parts of Japan—Kyūshū and surrounding islands.
Sinnoh
Sinnoh has been said to be an island like Hoenn, rather than a peninsula. It is based on the northernmost major island of Japan, Hokkaido. Part of Kunashir Island (Japanese: 国後島 Kunashiri Island, Russian: Кунашир Kunashir), which is in dispute between Russia and Japan, is also included.
Battle Zone
The Battle Zone is based on Sakhalin (Japanese: 樺太 Karafuto, Russian: Сахалин Sakhalin), a Russian island that used to be claimed by Japan (some parts of Sakhalin are still in dispute, but none of them are the basis for the Battle Zone).
Pokémon world | Specific location | Raion | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fight Area | Шебунино | Shebunino | Невельский | Nevelsky | |
Survival Area | Таранай | Taranay | Анивский | Anivsky | |
Stark Mountain | ? | ? | |||
Resort Area | Новиково | Novikovo | Корсаковский | Korakovsky |
Unova
Unova has been said to be significantly distant from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. Instead of being based on an area of Japan, Unova is based on New York City (mostly Manhattan) and parts of eastern New Jersey.
Kalos
Kalos is based on the northern half of Metropolitan France and the Channel Islands which are part of the British Isles.
Alola
Pokémon world | Specific location | Island | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Melemele Island | Oʻahu | Houses the state capital and the former monarchy of Hawaii. Its designated island color is yellow (melemele in Hawaiian) and its designated island flower is the ʻilima. | ||
Hau'oli City | Honolulu | Oʻahu | The state capital of Hawaii. | |
Hau'oli City Beachfront | Waikīkī | Oʻahu | ||
Hau'oli City Shopping District | Ala Moana | Oʻahu | The mall is based on the Ala Moana Center, the largest shopping mall in Hawaiʻi. | |
Hau'oli City Marina | Pearl Harbor | Oʻahu | ||
Hau'oli City Outskirts | Hawaiʻi Kai | Oʻahu | ||
Iki Town | Wahiawā | Oʻahu | ||
Mahalo Trail | ʻAiea Loop Trail | Oʻahu | ||
Verdant Cavern | Kaneana Cave (Makua Cave) | Oʻahu | ||
Ten Carat Hill | Diamond Head | Oʻahu | ||
Berry fields | Dole Plantation | Oʻahu | ||
Seaward Cave | Mermaid Cave | Oʻahu | ||
Kala'e Bay | Hanauma Bay | Oʻahu | ||
Ruins of Conflict | Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau | Oʻahu | The largest heiau on Oahu. | |
Melemele Sea | Kaiwi Channel | Oʻahu | An ocean channel that separates Oahu from Molokaʻi. | |
Akala Island | Maui | Its designated island color is pink (ʻākala in Hawaiian). | ||
Heahea City | Kahului | Maui | ||
Brooklet Hill | ʻOheʻo Gulch | Maui | Known for its cascading series of pools, sometimes known as the "Seven Sacred Pools." | |
Paniola Town | Makawao | Maui | A community on Maui known to be dominated by agriculture and ranch lands. | |
Paniola Ranch | Haleakala Ranch | Maui | Largest ranch on Maui. | |
Diglett's Tunnel | Olowalu Tunnel | Maui | A long tunnel that connects Lahaina to Wailuku. Located on Honoapi'ilani Highway. | |
Konikoni City | Lāhainā | Maui | ||
Hano Grand Resort | Grand Wailea Resort | Maui | ||
Hano Beach | Wailea | Maui | Waialea is an area of Maui noted for its numerous grand hotels. | |
Wela Volcano Park | Haleakalā National Park | Maui | The tallest volcano on Maui and is currently inactive. Terrain is closer to Kīlauea. | |
Lush Jungle | Hana Forest Reserve | Maui | ||
Ruins of Life | Piʻilanihale Heiau | Maui | The largest heiau in the State of Hawaii. | |
Ula'ula Island | Hawaii Island | The largest island in the archipelago. Its designated island color is red (ʻulaʻula in Hawaiian). | ||
Malie City | Hilo | Hawaii Island | Largest settlement on Hawaii Island. Noted locally for its particularly rainy climate. | |
Malie Garden | Liliuokalani Park and Gardens | Hawaii Island | Designed like an Edo-style Japanese Garden, having numerous structures such as pagodas, torii, and a Japanese teahouse. | |
Mount Hokulani | Mauna Kea | Hawaii Island | The largest mountain in the world when measured from its base below sea level. Currently a dormant volcano. | |
