Yamagata Poké Lid Guide
Pokémon, short for “Pocket Monsters” in Japanese, has grown from its 1996 debut into the most successful entertainment franchise in history, reaching fans across the globe. Today, it’s almost impossible to find someone unfamiliar with Pikachu, the iconic yellow character who has become a worldwide symbol of the series’ massive cultural impact.
Yet even with its global reach, The Pokémon Company has never lost sight of its roots in Japan. Since 2011, it has been running Pokémon Local Acts, a series of initiatives designed to support local communities and highlight regional charm.
Among these efforts is the Poké Lids Project, which installs unique Pokémon-themed manhole covers known as ”Pokéfuta” (ポケふた) across the country to draw visitors to lesser-known destinations. As of March 2025, there are now 379 Pokéfuta in Japan, and as one of the least visited prefectures in Japan, Yamagata Prefecture was bestowed with five.
Yamagata City
The three Pokémon featured on the manhole cover in Yamagata City are Skiploom, Vileploom, and Lilligant, all of which are grass types sporting major floral blooms. These herbaceous Pokémon were chosen to represent the prefectural capital because of Yamagata’s largest festival, the Hanagasa Festival, where over 10,000 dancers parade down the streets twirling flower-lined hats known as the Hanagasa.
The Hanagasa is a wide-brimmed, woven straw hat decorated with red silk flowers that resemble the Yamagata Safflowers (紅花 benibana), the prefectural flower of Yamagata. The Yamagata Safflower is historically an important local product that contributed to the prosperity and development of Yamagata, and cannot be grown anywhere else in the world. The Hanagasa Festival is one of the largest annual events in all of Yamagata Prefecture, and takes place for three days between August 5th and August 7th.
Those who can’t make it to the festival can still see the flower-headed Pokémon on the Poké Lid installed right in front of the Yamagin Kenmin Hall. When you exit the back side of Yamagata Station, the Poké Lid is right outside, making it easy to access when you first arrive in the prefectural capital and start your Yamagata adventure!
Coordinates: 38°14’54.5″N 140°19’33.1″E
Sagae
Located just a quick 30-minute train ride from Yamagata Station on the Aterazawa Line, if you ask locals what Sagae is famous for, you’ll get one answer, and one answer only: Cherries! Sagae is one of the top-producing areas for Satō Nishiki cherries, and the city even has the largest cherry orchard park in Japan! Every June, thousands of visitors come for cherry-picking, and there’s even a saying that “people who live in Sagae never buy cherries, only ever receive them” due to the abundance.
The Pokémon Cherubi and its evolved form, Cherrim, are a no-brainer for the proud faces of Sagae, as they are quite literal living embodiments of the city’s proud red fruit. Sagae is also known for its beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring, and is a great alternative to escape the crowds drawn to cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Viewing the cherry blossoms in a more rural, local town like Sagae is a wonderful experience, and can be part of the perfect day trip if you are in town making Traditional Zori Sandals during the spring.
The Sagae Poké Lid is located in Mogamigawa Furusato Park, adjacent to the Mogami River, and within walking distance from Sagae Hanasaka Hot Spring Yu-Cherry. The Poké Lid can be found next to a long blue slide featuring the town’s mascot, Cherrin. There is also a nearby skatepark, among the largest in Yamagata, and so it’s worth checking out even if you don’t skate, as many talented skaters come from near and far to practice.
Coordinates: 38°21’49.8″N 140°15’58.9″E
Okura
When most people think of famous hot spring towns in Yamagata, they think of Zao Onsen, Ginzan Onsen, and Kaminoyama Onsen. But when it comes to local preference, the lesser-known Hijiori Onsen is where Yamagatans head on holiday to relax, unwind, and get away from it all in a true paradise of seclusion.
Hijiori Onsen is wedged deep in the mountainous village of Okura, located in the northern Mogami Region of Yamagata. Unchanged by the weathering of time, Hijiori Onsen has a history of over 1,200 years and is said to have been discovered by a wandering Buddhist monk. The waters are famous for their healing properties, especially when it comes to bone and joint ailments, as the name Hijiori means “bent elbow.”
