henrymidfields
Prime Minister of Shoyo 昇陽国内閣総理大臣
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So my past entry of Poke!Japan in the previous version of the blogs have been inaccessible for a while, so I'm going to repost whatever I have saved onto this blog thread.
I was quite intrigued to first see Pokemon as an alternate version of real-life Earth when the Pokemon craze came out in the 90s, with real-life countries explicitly named (at least in the Japanese version), some real-life events referred to, such as the Columbia Shuttle. Up then, the only other RPG that I was able to think of that was also explicitly based in our world we live in was Shin Megami Tensei. I mean, Yokai Watch came 2 decades later, Persona was an extension of SMT back then rather than its own stuff in its own right like it is now, and Earthbound is a bit ambiguous with its geography.
It was for this reason that I was quite displeased when RSE really messed up the worldbuilding with Hoenn which shoved "tropical" onto Kyushu, and that I was outright pissed off that ORAS did nothing to fix this when XY did in terms of general worldbuilding direction. Newsflash A: Fukuoka gets snow and the rest of the island isn't much warmer/hotter than other parts of Japan. (Most of Japan gets hot during summer anyway! Okay, Hokkaido may be an exception, but even that region is getting hotter nowadays with global warming.) Newsflash B: There are Guam-Saipan, Hawaii, or coastal Queensland around the Brisbane/Gold Coast area which better represents a tropical area and are places familiar to Japanese audiences. Newsflash C: Using well-known overseas locations as early as the third main installment shouldn't be a huge problem to international audiences anyway! But no! Gamefreak made the decision to make a stretch of a region that is nothing representative of its real-life counterpart.
It was only until Gen 6, where the Kalosian region actually looked like northern France - which I believe is the step in the right direction, and the step that should have been made as early as Gen 3. Alola and hopefuly Galar too will follow a closer imitation of the culture and geography of the real-life origins like Kalos attempted. It was through this, and also an attempt to learn my country's geography and history that I have been working on my History of Shoyo project. This was an attempt mainly to fill in the other unexplored regions of Japan, reinterpret Gen 1-2 as actual places people would possibly live in (while reconstructing the premise of Pokemon), and re-align Gen 3/4's mess of regions to have a more consistent backstory design closer to the alternate!real-life!Earth approach from Gen 1-2 and Gen 6 and onwards.
What I know I will do:
While I haven't yet looked closely at the canon history of the Pokemon universe, I can definitely say that there will be some major differences from the the existing canon details. From the beginning of Shoyo's history to the Sengoku era would be more or less like Japan's, with some exceptions - such as incorporating elements of Pokemon Conquest for the Sengoku era. The divergence would probably begin from the Edo period equivalent, with some minor differences - such as technological progress being developed somewhat quicker. There would be some major differences from the Meiji era onwards - such as Shoyo-Meiji starting from the early 19th Century (as opposed to real-life-Meiji being from mid-late 19th Century), democracy and social justice being stronger/more mature in Shoyo's early 20th Century, and a much happier outlook of Shoyo's present (AD 2010) and future, to be more in line with the idealistic world of Pokemon. Some people may end up being offended with the political implications, but given it's clearly not our real world (though still resembles close to; and also I'm from Japan myself), I don't consider this to be my problem.
On a different note, there are also previously unexplored regions from the Japanese archipelago. They are:
Tohoku (North east Shoyo)
Kanto (Central Shoyo – east side)
Chugoku (West Shoyo)
Hoenn (Southwest Shoyo)
A word of caution: I've made some pretty major changes with Hoenn as I said before, I was quite displeased in RSE of the departure of the approach of the region's backstory writing from Gen 1-2. Firstly, Evergrande City from RSE/ORAS has been expanded into the Evergrande Islands. Two cities would be incorporated, with one of them being the Pokémon League headquarters of course. In addition, Kinagi [Pacifidlog] City has been reinterpreted as a resort city within the Evergrande Islands instead of being part of Hoenn. Finally, Kanazumi (Rustboro) City has a connection with the Poke-Chugoku via Majimina, which said city will become this fanfic's location for the Battle Frontier. As such the Battle Resort from ORAS will not exist in this headcanon.
I was quite intrigued to first see Pokemon as an alternate version of real-life Earth when the Pokemon craze came out in the 90s, with real-life countries explicitly named (at least in the Japanese version), some real-life events referred to, such as the Columbia Shuttle. Up then, the only other RPG that I was able to think of that was also explicitly based in our world we live in was Shin Megami Tensei. I mean, Yokai Watch came 2 decades later, Persona was an extension of SMT back then rather than its own stuff in its own right like it is now, and Earthbound is a bit ambiguous with its geography.
