What if I told you that you could play Pokémon GO completely offline? Sounds a bit ridiculous, right? These imaginary creatures have now caught the interest of kids and adults alike for generations. In order to stay relevant, the creators of Pokémon are always looking for new and exciting ways to keep you engaged with their world. Through this need to create inspiring games for people to play, and to keep Pokémon a lovable household name, Poké Lids were born.
What Are Poké Lids?
Many Japanese cities have decorated their manhole covers all around the city as a kind of revitalization project. While most of these covers are not Pokémon-related, many covers around Japan actually depict Pokémon. These unique pieces of art can be found in various cities all over the country, and have been affectionately named Poké Lids.
Some Pokémon enthusiasts travel all over Japan to snap a picture of each unique Poké Lid and collect them like they’re playing Pokémon GO.
Where to Find Poké Lids
Unlike many things in Japan, these Poké Lids aren’t only found in Tokyo. They can be found in every major region of Japan and even in some pretty obscure places. You can find a complete list of where to see each one on the Poké Lids website. It’s kind of nice to see an attraction unique to Japan that isn’t only centered around Tokyo, that you can participate in wherever you are in the country.
Tokyo & Kanagawa
However, if you are going to be in Tokyo, here are some of the most accessible Poké Lids to check out:
上野
The Poké Lids closest to central Tokyo are in 上野, a neighborhood famous for its sprawling park, zoo, and for cheap tasty restaurants and izakayas.
Tyrunt & Wynaut
The first Poké Lid in Ueno shows both Tyrunt and Wynaut (Poké Lids usually show at least two Pokémon) and can be found in Ueno Park, near the entrance to the National Museum of Nature and Science. So, you can go to the museum and learn about real creatures, before stopping by the Poké Lid and snapping a picture of some imaginary ones.
Baltoy & Bronzor
The second Poké Lid can also be found in Ueno Park, closer to the center of the park, near a couple of lovely man-made ponds, as well as the Tokyo National Museum, the oldest and largest art museum in Japan. So, if you’re into traditional Japanese art and want to snap a picture of some unique Poké-art at the same time, this really is the place to be.
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Machida
If you want to travel a little farther to the edges of Tokyo, you can also find six Poké Lids in Machida, many of which show the most commonly known Pokémon out there. If you’re a beginner when it comes to your knowledge of Pokémon, maybe you can start here, and then branch out to snapping pictures of some of the lesser-known ones.
Poliwag
The first Poké Lid in Machida features Poliwag, a cute water type Pokémon loosely based on a tadpole. This Poké Lid can also be found in a park, like many of them are. The park is called Serigaya Park, and along with a vast green space, it also features various unique sculptures throughout, and play equipment for kids such as zip lines and Tarzan rope swings. If your kids are into Pokémon, this is a great place to bring them.
Pidgey & Rattata
This Poké Lid is also in Serigaya Park (all of the Machida Poké Lids are, actually) and features two Pokémon, Pidgey, a bird-like Pokémon, and Rattata, a Pokémon based on a mouse. These two animal-like Pokémon can be found next to a well-known sculpture that’s also a fountain, affectionately named “Seesaw”.
Oddish, Weedle & Caterpie
The next Poké Lid features three different Pokémon, Oddish, a plant-inspired grass type Pokémon, and Weedle and Caterpie, two Pokémon loosely based on caterpillars. It’s interesting that some Pokémon are based on animals, some on plants, and some on bugs, so if you want to see some non-animal Pokémon, you should definitely check out this Poké Lid.
Squirtle
The next Poké Lid shows one of the most well-known Pokémon: Squirtle. He is a water type Pokémon based on a turtle, who is one of the original “starter Pokémon”, meaning he’s one of the Pokémon that you can choose at the beginning of a Pokémon game. Fittingly, the Squirtle Poké Lid can be found near a big water fountain sculpture.
Charmander
The next Poké Lid features Charmander, another starter Pokémon based on either a dinosaur or a lizard. He is a fire type Pokémon, with an eternal flame burning at the tip of his tail, which grows or diminishes based on his power level. The Charmander Poké Lid can be found at the north end of Serigaya park, next to a walking path a short distance from a lovely flower garden.
