Do you know that there are Pokémon manholes in Japan?
Pokémon manholes, also known as Poké-lids, are manhole covers with Pokémon pictures on them, and are donated by Pokémon Inc. to local governments to promote the appeal of various regions in Japan through Pokémon.
Rumor has it that someone has drawn a picture of a Pokémon as a mark to cover holes that have been dug up by the mole Pokémon Diglett.
All the places with Pokémon manholes are also PokéStops in Pokémon GO.
Since no two manholes have the same design and depict Pokémon related to each region of Japan, it is recommended that you take pictures of the manholes as a souvenir of your trip and collect them.
As of October 2024, there are 378 Pokémon manholes throughout Japan, but 12 have been installed in Okinawa Prefecture. Ten of them are located on the main island of Okinawa, and two are on remote islands: one in Miyakojima City and the other in Ishigaki City.
In this article, I, a resident of Yaeyama area, will show you the location of the only Ishigaki City PokéLid in the Yaeyama Islands!
Ishigaki City's Poké Lids are decorated with Mantine and Remoraid
The Poké-lid (Pokémon manhole) in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost Poké-lid in Japan.
Installed on March 11, 2022, it features the Pokémon "Mantine," which resembles a manta ray (Itomaki ray), and the fish Pokémon "Tephyo," which has a small horn on its head and a tail and dorsal fin growing from the top and bottom at the rear of its body " are depicted.
Ishigaki Island is known as a diving area with one of the highest manta ray encounter rates in the world.
There are many manta points around Ishigaki Island where manta rays often appear, so it makes sense that Mantine was chosen for the pocket lid of Ishigaki Island!
In Japan, the teppo fish has been confirmed to live only in Iriomote Island in the Yaeyama Islands, but it has also been found in Ishigaki Island, which explains why Remoraid can only appear in manholes in the Yaeyama Islands on Poké lids throughout Japan.
Ishigaki Island's Poké lids are based on a blue background that imitates the beautiful sea of Ishigaki Island, and the Remoraids are designed to appear quietly behind the Mantine. Even people who are not familiar with Pokémon are talking about how cute it is and want to take a commemorative photo.
If you visit Ishigaki Island, please visit Pokémon manholes in Ishigaki Island!
Where are the Pokémon manholes in Ishigaki City? Traffic access
The Poké lids depicting Mantine and Remoraid are located in very easy to find places. The address is Misaki Town, Ishigaki City. It is near Ishigaki Port Terminal and 730 intersection.
＜ Poke Lid Locations in Ishigaki Island＞
Address: 1 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
It is very easy to get to from Ishigaki Port Terminal, the gateway to Ishigaki Island.
From Ishigaki Port Terminal, take the East Exit where there are stores such as Shichinin Honpo. Walk along the harbor past the bicycle parking lot and you will find it easily, just before hitting the 730 intersection.
To get to the Poké-lid location in Ishigaki Island from the 730 crossing, take the road where Pai-Guru, Ishigaki Island's own traffic enforcement eagle, salutes you.
You will find it on the road along the harbor, so walk straight and you will soon find it. You will arrive at Ishigaki Port Terminal.
Near the Ishigaki Port Terminal, there are many stores and hotels on the island, and it is also the gateway to each remote island, so it is an area that many people visit when they visit Ishigaki Island on vacation.
It is only a one minute walk from the terminal, so please go see them in your free time before taking the ferry or when you go for a walk from where you are staying!
Let's meet Manta in the sea and Mantine on land!
As you can see, Ishigaki City's Pokémon manhole (Poké lid) is installed near the sea, even though it is a port.
When you look at it with the sea in the background, it looks as if Mantines are about to jump out into the sea.
In the ocean of Ishigaki Island, you have a high chance of encountering manta rays. If you are lucky, you may see a scene similar to the design of this Poké Lid in the sea.
Whether you like Pokémon or not, you will definitely get excited when you find Poké lids in the city!
When you visit Ishigaki Island, please try to find a Poké Lid.
＞ Click here for the official website of Pokémon manholes (Poké Lids)
There are 12 Pokémon manholes in Okinawa Prefecture!
There are 12 Pokémon manholes (Poké lids) in Okinawa Prefecture, including Ishigaki Island.
Among the Poké Lids in Okinawa Prefecture, I would like to introduce some that are unique to Okinawa in terms of their Pokémon origins. If you have time during your trip to Okinawa, or if you often visit Okinawa, please visit Poké lids outside of Ishigaki Island.
＜ Examples of Pokemon appearing in Poke Lids in Okinawa Prefecture＞
・Naha City / Arcanine
Two Arcanines are depicted side by side like the Okinawan guardian deity Shisaa.
・Okinawa City / Thwacky & Lurantis
Eisa, a traditional Okinawan performing art, is danced by musical Pokémons Thwacky and Lurantis.
・Toyomigusuku City / Jangmo-o & Axew
Tomigusuku City is the birthplace of Hari. Since the Hari is performed in a Haryu boat, the dragon types Jangmo-o and Axew are depicted riding on a Haryu boat.
・Itoman City / Wartortle & Sandygast
Since the area has a thriving fishing industry, Pokémon Kameel and Snubaa are depicted in relation to the seashore.
・Motobu Town / Wailord
Motobu Town is an area for whale watching. A lively Wailord is depicted.
・Nanjo City / Seviper & Zangoose
At Okinawa World in Nanjo City, a show of habu and mongoose is held. A Seviper and Zangoose are seen fighting in a Poké lid.
The first PokéLid in Japan was installed in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, next to Okinawa Prefecture, in December 2018 in front of JR Ibusuki Station, and the Pokémon designed on it is the globally popular Eevee .
If you are an Eevee lover, you may want to make the trip from Okinawa to Kagoshima.
We hope you will enjoy seeing cute Pokémon manholes in various places in Japan and make them a wonderful memory for you!
＞ Click here for the official website of Pokémon manholes (Poké Lids)
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