It was for this reason that I was quite displeased when RSE really messed up the worldbuilding with Hoenn which shoved "tropical" onto Kyushu, and that I was outright pissed off that ORAS did nothing to fix this when XY did in terms of general worldbuilding direction. Newsflash A: Fukuoka gets snow and the rest of the island isn't much warmer/hotter than other parts of Japan. (Most of Japan gets hot during summer anyway! Okay, Hokkaido may be an exception, but even that region is getting hotter nowadays with global warming.) Newsflash B: There are Guam-Saipan, Hawaii, or coastal Queensland around the Brisbane/Gold Coast area which better represents a tropical area and are places familiar to Japanese audiences. Newsflash C: Using well-known overseas locations as early as the third main installment shouldn't be a huge problem to international audiences anyway! But no! Gamefreak made the decision to make a stretch of a region that is nothing representative of its real-life counterpart.
It was only until Gen 6, where the Kalosian region actually looked like northern France - which I believe is the step in the right direction, and the step that should have been made as early as Gen 3. Alola and hopefuly Galar too will follow a closer imitation of the culture and geography of the real-life origins like Kalos attempted. It was through this, and also an attempt to learn my country's geography and history that I have been working on my History of Shoyo project. This was an attempt mainly to fill in the other unexplored regions of Japan, reinterpret Gen 1-2 as actual places people would possibly live in (while reconstructing the premise of Pokemon), and re-align Gen 3/4's mess of regions to have a more consistent backstory design closer to the alternate!real-life!Earth approach from Gen 1-2 and Gen 6 and onwards.
What I know I will do:
While I haven't yet looked closely at the canon history of the Pokemon universe, I can definitely say that there will be some major differences from the the existing canon details. From the beginning of Shoyo's history to the Sengoku era would be more or less like Japan's, with some exceptions - such as incorporating elements of Pokemon Conquest for the Sengoku era. The divergence would probably begin from the Edo period equivalent, with some minor differences - such as technological progress being developed somewhat quicker. There would be some major differences from the Meiji era onwards - such as Shoyo-Meiji starting from the early 19th Century (as opposed to real-life-Meiji being from mid-late 19th Century), democracy and social justice being stronger/more mature in Shoyo's early 20th Century, and a much happier outlook of Shoyo's present (AD 2010) and future, to be more in line with the idealistic world of Pokemon. Some people may end up being offended with the political implications, but given it's clearly not our real world (though still resembles close to; and also I'm from Japan myself), I don't consider this to be my problem.
On a different note, there are also previously unexplored regions from the Japanese archipelago. They are:
- Tohoku between Kanto and Sinnoh/Hokkaido
- Hokuriku and Shinetsu, being north of Kanto and Johto/Chubu-Kansai, and
- Chugoku (or San'in and Sanyo) and Shikoku between Johto/Kansai and Hoenn/Kyushu
- Chitose/Millenium City: A suburb of Kotobuki (Jubilife) City which has the Chitose International Airport and the Shoyoese Defence Force's Chitose Air Base. It is based on it's real-life namesakes, Chitose City, Hokkaido, and the Sapporo-(New) Chitose Int'l Airport.
Tohoku (North east Shoyo)
- Datezakai/Harlequin Ranges: The ranges running along north-south, dividing Wakakusa City on the east and Hanakasa City on the west. Initially known as other names, the former vernacular name stuck from the middle of the Edo period, commemorating Date Masamune’s rule and development of the Wakakusa domain. (The real Masamune also developed the area around present-day Southern Iwate, Sendai and Fukushima areas, coinciding with the Pokeverse equivalent areas.) Generally based on the Zao Mountains, famous for its hot springs.
- Ebisuji/Hinterway City: A coastal port town in northern Tohoku region. In the Early Middle Ages, it was one of the last frontiers between the expanding Shoyo nation and the untamed northerners (called Ebisu/Emishi). Thus a fort was built as the government’s occupying base for the region. Later, it became the port for traders between Johto and Sinnoh. Nearby fields also boasts the best rice brands Shoyo can get, known as the Ebisuji-Komachi. In the modern era, oil wells, and oil refineries were built, and the area was responsible for supplying the majority of Shoyo’s oil. The city is based on Akita City in the namesake prefecture.
- Hanakasa/Floratop City: An inland town close to the Himenoyu Mountains, which many travellers pass on their way. Based on Yamagata City in its namesake prefecture. Hanakasa is a traditional bamboo hat adorned of paper flowers, which dancers wear them for the hanakasa-matsuri, a festival in the Yamagata region.
