Index
1. An Eevee Utility Hole Cover Appears in Ibusuki
On December 20, 2018, a ceremony in the city of Ibusuki, in Kagoshima Prefecture, unveiling of a new utility hole cover featuring a Pokémon design.
The Pokémon utility hole covers, known as “Poké Lids,” are donated by The Pokémon Company to local governments Japan to highlight regional attractions through Pokémon. In Ibusuki, the first of the newly created Poké Lids, featuring Eevee, was installed in front of the city’s main train station.
Eevee was chosen to represent the Ibusuki cover due to a playful pun: the city’s name, Ibusuki, sounds quite similar to “Eevee Suki,” which translates to “I like Eevee.”
The project originated from Ibusuki’s proposal to appoint Eevee as the city’s ambassador of sports and culture. This idea eventually evolved into this unprecedented plan to install custom utility hole covers.
2. Beloved by the Local Community
Poké Lids are also making positive impact in Hokkaido.
The city of Pippu, known for strawberries, skiing, and its supreme view of the Daisetsuzan mountains, is also the birthplace of “Yumepirika,” one of Japan’s most highly regarded varieties of rice. Today, Pippu is also home to a Poké Lid of its own.
The people in town are very fond of it. To ensure the cover remains visible during winter, the community put a tent up over it. They also posted a sign nearby that asks passersby, if they do happen to see the cover buried under snow, to gently remove the snow with the provided shovel and broom and “catch” the Pokémon for themselves.
This display of local affection caught the attention of many on social media, where Pippu’s Poké Lid became known as “Japan’s most overprotected” utility hole cover. It’s inspired many people to visit Pippu to see the cover for themselves.
3. Poké Lids Highlighting Local Sights
Every Poké Lid is 63 centimeters in diameter and features a completely original design, making each of them one of a kind. We have no plans to mass-produce them, and our ultimate goal is not to install them everywhere throughout Japan.
Instead, our desire is to work closely with the local communities where Poké Lids will be installed to discuss Pokémon. We want to work together on initiatives such as promoting regional tourism and supporting disaster recovery efforts.
If you happen to spot a Poké Lid somewhere during your travels, please take a moment to admire the details. You’re sure to discover hidden surprises or a scene that reflects the region.
For decades to come, Poké Lids will remain a fun and integral part of these local landscapes.