Pokémon Centers and Pokémon Cafés in Japan have closed indefinitely due to Covid-19, but fans can still get their Pokémon fix by visiting Pokéfuta locations around the country.
There are currently around 206 Pokémon-themed manhole covers spread across 20 prefectures including major tourist destinations like Tokyo, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Nara and Okinawa. Now Osaka prefecture finally has its first set of Pokéfuta, but they’re not where you might expect. Rather than hiding in the concrete jungle of Osaka city, they’re dispersed around five locations in the neighbouring Higashiosaka city.
The five new manhole covers feature some first-generation Pokémon and newer monsters. You’ll see Magnemite, Magneton, Klink, Klang, Elekid, Mawile, Yamper, Togedemaru and the legendary Electric-type beast Raikou.
Two of the designs – Raikou, along with Togedemaru and Yamper – are in Hanazono Central Park. As a nod to the nearby Hanazono Rugby Stadium, the cover featuring Yamper and Togedemaru shows them playing with a rugby ball. To see the locations of all the new Pokéfuta, take a look at this handy map.
These manhole covers aren’t just public art pieces to marvel at. They also serve as Pokéstops for the ever-popular phone game Pokémon Go, so don’t forget to spin those stops while you’re there.
More news
Tokyo is getting a Haruki Murakami library on Waseda University campus
Adidas is releasing a Japan-exclusive pair of Hachiko-inspired sneakers with Atmos
Japan’s last double decker shinkansen to be retired on October 1
Watch Supersonic music festival on live stream for free this weekend
Fukuoka is getting the biggest Gundam statue in Japan
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.