- Hedachi/Stablemeadow Settlements: A series of ten settlements on the northern end of Tohoku which was renowned for its fastest Ponytas and Rapidashes. Out of this, Futaedachi/Dueble (based on Ninohe City, Iwate Pref) and Yatsuedachi/Octable (based on Hachinohe City, Aomori Pref) growing to be cities in their own right. The latter grew into the Tohoku region’s northernmost fishing port along the Pacific Ocean coast, and eventually into an industrial area. In those two cities, most of the horsebreeding activities have moved to the other settlements. On the other hand, the most famed horse-breeding stables are located in Nanedachi/Settable (based on Sichinohe Town, Aomori Pref). Hedachi in Japanese refered to the ancient “horse farmland”, which lended name to both the Pokeverse-Shoyoese, and real-life Japanese towns and cities.
- Igune/Windbreak City: The northern part has taken on as a dormitory suburb of Wakakusa/Harlequin City, and the south part has been a traditional trading town. The middle remains a largely untouched series of farmlands accented by houses surrounded by trees. Igune (居久根) is a term used in the farming areas near Sendai refering to the series of windbreak trees. Based on Natori and Iwanuma Cities
- Kunibate/Landsend City: Another coastal town on the top of the Shoyo’s main island. Before the eventual expansion into Sinnoh, this was the end of the Shoyoese frontier, lending to the name kunibate, or “the country’s end”. The city grew as a trade port since the Edo period, and became the transport hub for travellers and goods between Sinnoh and the rest of the country. In recent years, however, things has not been the same, with bigger international ships needing deeper ports, and with much of freight being shifted to rail with the opening of the Almia Tunnel.
- Miyakoji City: A former castle town and a trading town with Johto and Sinnoh. This is in reference to Sakata City, Yamagata Pref, as the real-life city also prospered as a trading post with the Kansai region during the Edo period. Miyakoji (都路) means "the way to the capital".
- Namahage/Kramps Peninsula: A peninsula with dormant volcanoes that echoes ancient folktales of Granbulls warding off bad spirits and punishing evildoers in nearby towns during wintertime. Based on the Oga Peninsula where the namahage ogres would come around households and scold naughty children during the Lunar New Year. The Central European mythical being Kramps also had a similar role during Christmas time.
- Okuiri/Hintermost City: One of the final frontiers of the Shoyoese mainland, the city eventually became the castle town for the Kunibate Domain. Besides Wakakusa, it would be the first Tohoku towns to have a westernised district, and a modern military base would be built there to counteract Kievanian [Russian] aggression into the Far East. Another fun fact: It was one of the first regions in Shoyo to grow apples. Based on Hirosaki City of Aomori Prefecture.
- Okuiri/Hintermost Forest: The northernmost untouched forest and nature reserve in the Shoyoese mainland, where past hunters spoke of secret rituals and languages. The forest is based on the World-Heritage-listed Shirakami Highlands and Forest. Okuiri (奥入) means “into the very back”.
- Saotome/St Thomas City: Saotome is the southernmost port within the Tohoku fishing coast. During the Sengoku era, pro-Catholic daimyo Date Masamune designated the port for international trade with the Iberian Asteco colony [Spanish Mexico]. Until the seclusion policy by the Tokugawa Shogunate, Iberians and Astecans came and go, and together came exotic goods and buildings, including a Catholic church within view from the inland rice paddies. Saotome is a traditional word refers to a woman working in the rice fields, but is also a corruption from the Portugese Sao Tome, or Saint Tomas.
- Shiraneri/Silkwhite City: The birthplace of the Sengoku-era warlord Date Masamune, and later the home base for the Uesugi clan. The city has been renowned for its traditional hot springs and its silk industry Based on Yonezawa in Yamagata Prefecture. Both silk-white and shiraneri refers to the traditional silk industry of the real-life Yonezawa.
- Sugikoshi/Passover City and Sugikoshi Forest: A quiet town of past abandoned mines and lumber yards. The mage-wappa timber crafts from the nearby Sugikoshi Forests are one of the best in the nation. The name Sugikoshi is a play of words: sugi can both mean cedar tree (杉) and can also mean to pass (過ぎる). Sugikoshi is the Japanese term used for the Passover. There is an old travel log features the following passage that became the name of the town: Pass over the forest, and no sooner shall we reach the land’s end. The town is based on Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
- Tonoedachi/Desstable Lake: A picturesque calderan lake close to Tonoedachi/ Town. This was said to be the very last lake visited by Uxie, Mespirit, Azelf before their migration to Sinnoh. Based on both the town and the lake of Towada.
- Tsuyukusa/Deepsky City: A modern city of pristine waterway, with a hydroelectric dam on the mountain. Inspired from Koriyama City, Fukushima Pref, where one of the first hydroelectric dam was built, and the city grew with the manipulation of water. Both Tsuyukusa and deep sky blue are variations of a light blue colour.
- Wakakusa/Harlequin City: A city of green and youthful spirits, known for its lively music scene and its academia. Reference to Sendai City, Miyagi Pref, also known for its reputation as a city full of tree-lined boulevards, it's music and academic scene. Wakakusa and harlequin are both similarly-coloured green. Wakakusa color is also a reference to the youthful connotations of spring grass. Harlequin, on the other hand, refers to the light-heartedness of the traditional Italian comedy character.