The town is also known for record-breaking snowfall—sometimes over 4 meters! In fact, they even host an annual winter firework festival known as “Okura Snow Story” that features a giant snowman, known as Okura-kun, who bears a striking resemblance to Galarian Darmanitan. The other two Pokémon on the Poké Lid are Braixen and Lampent. Braixen is said to use its branch to cast spark-like attacks, similar to the fireworks in the winter festival, and Lampent speaks for itself as Hijiori is lined by gas lamps at night that create a romantically warm atmosphere even in the cold dead of night.
To find the Okura Poké Lid, you’ll have to go inside the Hijiori Onsen Ideyu Center, which also serves as an information center and access point for some of the hot spring facilities. The reason that it’s inside a covered area instead of out in the open like the other Poké Lids is that in the winter, there is so much snow, it would get covered entirely over! So make sure you come inside, warm up, and spend some time at one of Yamagata’s best-kept secrets.
Coordinates: 38°36’39.9″N 140°10’10.8″E
Tsuruoka
The Poké Lid for Tsuruoka is not in the city itself, but in Yura, a local fishing village officially incorporated into Tsuruoka City in 2005. The main attraction of Yura is the Kamo Aquarium, which has earned international acclaim for having the world’s largest display of jellyfish species, with over 50 to 80 varieties featured at any given time! Entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for their great collection, the centerpiece of the aquarium is the “Kuranetarium,” a softly lit gallery where jellyfish float like constellations across a night sky. At its heart lies the Jellyfish Dream Theater—a breathtaking 5-meter tank that shimmers with the gentle movement of nearly 10,000 moon jellyfish, glowing in tranquil blue light.
Of course, with Kamo Aquarium as the main attraction for Yura, the jellyfish Pokémon of Tentacool, Tentacruel, Frillish, and Jellicent perfectly fit the theme and highlight one of Tsuruoka’s most unique attractions. The Tsuruoka Poké Lid is located not too far from Kamo Aquarium, and is by the parking lot for Yura Beach. Although actual wild jellyfish occupy the ocean the rest of the year, during the summer, Yura Beach is a popular spot for locals to come swim, sunbathe, and throw summer beach barbecues!
Connected to the mainland by a long red bridge is Hakusan Island, home to a mountain-top shrine and a fishing pond, which are great family activities during the summer. Yura Beach is also said to be where Prince Hachiko first landed in Tsuruoka when he came and discovered the sacred Mt. Haguro of the Dewa Sanzan. Legend has it that he was greeted by the maidens Mio and Ehime, who are honored by statues near the Poké Lid installation.
Coordinates: 38°43’16.1″N 139°41’04.7″E
Oguni
The Oguni Poké Lid is the most remote and challenging to get to, as Oguni-machi is the most sparsely populated town in Yamagata and among the least visited. Like Okura, Oguni sees some of the highest snowfalls in Japan, with harsh winters contributing to its historically low population. Oguni, however, is one of the last remaining strongholds of the Matagi, a minority group of traditional bear-hunters in northern Japan who believe that animals, trees, rivers, and mountains have spirits. To Matagi, hunting isn’t just a physical act; it’s a spiritual one, and there is a complex spiritual ceremony involved before any animal’s life is taken. Although Matagi are known to hunt deer, boars, birds, and historically serow, the Japanese black bear is the most valued animal for the Matagi. Bears are highly valued for their meat, fat, and hides, and every part of the animal is used without waste.
The Pokémon featured on the Poké Lid are Cubchoo, Beartic, and Cetoddle, all of which are ice types that live in the freezing mountains. Both being bear Pokémon, Cubchoo and Beartic honor the legacy of the Matagi even in the modern age, and Cetoddle represents the ability to adapt and survive in your environment, no matter how harsh.
Oguni-machi’s Poké Lid is by the Roadside Station Shiroimori-oguni, which serves as a rest stop for drivers and an information center for the town. If you are driving between Niigata and Tsuruoka, Oguni is along the way, and so it’s worth a quick stop. Here you can also find all sorts of local products, such as fresh vegetables, handicrafts, and sake, and learn a bit more about all of the fantastic culture and history found in the mysterious town of Oguni. While traveling around Japan, if you are looking for “off-the-beaten-path”, few paths are less traveled than Oguni!
Coordinates: 38°04’21.8″N 139°43’52.6″E
No matter if you are just getting into Pokémon or have been a fan since the original 151, going out on an adventure in search of the Poke Lids is a great way to see Yamagata and really explore some of the best-kept secrets of the prefecture! Please remember to respect the surrounding areas and not trespass on private property during your search. Happy hunting and hope you can catch them all!
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