Though Kanto may be the place where it all began, Pokemon fans have a special place in their hearts for 💖Johto, the setting of Gold & Silver, Crystal, and HeartGold & SoulSilver. Unlike Kanto, its neighbor to the east, Johto does not share its name with its re🐷al-world counterpart.

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The Johto region is geographically based on Japan's Kansai region, which is commonly 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:contrasted with Kantō in Japanese culture. While Kantō is c🔯onsidered a modern business region, Kansai is regarded for its historical significance. As players may recall, Johto's overall architectur❀e is designed to pay homage to an older time period, especially in HeartGold & SoulSilver.

10 Violet City - Nara, Nara Prefecture 🎃

Nara City in Japan, which Violet City is based on

Nara, the capital city of the Nara prefecture, is known for its ancient pagodas and temples. In ꦇthe Generation II games and their remakes, Violet City is arguably th𓄧e second-most traditional in appearance next to Ecruteak.

violet city pokemon

The S𝔍prout Tower in Violet City could be inspired by any of the pagodas in the Nara Prefecture but appears most lik🔯e the Horyu-ji, a temple that is believed to be the world's oldest wooden building. The Ruins of Alph to the southwest of the city are directly inspired by the tiny Asuka Village, where ancient stone carvings have been found.

9 Azalea𓆏 Town - Minabe, Wakayama Prefecture

Minabe, Japan, which Azalea Town in Pokemon is based on

The similarities between Azalea Town and the real town of Minabe are very specific. Azalea Town is home to the Charcoal Kiln and the artisan Kurt, who uses Apricorns to m🐎ake specialized Poke Balls. Similarly, the town of M𝓡inabe is known for its quality charcoal called 'binchōtan', and its apricots called 'ume'.

azalea town

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The town is very lush and has many aꦺgricuꦜltural groves, which may have influenced the Ilex Forest in Johto. Minabe also has several great fishing spots, which is why the Pokemon Slowpoke is so prominent in Azalea.

8 ღGoldenrod City - Osaka, Osaka Prefecture

Osaka City, which Goldenrod City in Pokemon is based on

Goldenrod City is the largest city in the Johto region and the place where many players fall to 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Gym Leader Whitney and her overpowered Miltank. In the real world, it is obviously based on Osaka, the 🍷second-🌃largest metropolis in Japan.

goldenrod in heartgold and soulsilver

Like the Magnet Train Station based on Tokyo Station in Saffron City, Goldenrod's Magnet Train Station is based on the real Osaka Station. The Goldenrod Radio Tower could be a nod to Osaka's Tsūtenkaku, an iconic landmark of the city. The National Park to 🐓the north of Goldenrod may also represent Osaka Castle Park or the Expo Commemoration Park in Suita.

7 🌃 Ecruteak City - Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

The Golden Pavillion in Kyoto, Japan.

Any longtime Pokemon fan who steps foot in the beautiful city of Kyoto would instantly be able to see the connection to🃏 Ecruteak City. In Kyoto, two temples that are known a💦s Kinkaku, the Golden Pavillion, and Ginkaku, the Silver Pavillion, serve as the inspiration behind Ecruteak's Bell Tower and Burned Tower.

Ecruteak city

Kinkaku was actually set aflame by a monk in 1950, though it has since 🔯been restored. Kyoto's historical architecture and traditions are also characterized in-game through the Ecruteak's houses and Dance Theatre.

6 ๊ Olivine City - Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture

Kobe, Japan, which Olivine City in Pokemon is based on

The capital of Hyōgo Prefecture, Kobe is a port city approximately an hour-long train ride from Kyoto. It is responsible for giving the world Kobe beef. The city has several astounding cafes, any of which could have possibly in🎃spired the one in its Pokemon counterpart, Olivine City.

olivine city

The Glitter Lighthouse is likely inspired by Kobe's own Port Tower, a popular sightseeing spot right by the ocean. Aꦬ ferry to the Kanagawa Prefecture is also available here, just like in-game where players can board the S.S. Aqua from Olivine City to Vermilion City.