- Watatsumi/Poseidon Town: Further up north along the eastern coast from Saotome/St Thomas is another fishing town, Watatsumi/Poseidon. While the Saotome saw itself as a beacon of transport and cultural exchange, Watatsumi would specialise itself into a fishing hub that sees many vessels come and go. Outside of the big metropolises, Watatsumi boasts the biggest fishing market in the Tohoku region, and many marine biologists also do their research here. The town is based on Kesen’numa in Miyagi Prefecture. Watatsumi is the Shintoist god of the seas, but is also a common noun referring to its non-Japanese equivalents such as the Greek Poseidon.
Kanto (Central Shoyo – east side)
- Akagane/Aubronze City, located between Hanada and Nivi [Pewter]. An old abandoned mining town which is really toxic. This may be where Grimer and Muk were sighted. This is based on the Ashio Copper Mine, which was notorious for its earliest case of environmental disaster in Japan's history. Akagane(赤金・銅) is another word for bronze/copper in Japanese, and Aubronze is a combination of Auburn (a reddish-brownish colour) and Bronze.
- Awafuji/Periwinkle City, located northwest of Hanada, and north of Shion [Lavender], which is located where the power plant is, and incorporates it as part of the city. A cutting-edge science town, based on Tsukuba Science City. Awafuji(淡藤) and Periwinkle are two variations of the blue-purple mixed colour.
- Kihiwa/Charteuse City: For a long time, the series of towns featured endless rice fields and a famous hilltop Buddhist temple to serve the pilgrims from Yamabuki/Saffron. While the town is gradually encroached by suburban development, the settlement still retains its old rural charm. However, a second international airport serving shorter low-cost flights and commuter planes was built recently, signalling further changes ahead. Based on Narita City, but with a much different development of the metropolitan region’s second international airport. Kihiwa is a combination of Ki-iro (黄色) and hiwa-iro (鶸色), creating a yellow-green colour leaning towards yellow. Charteuse is a similar European colour, and both refers to the long-lasting goldern rice fields, and the green forested mountains.
- Sanae/Jadegreen City, located between Hanada [Cerulean] and Yamabuki [Saffron]. As the geographic location implies, it is a dormitory suburb based on Saitama City (former Omiya City). Sanae(早苗) is a green-slightly-yellowish colour, a possible outcome of mixing Blue and Yellow, and Jadegreen also has a similar hue.
- Sekiei/Indigo Plateau: A highland resort town where the Shoyoese National League is located. The town was initially established by a group of European and American visitors during the Meiji Era as a place to avoid the summer heat. Hotels and holiday homes were built on the hills since then. The current Pokemon League (established as part of the national sports program and as part of post-WWII Shoyo’s fortified democracy program for citizens) initially had their headquarters in Yamabuki [Saffron] City, but improvements in transportation and communications, and a government effort to decentralise resulted in the League relocating to Sekiei Plateau in the 1980s. The town is based on Karuizawa, Nagano Pref.
- Shinonome/Eastrise City, located near Akagane City, is the home of the villa and ancestral shrine of the Tokugawa family and shogunate. The sun rise in the east is said to be the most beautiful of all of Shoyo. As the definition implies, yes, Pokemon-Shinonome is based on Real-life-Nikko. Shinonome(東雲) means east skies/clouds, and is a light pink colour, reminiscent of the dawn sky.
- Sohi/Sienna City: A satellite city of Kuchiba/Vermillion, and a gateway to the eastern Kanto peninsula, it was initially found by the Taira Clan during the Early Middle ages. From the late Meiji era, Sohi/Sienna took some of the overspill of the cargo at Kuchiba and eventually developed its own industrial base. The city is also the home of Yamabuki Disneyland, both popular with Shoyoese citizens and Columbian visitors. Mainly based on Chiba City of the namesake prefecture, but there are also references from Urayasu (Tokyo Disneyland) and Funabashi Cities. Sohi is a more reddish orange color, with burnt sienna having a similar hue – both referring to the Sohi City being between Kuchiba/Vermillion and Sekichiku/Fuchsia.
- Yamabuki/Saffron-Kanto metropolitan Region: Consists of Yamabuki/Saffron, Tamamushi/Celadon, Kuchiba/Vermillion Cities and surrounding suburbs and cities. Yamabuki City is the national capital of Shoyo since the Bunsei Restoration of the 1820s. It also used to be the capital of the former Yamabuki Prefecture (and later Metropolis) until the Greater Tamamushi Area broke off to form Kanto Metropolis. Due to aggressive decentralization measures from the national government after World War II, Yamabuki City is no longer the sole dominant economic powerhouse it once was, a position that is being challenged by Enju-Kogane-Asagi metropolitan region, and to lesser extents, Greater Yoshino and Kanmon (Kanazumi-Majimina) metropolitan regions. While Yamabuki and Tamamushi showcases the cutting edge buildings and infrastructures, the cities are politically and socially conservative on average, with many people siding with the Imperialists (though not always voluntarily) during the Second Boshin War chapter of World War II's Pacific Theatre.