Hokulani Observatory | Mauna Kea Observatories | Hawaii Island | ||
Blush Mountain | Kīlauea | Hawaii Island | A currently active and erupting volcano. A power plant in the Puna district of Hawaii is using the geothermal vents from Kilauea to generate electricity. | |
Secluded Shore | Kaimū | Hawaii Island | A black sand beach that requires an extensive hike from the nearest automobile accessible road. | |
Tapu Village | Kalapana | Hawaii Island | A former inhabited town that was destroyed by a Kīlauea lava flow in 1986. Pele, Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, is believed to be the cause of the town's destruction. | |
Haina Desert | Kaʻū Desert | Hawaii Island | Although not a true desert, the sulfur dioxide from Kīlauea's sulfuric lava plumes creates enough acid rain that plant growth is severely inhibited. | |
Lake of the Sunne/Lake of the Moone | Lake Waiau | Hawaii Island | The largest lake in Hawaii, located on Mauna Kea | |
Po Town | Kailua-Kona | Hawaii Island | ||
Mount Lanakila | Mauna Loa | Hawaii Island | The largest shield volcano on earth; it is currently active. Mauna Loa is one of two locations to annually have snow in Hawaii, the other being Mauna Kea. | |
Ruins of Abundance | Puʻukoholā Heiau | Hawaii Island | The largest heiau on Hawaii Island, and the last heiau ever built. | |
Poni Island | Kauaʻi | Its designated island color is purple (poni in Hawaiian). | ||
Seafolk Village | Port Allen | Kauaʻi | ||
Poni Wilds | Kalalau Valley | Kauaʻi | A secluded valley on the northwest side of Kaua'i. It has no inhabitants and is completely inaccessible by automobiles. | |
Poni Breaker Coast | Poʻipū | Kauaʻi | Famous for the geological blowhole known locally as Spouting Horn. | |
Ancient Poni Path | Waimea | Kauaʻi | ||
Vast Poni Canyon | Waimea Canyon State Park | Kauaʻi | ||
Altar of the Sunne/Altar of the Moone | Mount Waiʻaleʻale/Kawaikini | Kauaʻi | Mount Wai'ale'ale is the main volcano of Kauaʻi and is currently extinct. Kawaikini is the tallest peak of the mountain. | |
Poni Grove | Līhuʻe | Kauaʻi | ||
Poni Plains | Kapaʻa/Wailua | Kauaʻi | ||
Poni Coast | Kalihiwai | Kauaʻi | ||
Poni Meadow | Fern Grotto | Kauaʻi | A natural grotto that can only be accessed via a boat up the Wailua River. | |
Poni Gauntlet | Hanalei | Kauaʻi | ||
Battle Tree | Ha'ena | Kauaʻi | ||
Ruins of Hope | Wailua River State Park | Kauaʻi | An area of Kauaʻi containing several important heiau. Malae is the largest heiau on Kaua'i while Poliʻahu is the most important heiau in Kaua'i lore. | |
Exeggutor Island | Niʻihau/Kahoʻolawe | One of the main Hawaiian Islands and is located west of Kauaʻi. It is privately owned and can only be visited via boat with permission by the owners. Kahoʻolawe has no human inhabitants and only goats live on the island. | ||
Aether Paradise | Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument | Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument consists of all the islands located northwest of Niʻihau in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is a U.S. National Monument and nature preserve dedicated to preserving and protecting numerous Hawaiʻi endemic endangered species. |
Side regions
Orre
Orre is based on Phoenix, Arizona, United States.[2]
Pokémon world | Specific location | State | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Phenac City | Phoenix | Arizona | Both cities were founded when a man brought water to the city. |
Pyrite Town | Likely inspired by former mining towns such as Aguila and Wickenburg. | ||
The Under | |||
Agate Village | Probably not based on any specific community, but possibly a nod to Arizona's snowbird population. | ||
Gateon Port | Lake Havasu City | Arizona | Towns by large bodies of water northwest of Phoenix/Phenac, home to lighthouses and unusual bridges. |
Fiore
Fiore may be based on Naples and the surrounding area in Italy and parts of the Oshima Peninsula in Hokkaido.
