Ah, Sinnoh: the land of snow, evil spacemen, and a terrifying Champion. As the northernmost region in the Pokemon world, it makes sense for Sinnoh to be based on Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Slightly larger than its neighbor Hoenn (based on the Japanese island of Kyushu), Hokkaido is the second-largest island of Japan and the country’s largest prefecture.
In Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, players may be able to recall the region’s harsh terrain, especially through the grueling Mt. Coronet. Hokkaido’s landscape is similar, featuring many volcanoes, forests, and lakes that were referenced in the games.
10 Twinleaf Town - Noboribetsu, Iburi Subprefecture
Southwest of the bustling capital of Hokkaido is a city called Noboribetsu. With a population of approximately 50,000 and a chilling winter climate, Noboribetsu is best represented by Platinum’s snowy version of Twinleaf Town.
Lake Tōya in Iburi Subprefecture is a circular lake 40 minutes away from Noboribetsu, representing Mespirit’s home, Lake Verity. Lakes Tōya and Verity even both have a small landmass directly in their center.
9 Jubilife City - Sapporo, Ishikari Subprefecture
Although it is not stated outright, Jubilife City is the de-facto capital of the Sinnoh Region. With access to the Global Trade Station, Jubilife TV, and the Trainer’s School, it’s hard to deny that Jubilife is an important location in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.
As such, Jubilife is based on Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital. Having held the Olympics and other televised sporting events several times, it is no surprise that Sinnoh would have a TV station based here.
8 Oreburgh City - Yūbari, Sorachi Subprefecture
Oreburgh City appears to represent the former Yūbari, during the city’s prime as a coal mining hotspot in the 1960s. Shadows of its old glory, such as the Yūbari Coal Mine Museum still exist today, although the city’s population has declined by an estimated 90%.
The Oreburgh Mine and Oreburgh Museum clearly pay homage to the city’s heyday. However, it is better known in modern times for the Yūbari International Fantastic Film Festival, which has been attended by the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Angelina Jolie.
7 Eterna City - Asahikawa, Kamikawa Subprefecture
Like Eterna City, Asahikawa lies to the west of a large mountain. In Hokkaido, that mountain is Mount Asahi, the highest peak on the island. In Sinnoh, that mountain is Mt. Coronet. Asahikawa is the second-largest city in Hokkaido, and also one of the coolest in the entire country.
It is a city surrounded by nature, making it no mistake that Eterna’s Gym Leader specializes in Grass-type Pokemon. As a place of peace and tradition, the presence of the Galactic Eterna Building cannot truly be found in Asahikawa.
6 Hearthome City - Obihiro, Tokachi Subprefecture
A certain pleasantness can be experienced in the city of Obihiro, which is known for its horseracing. Hearthome City in Sinnoh is known for its Pokemon contests, in a circular building that resembles a horseracing dome.
Though it may be a stretch, the comfort players felt in Hearthome can also be felt in areas of Obihiro such as the Kita no Yatai food alleys and Kōfuko station. The city also has major festivals during different times of the year.
5 Veilstone City - Abashiri, Okhotsk Subprefecture
Veilstone City and Abashiri are both located on the east coast of their regions. Unlike Veilstone however, Abashiri is a port city known for its icy waters. About halfway between the cities of Abashiri and Kushiro is Lake Mashū, originally known as The Lake of the Devil by the indigenous Ainu people.
Lake Mashū roughly represents the Sendoff Spring, Sinnoh’s hidden fourth lake where Giratina transports the player and Cynthia after the Distortion World events in Platinum. The lake has widely been regarded as the clearest lake in the world.
4 Pastoria City - Kushiro, Kushiro Subprefecture
Kushiro is the capital of the Kushiro Subprefecture on Hokkaido. The marsh-like humidity of the Kushiro Wetlands is greatly reflected on Route 212. Kushiro Marsh, the largest marsh in Japan, also gets a nod from Pastoria’s own Great Marsh.
Lake Akan, approximately an hour and a half northwest of Kushiro, represents Lake Valor, home of the Being of Willpower, Azelf. Lake Akan is also a habitat of the common carp fish, which explains all the flopping Magikarp seen in Lake Valor when Team Galactic blows it up.
3 Canalave City - Otaru, Shiribeshi Subprefecture
The geographical similarities are a bit vague between the city of Otaru and its Pokemon counterpart, Canalave City. In the games, Canalave isn’t available until the player can surf across to it from Jubilife, making it seem like a separate island.
In the real world, Otaru is known for being a commuter town for people who work in Sapporo, where workers can very much travel between the cities by train or car. Like Canalave, Otaru is a port town with a prominent canal that offers cruises to tourists. The city’s Otaru Museum may also be an inspiration for Canalave Library.
2 Snowpoint City - Wakkanai, Sōya Subprefecture
Wakkanai is the northernmost city of Japan, from which you can actually see Russia to the north. Like Snowpoint, Wakkanai is known for its record snowfall which is some of the highest in the world. Between the city center and Wakkanai Airport, Lake Onuma can be found.
Unlike its counterpart in the games, Lake Ōnuma is slightly east of the main city, whereas Lake Acuity is to the west of Snowpoint. In autumn, migrating swans can be seen on the lake. Swans are sometimes considered a symbol of knowledge, much like the Being of Knowledge, Uxie.
1 Sunyshore City - Nemuro, Nemuro Subprefecture
Sunyshore City is the place where players make their final stand before the Pokemon League. With Cyrus defeated and Dialga, Palkia, or Giratina at the player’s side, Sunyshore is the definition of a final destination.
One of the city’s attractions is the Vista Lighthouse, which is present in the real-world Nemuro on Cape Nosappu. Nemuro may be one of the most eastern places travelers can visit in Japan, as the distant Minami-Tori-Shima is off-limits to tourists.
NEXT: Pokemon: 10 Things From Platinum That Need To Return For The Sinnoh Remake