- Amagusa/Liquorice City: Another castle town along the Sea of Shoyo, which was famous for its high-quality traditionally medicine. Similar developments were made in the real-life Toyama City of its namesake prefecture. While the city still has its medicine roots through several research institutes, a pharmaceutical university, and several pharmaceutical factories (including one from Silph) the city is also becoming known as an experimental eco-city of sustainability. Amagusa is the Japanese reading for Kanzo (甘草), a type of traditional plant widely used in Kampo medicine in Japan. The European variant is used to create liquorice. (Glycyrrhiza - Wikipedia)
- Ebikazu/Gloryvine City: One of the former international port cities from the days of steam, in which Steamships from Korea and Russia would visit the city. Refers to Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture. Ebikazu is type of native wild grape in Japan; the wine-red colour Ebi-iro is based on this fruit species. The species was known since the ancient days, but it only gained attention as an edible species from the western introduction of winemaking during the Meiji era. Crimson Glory Vine is the English name.
- Enfuku/Elmteak City: Also known as Ecruteak's little sister, similar to how Kanazawa is revered as "Little Kyoto". The Japanese etymology is En (縁; relationships) + Fuku (福; blessing - similar to Ju 寿). For English, I replaced Ecru of Ecruteak with the same-initial Elm.
- Miru/Greenfleece Town: A small but bustling harbour famous for its fisheries. It was once one of the relay harbours for freight boats travelling between southern and northern Shoyo. Nowadays, many people from across the nation travel here to try the latest delicacies of water-type Pokemon. The town is based on Wajima, Toyama. Miru (海松) is a type of seaweed and is also the Japanese name for the olive green colour. The English name for the miru seaweed is Green fleece. (Codium fragile - Wikipedia)
- Renge/Lotzalea City: The city is located in the valleys of one of the highways between Yamabuki/Saffron and Enju/Ecruteak, with another highway extendings towards Amagusa and the coastal towns along the Sea of Shoyo. As such, the town grew as a trading post from the Muromachi to the Edo period, which its former character can still be seen today. Nowadays, people visit the town for its old district’s charm and also for outdoor activities in the nearby highland Safari Zone. The city is based on Shiojiri City in Nagano Prefecture. Renge is short for renge tsutsuji, a type of azalea grown in and around Nagano Prefecture. It is also the Japanese name for lotus. Lotzalea is the contraction of lotus and azalea, which in turn is a translation of the aforementioned renge tsutsuji.
- Shinanoki/Tilia City: Home to one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the nation, the surrounding town along the hills and the valleys grew with it. Such was its prestige that many who went to pray at Juko Shrine made a detour to Zenkoji on their way back. The city is based on Nagano City of the namesake prefecture. In fact, shinanoki, or tilia is a type of lime tree that grew around the highland regions of Nagano.
- Suisen/Daffodil City: Another traditional city that was one of the regional capital and the biggest city of the Southern Hokuetsu region during the Edo period. During its heyday, it had a domain bigger than its northern rival Enfuku/Elmteak. The city is based on Fukui City of its namesake prefecture, in which Suisen(daffodil in Japanese) grows on the nearby coasts, and is the prefecture’s floral emblem.
- Yanasagi/Willowvine City: A city in the mid-north part of Honshu’s western coast that rose from the marshes. The canals built during the Edo period and the willow trees planted gives a particularly picturesque character to the castle city. Yanasagi is the combination and contraction of Yanagi (willow) and Asagi (JP name for Olivine City). The English name Willowvine is similarly the combination and contraction of willow and Olivine (City).
- Aigusa/Greenfields Town: A homage to Pokemon Movie 3, this is where Columbian (Poke-USA) researcher Spencer Sully Hale-Snowden and his research facility is located, which is affiliated with the Arcaeology Deartment of the University of Enju [Univ of Kyoto]. Unlike the other cities, there isnt any references to the real-life region, though the Kansai Science City may be one inspiration. Ai is a plant species that is nicknamed as Japanese indigo, which is used for blue pigment. Gusa/kusa is grass. The Japanese name refers to the original town name used in the movie (Greenfields).