Pokémon world | Specific location | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
Ringtown | |||
Summerland | |||
Fall City | |||
Wintown |
Almia
Almia is based on the Oshima and Hiyama subprefectures within Oshima Peninsula in Hokkaido and the very northern part of Honshu in Japan.
Pokémon world | Specific location | Prefecture (subprefecture) | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicole Village | 松前町 | Matsumae | 北海道(渡島総合振興局) | Hokkaido (Oshima) | |
Vientown | 江差町 | Esashi | 北海道(檜山振興局) | Hokkaido (Hiyama) | |
Vien Forest | 函館山 | Mount Hakodate | 北海道(渡島総合振興局) | Hokkaido (Oshima) | Mount Hakodate attracts tourists for its view of Hakodate. |
Pueltown | 函館市 | Hakodate | 北海道(渡島総合振興局) | Hokkaido (Oshima) | Hakodate and Pueltown are both port cities. |
Altru Park | 五稜郭公園 | Goryōkaku Park | 北海道(渡島総合振興局) | Hokkaido (Oshima) | The Goryōkaku Tower overlooks Goryōkaku Park. |
Altru Building Altru Tower |
五稜郭タワー | Goryōkaku Tower | 北海道(渡島総合振興局) | Hokkaido (Oshima) | The observation tower, which overlooks Goryōkaku Park, was rebuilt from 2004 to 2006. |
Boyleland | むつ市 | Mutsu | 青森県 | Aomori | |
Boyleland Volcano | 恐山 | Mount Osore | 青森県 | Aomori | |
Shiver Camp | ニセコ町 | Niseko | 北海道(後志総合振興局) | Hokkaido (Shiribeshi) | Niseko is home to multiple ski resorts. |
Haruba Village | 青森市 | Aomori | 青森県 | Aomori | The Port of Aomori operates ferries to Hakodate. |
Capture Arena | 渡島大島 | Ōshima | 北海道(渡島総合振興局) | Hokkaido (Oshima) | The uninhabited island is also a nature preserve. |
Oblivia
Oblivia may be based on the Oki Islands in Shimane Prefecture. It may also draw inspiration from Hawaii.
Pokémon world | Specific location | Prefecture | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolce Island | |||||
Renbow Island | |||||
Cocona Village | |||||
Mitonga Island | |||||
Tilt Village | |||||
Faldera Island | |||||
Sophian Island | |||||
Aqua Resort | |||||
Layuda Island | |||||
Tilikule Island |
Ferrum
Ferrum seems to draw inspiration from Greece.
Pokémon world | Specific location | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ferrum Stadium | Ardanovo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Neos City | Githio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Old Ferrum Town | Patras | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tellur Town | Larissa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selen Island | Ionian Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Techne City | Athens
Landscape
While the above locations are meant to correspond to the different regions of Japan, great liberties were taken with the design of their landscape. Some of the designers have admitted to drawing inspiration from real-world locations outside Japan, especially with locations shown in Pokémon movies.
Real-world locations mentioned
Real-world people and cultures mentioned
Other references to the real world
References |