5 Cianwood City - Naruto, Tokushim💞a Prefecture, Shikoku ♛

Naruto whirlpools in Naruto, Tokushima, Japan, which is where Cianwood City in Pokemon is based on

Cianwood City's real-world equivalent Naruto is actually on a different island of Japan known as Shikoku. On the in-ga✱me map in HeartGold & SoulSilver, it appears that every area east of Cianwood is also a part of a separate island, so it would be safe to assume the entire space incorporates elements from Shikoku.

cianwood city

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To get to Cianwood for the first time, players need to surf past some whirlpools, which can be observed in the real world as the Naruto whirlpools. The Cianwood Pharmacy with the SecretPotion needed to cure 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Amphy the sick Ampharos may be a reference to the Otsuka Pharmac🌼eu🐲tical Company, which is headquartered in Naruto.

4 Mahogany Town - Koka, Shiga Prefecture 🐈

The Koka Ninja Village in Koka, Japan, where Mahogany Town in Pokemon is based on

About an hour's drive east of Kyoto is the city of Koka, which was actually a much smaller town at the time Gold & Silver was released. Described as the "Home of a Ninja" in HeartGold & SoulSilver, th💛e real city of Koka is known for its Ninja Village and history.

mahogany town

The narrow underground tunnels in the Koka Ninja Village are reflected in the narrow halls of the hidden Team Rocket HQ. Like Mahogany Town is to the Lake of Rage, Koka is also in proximity to Lake Biwa. It's the largest lake in Japan, so it makes sense for a gigantic 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Red Gyarados to live there.

3 Bl𒈔ackthorn City - Kai, Yamanashi Prefecture

The Kanazakura shrine in Kai, Yamanashi, Japan.

To get to Blackthorn City, players must traverse through the Ice Path, which is likely inspired by the Narusawa Ice Cave in Yamanashi Prefecture. This cave stays cold year-round and has frozen ponds with bea🦋utiful ice formations.

blackthorn city

Blackthorn itself geographically sits in the present-day city of Kai, which was formerly three separate towns before merging in 2004. One of these separate towns was called Ryuo, which literally means 'Dragon-King'. The Dragon's Den in the city could be a nod to the Kanazakura shrine in Yamanashi which 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:primarily features dragons.

2 New Bark T﷽own - Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Chūbu

Shizuoka City, Japan, which New Bark Town in Pokemon is based on

As the place where many players chose either 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Cyndaquil, Totodile, or Chikorita, New Bark Town is fondly remembered by many Pokemon ♕fans. Despite being one of the smallest locations in Johto, New Bark Town is actually based on Shizuoka, the capital of 🉐the Shizuoka Prefecture.

Pokemon SoulSilver - Ethan, Lyra, Cyndaquill, And Marill Meeting In New Bark Town

This is ac🍃tually outside Kansai in the neighboring Chūbu Region of Japan. In HeartGold & SoulSilver, New Bark is depicted with wind turbines, which are present in some areas of Shizuoka Prefecture.

1 Mt. Silver - Mount 🍃Fuji, Shizuoka & Yamanashi Prefectures

Mount Fuji, Japan, which Mt. Silver in Pokemon is based on

After comp🐬leting a long journey throug🥀h both Johto and Kanto, players are left with a final challenge: ascend to the peak of Mt. Silver. Home to ferocious Rock- and Ice-types, it's no surprise that Mt. Silver is based on the highest mountain in Japan, Mount Fuji.

mt silver pokemon

Once players reach the top, they will find the final boss, Red. Red💜's presence here is a reference to Kuninotokotachi, a deity in Shinto mythology who is said to live atop Mount Fuji's peak.

NEXT: 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Pokemon: 10 Johto Pokemon Yꩲou Forgot Existed