- Hinokimori/Cypress Ranges: The mountainous forests are renowned for their high quality timber, which has been used for repairing and rebuilding the Juko Shrine every twenty years. Several small towns along the old highways form the traditional forestry. Based on the Kiso ranges areas in northern Aichi/southern Nagano Prefectures. Hinoki is Japanese cypress, which can be found at the real-life counterpart of the Kiso Ranges, and was was similarly cut down and sent for rebuilding Ise Shrine.
- Juko City and Juko Shrine: Located west of Hiwada [Azalea] Town it is another traditional city, which guards the shrine that Amaterasu and other Shinto gods supposedly dwelt in. Juko(珠剛) is a combination of two Japanese words, Shinju(真珠; pearl) and Kongo(金剛; diamond), referring to DPPt and especially Dialga and Palkia, who in turn are based on the Shinto deities Izanami and Izanagi. The city and shrine is based on Ise Shrine.
- Oimatsu/Oldpine City:. The mountaintop village from the ancient days, where time seems of no relevance. The shrine speaks of legendary stories of Johto from such past. Based on Tanba and Sasayama Cities, Hyogo Pref. The English dubbed name is the transliteration of the Japanese name.
- Oribe/Glazemerald City: Traditionally a town renowned for its baked pottery ware, it also hosted Yoshino’s/Cherrygrove’s air base and international airport until its relocation to near Yaesa/Octerry in recent years. Oribe is from the Furuta Oribe, who was the tea ceremony master and daimyo during the Sengoku Period who influenced the type of pottery ware. (Furuta Oribe - Wikipedia) His name is also adopted for the green-copper colour widely seen in the Oribe ware. The glazed emerald-ish colour gives rise to the English name, Glazemerald. Based on cities including Tajimi (renowned for the Mino ceramics) and Komaki (home to Nagoya’s first airport prior to Centrair) Cities, also forming the Greater Nagoya Metropolis.
- Sakurajiro/Blancastel City: The city with the most beautiful Shoyoese castle, often dubbed as Princess Sakura. Reference to the white Castle of Himeji and the city it is in. Sakura is cherry, and its namesake color is a white/light-pink color. Shiro is castle. Blancastel is formed from blanc (French for white) and castel (French for castle).
Sensai Ranges: Reference to Rokko Mountains just north of Kobe. Senzai (千歳) or its alternate reading chitose is literally a thousand years, and the color name, Senzai-midori is a type of yellow-green describing the once prevalent evergreen forest of both the Pokeverse mountains and the real-life Mt Rokko. The naming is actually more ironic in the present day, as the existing forest is only a century old, resulting from development-induced deforestations during the Meiji era. - Ubame/Ilex City: Located on the northern edge of Ubame/Ilex Forest, it was formerly a sleepy harbour town until Goldenrod's suburbanization took place. It has since then became a dormitory suburb, a mini-resort town, and a transport hub for ferries heading to Tamba [Cianwood], and international flights to Kogane. The city is based both Wakayama City and Kansai International Airport.
- Ukon/Turmeric City: The Garden City featuring the Nature Park. It also had the former international airport of Kogane until it the area became increasingly built-up, resulting in noise and safety issues. (Ilex International Airport is the one now serving Kogane, and is located off the coast on an artificial island.) References to multiple municipalities of suburban Osaka, including Toyonaka (one of the garden suburbs of Osaka) and Suita (traditionally a prime rice-paddy area, and also hosted the Osaka World Expo in the 70s) and Itami (having one of the two airports serving Osaka). Ukon is turmeric, which was used for medicine and also for yellow pigment referring the golden rice fields.
- Umara/Rosaria City: A city of new and old, with a traditional castle town on one end and a modern industrial port on the other. This is in reference to Maizuru City, Kyoto Pref. The real-life city also has an old city centre and a new city centre. Umara is an ancient Japanese word for rose, and in turn is a reference to the contrast of the ancient Japanese rose and a modern European one.
- Yaesa/Octerry City: An industrial suburb east of Yoshino/Cherrygrove City. Traditionally a castle town during the Edo period, the modern era saw the city take on an industrial character producing silk. The 20th Century saw the development of the chemical industry, and also the Toyota Motor Group the world knows and loves today. Yaesa is from yaezakura (八重桜), which is yet another species of cherry blossom. Octerry is a combination of octo- & cherry, referring to the eight-fold petals of said cherry blossom. The city is based mainly on Toyota City, with additional references from Yokkaichi City, both being part of Greater Nagoya.
- Yamasa/ Hillcherry City: An old harbour town west of Yoshino/Cherrygrove City, where many beach-type Pokemon can be found. This is in reference to Kuwana City (located just west of Nagoya) being a traditional fisherman/port town during the Edo period. In recent decades the town has taken on an increasingly suburban character for upper/middle-class homeowners. Yamasa is from yamazakura (山桜), which is a different type of cherry blossom, known as hill cherry in English.