Bulbasaur
The last Poké Lid that you can find in Machida’s Serigaya Park is one depicting Bulbasaur, another starter Pokémon that is a grass type. He’s not exactly based on any specific animal; he’s kind of half animal, half plant. If you want to snap a photo of this classic Pokémon, you can find him on the north side of the park, next to a walking path not far from another garden with many flowering trees.
PokéPark Kanto
PokéPark Kanto is located in Inagi, another neighborhood on the outskirts of Tokyo. Here you can find a Poké Lid showing Pikachu and Eevee.
Pikachu & Eevee
This Poké Lid is located right outside of the Pokémon Center at PokéPark Kanto, so this is a prime location to shop for your favorite Poké-merch, and the take a photo of the park’s singular Poké Lid, featuring Pikachu, the most well-known Pokémon of all time, and Eevee, another classic Pokémon sort-of based on a fox, but also showing elements of a cat, dog, and rabbit.
横滨
If you’ll be in Yokohama, there are five Poké Lids for you to search out and find. All of them show Pikachu, along with another classic Pokémon such as Psyduck or Raichu. They are all located in the same area near Yokohama’s pier, some inside parks, such as the Pikachu, Psyduck, and Machop Poké Lid inside Nippon Maru Memorial Park, and some right next to parks, such as the Pikachu, Victini, and Munchlax Poké Lid very close to Rinko Park.
The Yokohama Poké Lids are a good day trip because they’re all located in the same general area, and you can enjoy many parks, as well as a view of the ocean, while searching for each one. In addition, these Poké Lids are also close to famous Yokohama landmarks such as the Cup Noodles Museum and Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse.
Osaka & Kyoto
However, if you’re going to be mostly in 大阪, there are still a lot of Poké Lids you can look out for.
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Higashiosaka
A quick trip from Osaka city, to Higashiosaka city, is where you can find five Poké Lids, showing Pokémon such as Klink and Klang, Yamper, and Raikou. Many of the city’s Poké Lids are located in or near Hanazono Central Park, a sizable park that includes a lake and a few sports stadiums. In addition, these Poké Lids are near Hanazono 温泉 Sauna Kukka, a public “super bath” that is a good place for the whole family to relax after taking photos of all the Poké Lids in the area.
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京都
If you’ll be in 京都, you can also find five Poké Lids in Kyoto city, such as one showing Chikorita and Shiftry, and one showing Pichu, Cleffa and Igglybuff. Each Poké Lid in Kyoto is actually located in its own separate park, so if you like Japanese public parks, this is a great way to explore a lot of them while collecting photos of Kyoto’s Poké Lids and getting your steps in.
Also, the Poké Lid showing Ho-oh, a beautiful phoenix-like Pokémon, is pretty close to Arashiyama Monkey Park, a unique park famous for its wild monkeys; so you can take some photos of the monkeys as well as the Poké Lids.
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Remote Islands
There are also way more Poké Lids all over the country, even in remote islands such as Zamami in Okinawa, and Ogasawara (technically a part of Tokyo but only accessible via a 24-hour ferry ride from central Tokyo). I thought I’d include some of them here just for fun.
Zamami
Zamami is known as one of the most beautiful and nature rich islands in the Okinawa island chain. It also happens to have its own Poké Lid, which really shows that the Poké Lid project is committed to making art pieces not only in major metropolitan tourist hubs, but also in more rural locations known for their beauty.
Zamami’s Poké Lid is located near the ferry terminal, and features Growlithe, a fire type Pokémon reminiscent of both a tiger and a dog, and Wailmer, a water type Pokémon that looks like a blue whale without a tail.
Ogasawara
The Ogasawara islands, one of the most remote locations in Japan, happen to have four Poké Lids of their own. All four are located near the Chichijima ferry terminal. They feature classic Pokémon such as Mew and Charizard, and all happen to show only one Pokémon each, which is rare for a Poké Lid. These Poké Lids are a great incentive for enthusiasts to visit the Ogasawara islands, if you can handle the 24-hour ferry ride. The Poké Lids are also close to multiple beaches and the Ogasawara Marine Center.
Your Journey Has Just Begun
No matter where you’re planning to visit in Japan, you have a good chance of finding some unique Poké Lids nearby. We’ve only covered Poké Lids in certain locations, so take a look at the Poké Lids website to get a full picture of every single Poké Lid out there, so you can find the ones that will be the closest to you on your trip to Japan.
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