Rayquaza is one of Japan’s 6 new Pokémon themed manhole covers
The Pokémon Company announced today that Ibaraki Prefecture will be the latest region in Japan to receive its own set of “Poké Lids”.
This marks the first time that the popular Pokémon-themed manhole covers will be installed in the prefecture.
The Poké Lids are part of a larger nationwide initiative called “Pokémon Local Acts,” which aims to promote tourism and highlight the unique charms of Japan’s different regions.
Similar initiatives have been put in place by other brands, such as Gundam and Major League Baseball, which have installed themed manhole covers in cities around Japan.
Each Poké Lid is a one-of-a-kind piece of public art, featuring designs of “Ambassador Pokémon” that have been selected to represent the local area.
These decorated manhole covers have become tourist attractions in their own right, with many fans traveling across the country to see and collect photos of them.
The new reveal for Ibaraki Prefecture includes a total of five different designs.
Let’s take a look at each of the designs, as well as where they’ll be located!
- Serperior, Ferrothorn and Herdier – Mito City
- Salamence and Hawlucha – Hitachiota
- Croagunk and Bellibolt – Chikusei
- Maractus and Bombirdier – Kamisu
One of the most symbolic placements will be a Poké Lid featuring the legendary Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza.
This Rayquaza-themed manhole cover is scheduled to be installed in Tsukuba City.
Tsukuba is widely known as Japan’s “Science City” due to its high concentration of research institutions.
The city is home to approximately 160 different public and private research organizations, including the University of Tsukuba and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA.
The pairing of Rayquaza, a Pokémon that spends most of its time flying high above the clouds in the ozone layer, with a city at the forefront of Japan’s space exploration efforts is a deliberate thematic choice.
The new Rayquaza Poké Lid is expected to be installed in Tsukuba City in the middle of July at the following location:
Source: Official X Account
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