Okinawa to get new Growlithe themed Pokémon manhole covers
The Pokémon Company has unveiled several new designs for its “Poké Lid” manhole covers to be installed across Okinawa Prefecture.
These unique manholes, featuring the Pokémon Growlithe, aim to boost local tourism and celebrate the region’s official “support Pokémon.”
Poké Lids (officially known as Pokéfuta in Japanese) are decorative manhole covers adorned with unique Pokémon designs.
This initiative is part of The Pokémon Company’s “Pokémon Local Acts” project, which began in 2018.
The project’s goal is to attract tourists to lesser-known destinations across Japan, revitalize local economies, and help areas recover from natural disasters.
Each Poké Lid features one or more Pokémon, often chosen for their connection to the local area, its history, or its natural environment.
These artful manhole covers have become popular points of interest for both Pokémon fans and general tourists, serving as real-world “PokéStops” in the popular mobile game “Pokémon Go.”
Recently, 6 new Pokéfuta were unveiled in Ibaraki Prefecture, with one design featuring the popular Pokémon Rayquaza.
As of March 2025, there were 379 Pokéfuta installed across 35 prefectures of Japan.
The latest additions to Okinawa’s collection of Poké Lids specifically highlight Growlithe, a friendly and loyal Fire-type Pokémon known for its brave personality.
Growlithe’s ability to face even larger opponents without fear and its general amiable disposition perfectly align with the image and spirit of Okinawa Prefecture, which led to its official appointment as Okinawa’s support Pokémon on August 1st, 2024.
This choice is particularly fitting given the cultural significance of lion-dog guardian statues (Komainu or Okinawan Shisa) in Japanese and Okinawan tradition, which some speculate may have influenced Growlithe’s design.
Other areas of Japan are also paired with support Pokémon, the most famous of which is Kagawa Prefecture and Slowpoke.
The newly revealed Poké Lids will be installed in four locations in Okinawa: Kumejima Town, Zamami Village, Tokashiki Village, and Chatan Town.
You’ll be able to find each of them at the following locations:
Kumejima
Zamami
Tokashiki
Chatan
Prior to this announcement, Okinawa Prefecture already boasted 12 types of Poké Lids installed across various cities and islands, including Naha, Okinawa City, Ginowan, Uruma, Urasoe, Nago, Itoman, Motobu, Tomigusuku, Nanjo, Ishigaki, and Miyakojima.
These existing designs often feature Water-type Pokémon like Corsola, Wailord, and Mantine, or other Pokémon associated with the island’s unique environment, such as Tauros, reflecting its bullfighting culture, or dragon types related to traditional Okinawan lore.
With the addition of these four new designs, the total number of Poké Lids in Okinawa Prefecture will now reach 16, further enhancing the region’s appeal as a “Pokémon tourism” destination.
The installation of these new manhole covers is expected to draw both domestic and international tourists to these four towns and villages, encouraging exploration beyond Okinawa’s more commonly visited areas.
Source: Official X Account
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