- Yuhama/Shorewell City: A traditional resort town of beach and hot springs facing the Sea of Shoyo, based on Kinosaki hot spring in Toyooka City, Hyogo Pref. Yuhama (湯浜) means beach with warm/hot water. The English dub name is shore & hot wellspring.
- Greater Kogane Metropolitan Region: Consists of Enju/Ecruteak, Kogane/Goldenrod, Asagi/Olivine, and surrounding cities and suburbs. While the majority of Johto's cities formed the nostalgic traditional Shoyoese landscapes from the Yamabuki Era and earlier, Kogane, Asagi, and to a lesser extent Enju also featured townscapes of romantic Euro-American style districts which recalled the Bunsei, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa Eras. In contrast to this seemingly architecturally conservative appearance, this metropolitan region is on average more politically and socially progressive, with many people siding with the Constitutionalists during the 2nd Boshin War chapter of World War II's Pacific Theatre. The Constitutionalists initially envisioned a representative government with extended rights to citizens, and got most of what it wanted - the only compromise was that the Imperial House was to stay, although it was Emperor Akihito that led Postwar Shoyo, with Former Emperor Hirohito abdicated instead.
Chugoku (West Shoyo)
- Awashima/Foxtail City: Another city of ancient Shintoist lore featuring the deities Izanagi and Izanami conceiving the Shoyoese archipelago. Their settlement and Izanamis death and burial is commemorated in a shrine in the city. References to Yonago, Tottori Pref which the above mythology was borrowed from the real-life counterpart. Ukon is turmeric, which was used for medicine and also for yellow pigment referring the golden rice fields. Awashima is the ancient name for the general area in question, and awa is also a Japanese foxtail millet, which is a edible rice grain species.
- Domura/Parishton City: An old-fashioned religious city with a cathedral that commemorates Arceus. Inspired from Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Pref, which has one of the first churches built by the Spanish Jesuit missionary Francisco Xavier during the Sengoku-era. It is also where Christmas was first celebrated. Do (堂) is often an impressive, large-sized building, which can refer to a Buddhist temple, or a Christian cathedral, or even a lecture/assembly hall. Mura (村) is village.
- Iwatari/Masonbridge City: A simple and sturdy city of industry built in stone. Inspired from Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Pref, as the real-life city was also traditionally considered to be simple during the Edo period, and became a city of industry after the Meiji period. The city's name is Iwa (岩; rock) + Watari (渡り; to cross), refering to the stone piers of Kintai Bridge in the real-life city.
- Mt Chigusabara/Emerplains:. A beautiful mountain plains on the western side of the Kurogane range featuring neverending pastures of high-altitude grasslands and deep-forested hills. Chigusa is a type of colour that is a blueish emerald colour, refering to the grass; together with hara/bara, the name becomes emerald fields, and refers to the neverending grass/forest landscape of Mt Sanbe in Tottori Pref. The English dub name is a combination and contraction of emerald and plain.
- Hanareda City: A seemingly isolated coastal castle town, which preserves the townscapes from the days of the Tokugawa Shogun. It had its glory days during the Bakumatsu period, both showcasing its modernised technology and its daimyos (with the Okuribi (Pyrebay) Domain from Hoenn) starting the Boshin War and eventually establishing the Meiji Restoration. Hanareda is hanareta (isolated) and ta/da (rice paddy), referring to real-life Hagi City’s isolated location, and also real-life Nagato City’s rice paddy along the coast, the only kind in Japan.
- Jinshu/Deltarm City: Basically a fortified army city for the Shoyoese Defense Force. In this history, Jinshu did not suffer the nuclear attack that real-life Hiroshima did, although it suffered extensive bombardment and urban warfare from the Shoyoese Republicans rebels. This is what Hiroshima's role would have continued as, if the nuclear attack did not happen. (I will send you my alternate history of WWII later.) Jin (陣) is battle formation, and shu (洲) is an area of many branching rivers, such as a delta. Deltarm is a contraction of Delta and Arm. [Inserts jokes about peace-loving Hiroshima vs glory-seeking Jinshu. Thanks, Mikoto and Garon!]
- Mt Katsubara/Ashfield: A highland resort town and farmland near one of the mountains on the Kurogane Ranges. Reference to Maniwa City and the resort area near Mt Hiruzen in Okayama Pref. Katsu-iro is a very dark black colour referring to the once active volcanos ashes, which can still be seen. It is also considered as a name with good omen as katsu is also to win. Thus, the Japanese name is fields of victory. The English dub name refers to the volcanic ash.
