
Region famous for its sand dunes gets beautiful public art pieces featuring more than a dozen different Pokémon species.
As anyone who’s embarked on an in-game quest to become a Pokémon Master, or done so vicariously through the anime exploits of Ash/Satoshi, can tell you, catching ‘em all requires you to travel far and wide. So it’s only fitting that the Pokémon manhole cover project isn’t focused only on major Japanese cities, but also dedicated to highlighting Japan’s more remote regions as well.
And so the newest batch of Pokémon manhole covers is appearing in Tottori, where Sandshrew will be beckoning travelers to visit the often-overlooked prefecture!
Why Sandshrew? Because Tottori’s claim to fame are its sand dunes, the only ones in Japan. In total, 14 Pokéfuta (as the Pokémon manhole covers are called in Japanese) are being installed in Tottori, which is located along the northern shore of western Honshu (Japan’s main island). While Sandshrew, in both standard and Alolan varieties, is the star, the Ground-type is also joined by a supporting cast of other Pokémon species.
▼ Top row: Pokéfuta for Tottori City (with special guest Buneary) and Yonago (Farfetch’d)
Bottom: Pokéfuta for Kurayoshi and Sakaiminato (with Krabby)
▼ Top: Iwami (Xato) and Wakasa (Snover)
Bottom: Misasa (Froakie) and Yurihama (Shellder)
▼ Top: Kotoura and Daisen (Litwick)
Bottom: Nambu (Trapinch) and Hoki (Glalie)
▼ Left: Nichinan (Illumise) and Hino (Swablu)
The exact installation dates vary by design, with Minatosakai (Krabby) and Nambu (Trapinch) Pokémon manhole covers already in place. The majority of the rest will be appearing later this month, but late-bloomer Iwami (Xato) will be getting its by April 10. Exact locations for each can be found here on the official Sandshrew Pokéfuta website.
Source: PR Times
Top image: PR Times
Insert images: PR Times, Pokémon Local Acts
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s still got a bit of his west Japan accent.







Five new Pokémon manhole covers arrive in Tottori Prefecture, now with one in every municipality
Two days to hunt down all of Tottori’s 20 Pokémon manhole covers [Part One]
Day 2 of our quest to visit all the Pokémon manhole covers in Tottori【Photos】
New Pokémon manhole covers starring Chansey are set to bring good luck to Fukushima
Getting tired of Pokémon Go? Maybe visiting the Pokémon manhole covers will reignite your passion
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Japanese people share 11 amusing tales relating to pregnancy and childbirth
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Tottori Prefecture is holding a Pokéfuta stamp rally for a chance to win some sumptuous prizes
Two new Pokémon parks coming to Oshawott’s prefecture, plus new Pokémon manhole covers【Video】
There’s a real-world Pokémon Sandshrew Park in Japan, and it’s adorable!【Photos】
Pokémon manhole covers spreading with eight new Pokéfuta in Miyazaki
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Pokémon manhole covers come to Fukuoka with eight species appearing in Kitakyushu
Pokémon come to real-life Johto region with new Pokémon manhole covers for Nara【Pics】
Pokémon manhole covers finally come to Tokyo with awesome Gen-1 designs【Photos】
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to Japan’s snowy Hokkaido Prefecture!
Pathetically weak Magikarp shown love with Pokémon manhole covers in birthplace of koi culture
Japan’s Pokémon manhole covers travel to you in new line of mugs, replicas, and other merch【Pics】
Osaka finally gets its own Pokémon manhole covers with team of Electric/Steel-types
Eight new Pokémon manhole covers featuring Vulpix spawn in snowy Hokkaido Prefecture
Pokémon manhole covers make their debut in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture
Finally! First-ever Pokémon manhole covers installed in downtown Tokyo
Kyoto now has Pokémon manhole covers as Generation 2 comes to the real-life Johto region