- Majimina/Crossport City: Located on the Shikoku side. It is north of, and is accessible via the Kanmon Bridge, Kanmon Tunnel, and Shin-Kanmon Tunnel to/from, Kanazumi [Rustboro] City. Another port city that is more multicultural, with visiting travellers from Korai (Korea) and Tsinguo (China). It is also the home for the Battle Facility, accessible for trainers that obtained all gym badges in any region in Korai, Tsinguo, or Shoyo. (The Battle Resort of ORAS does not exist in this Pokeverse version.) The Treaty of Majimina was held in circa 1895 after the 1st Tsinguo-Shoyoese War (which is the equivalent to the 1st Sino-Japanese War). Majimina is a combination of majiwaru(交わる; cross paths, interact) and minato (港; port). The city is based on Shimonoseki.
- Mimorijima/Mariner City: It was initially an isolated island said to house a goddess watching the ships go by. After the Meiji Era, the Imperial Shoyoese Navy established one of its main bases, along with the Army’s main base in nearby Jinshu (Deltarm) City. This continues to the present day – although by the much less aggressive Shoyoese Defence Force (though slightly less hesitant in engaging in peacekeeping operations than the real-life JSDF). Surrounding beaches are also popular with the family members of the navy officers. Based on the Etajima Island and Marine Self-Defence Force Base in Hiroshima Prefecture.
- Mitsushima/Trisle City: An industrial city of islands and canals, dubbed as the Shoyoese Alto Mare [Japanese Venice]. Reference to Kurashiki City, Okayama Pref, which also similarly developed from reclaiming land in the original three islands forming the present-day city. Mitsu is three, and shima is island, while Trile is tri (Latin for three) and ile (French for island).
- Momozono/Peachcourt City: The second-biggest city in the Shikoku region, after Jinshu/Deltarm [Hiroshima]. Reference to Okayama City in the namesake prefecture. Momo is a reference to the folk tale Momotaro, which originated from Okayama, while sono is garden, refering to Korakuen in the real-life city, considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens of Japan. The folktale is actually a reference to one of the ancient warriors and his Pokemon which defeated the Kami trio, whose squabbles devastated the land.
- Shiratorigishi/Swanarbor City: A small town of swan hunting grounds. This is in reference to Tottori City's etymology where a bird-hunting clan lived in ancient times, before the Yamato Government extended its influence to Shikoku region. According to Nihon Shoki, one of the emperors saw a swan fly off in the real-life region, and the Emperor's son, who was previously mute, could speak since then.
- Takamadera/Skyshrine City: An ancient city said to host the first Shoyoese shrine. Reference to Izumo Taisha in Tottori Prefecture, as one of the places settled by the Shintoist deities in Kojiki (the real-life version) and Nihon Shoki, leading to the creation of the Izumo Taisha shrine. Takama is the Shintoist heavenly realm, while dera/tera is temple.
Hoenn (Southwest Shoyo)
A word of caution: I've made some pretty major changes with Hoenn as I said before, I was quite displeased in RSE of the departure of the approach of the region's backstory writing from Gen 1-2. Firstly, Evergrande City from RSE/ORAS has been expanded into the Evergrande Islands. Two cities would be incorporated, with one of them being the Pokémon League headquarters of course. In addition, Kinagi [Pacifidlog] City has been reinterpreted as a resort city within the Evergrande Islands instead of being part of Hoenn. Finally, Kanazumi (Rustboro) City has a connection with the Poke-Chugoku via Majimina, which said city will become this fanfic's location for the Battle Frontier. As such the Battle Resort from ORAS will not exist in this headcanon.
- Kanazumi/Rustboro City (existing): The other port town flanking the Kanmon Strait, it was traditionally the gateway to Hoenn. After Shoyo began her country’s modernization in the 19th Century, the city boasted many fine European-style buildings, and even saw the first steelworks in the nation. Both Kanazumi and Majimina would grow multicultural with Shoyo’s colonial expansion to Korai and Tsinguo. The Kanmon Bridge and Tunnels built during the 20th Century would further integrate the two cities into one regional metropolis.
- Konahono/Sulfield City: Located between Himawaki [Fortree] and the aforementioned Sacho, Konahono was traditionally known for its gunpowder production, and is now known for its chemical industry. Kona is powder, ho is short for honou or fire, and no is field. Sulfield is a contraction of "Sulfur" and "field". Based on Nobeoka's modern role as a chemical production town.
- Okuribi/Pyrebay Town: A former port town until Mt Pyre has grown too big. Nowadays, it is a quaint southernmost castle town, with the modern role of trade and industry being relegated to Minamo [Lilycove]. Okuribi Town is a snapshot of Kagoshima until the Meiji-era, while Minamo is the same city that further developed after, similar to the relationship between Kyoto and Osaka/Kobe.
- Sacho/Sandtide City: A relatively new town that focuses on silicon-related development, located south of Hatsushige [Fallharbour]. It is a nod to Kyushu's status as the "Silicon Island" where some of the research and manufacturing facilities for electronics are located in Oita City. Sacho (砂潮) is Sandtide in Japanese.
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