Though Kanto may be the place where it all began, Pokemon fans have a special place in their hearts for Johto, the setting of Gold & Silver, Crystal, and HeartGold & SoulSilver. Unlike Kanto, its neighbor to the east, Johto does not share its name with its real-world counterpart.
The Johto region is geographically based on Japan's Kansai region, which is commonly contrasted with Kantō in Japanese culture. While Kantō is considered a modern business region, Kansai is regarded for its historical significance. As players may recall, Johto's overall architecture is designed to pay homage to an older time period, especially in HeartGold & SoulSilver.
10 Violet City - Nara, Nara Prefecture
Nara, the capital city of the Nara prefecture, is known for its ancient pagodas and temples. In the Generation II games and their remakes, Violet City is arguably the second-most traditional in appearance next to Ecruteak.
The Sprout Tower in Violet City could be inspired by any of the pagodas in the Nara Prefecture but appears most like the Horyu-ji, a temple that is believed to be the world's oldest wooden building. The Ruins of Alph to the southwest of the city are directly inspired by the tiny Asuka Village, where ancient stone carvings have been found.
9 Azalea Town - Minabe, Wakayama Prefecture
The similarities between Azalea Town and the real town of Minabe are very specific. Azalea Town is home to the Charcoal Kiln and the artisan Kurt, who uses Apricorns to make specialized Poke Balls. Similarly, the town of Minabe is known for its quality charcoal called 'binchōtan', and its apricots called 'ume'.
The town is very lush and has many agricultural groves, which may have influenced the Ilex Forest in Johto. Minabe also has several great fishing spots, which is why the Pokemon Slowpoke is so prominent in Azalea.
8 Goldenrod City - Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Goldenrod City is the largest city in the Johto region and the place where many players fall to Gym Leader Whitney and her overpowered Miltank. In the real world, it is obviously based on Osaka, the second-largest metropolis in Japan.
Like the Magnet Train Station based on Tokyo Station in Saffron City, Goldenrod's Magnet Train Station is based on the real Osaka Station. The Goldenrod Radio Tower could be a nod to Osaka's Tsūtenkaku, an iconic landmark of the city. The National Park to the north of Goldenrod may also represent Osaka Castle Park or the Expo Commemoration Park in Suita.
7 Ecruteak City - Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Any longtime Pokemon fan who steps foot in the beautiful city of Kyoto would instantly be able to see the connection to Ecruteak City. In Kyoto, two temples that are known as Kinkaku, the Golden Pavillion, and Ginkaku, the Silver Pavillion, serve as the inspiration behind Ecruteak's Bell Tower and Burned Tower.
Kinkaku was actually set aflame by a monk in 1950, though it has since been restored. Kyoto's historical architecture and traditions are also characterized in-game through the Ecruteak's houses and Dance Theatre.
6 Olivine City - Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
The capital of Hyōgo Prefecture, Kobe is a port city approximately an hour-long train ride from Kyoto. It is responsible for giving the world Kobe beef. The city has several astounding cafes, any of which could have possibly inspired the one in its Pokemon counterpart, Olivine City.
The Glitter Lighthouse is likely inspired by Kobe's own Port Tower, a popular sightseeing spot right by the ocean. A ferry to the Kanagawa Prefecture is also available here, just like in-game where players can board the S.S. Aqua from Olivine City to Vermilion City.
5 Cianwood City - Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku
Cianwood City's real-world equivalent Naruto is actually on a different island of Japan known as Shikoku. On the in-game map in HeartGold & SoulSilver, it appears that every area east of Cianwood is also a part of a separate island, so it would be safe to assume the entire space incorporates elements from Shikoku.
To get to Cianwood for the first time, players need to surf past some whirlpools, which can be observed in the real world as the Naruto whirlpools. The Cianwood Pharmacy with the SecretPotion needed to cure Amphy the sick Ampharos may be a reference to the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company, which is headquartered in Naruto.
4 Mahogany Town - Koka, Shiga Prefecture
About an hour's drive east of Kyoto is the city of Koka, which was actually a much smaller town at the time Gold & Silver was released. Described as the "Home of a Ninja" in HeartGold & SoulSilver, the real city of Koka is known for its Ninja Village and history.
The narrow underground tunnels in the Koka Ninja Village are reflected in the narrow halls of the hidden Team Rocket HQ. Like Mahogany Town is to the Lake of Rage, Koka is also in proximity to Lake Biwa. It's the largest lake in Japan, so it makes sense for a gigantic Red Gyarados to live there.
3 Blackthorn City - Kai, Yamanashi Prefecture
To get to Blackthorn City, players must traverse through the Ice Path, which is likely inspired by the Narusawa Ice Cave in Yamanashi Prefecture. This cave stays cold year-round and has frozen ponds with beautiful ice formations.
Blackthorn itself geographically sits in the present-day city of Kai, which was formerly three separate towns before merging in 2004. One of these separate towns was called Ryuo, which literally means 'Dragon-King'. The Dragon's Den in the city could be a nod to the Kanazakura shrine in Yamanashi which primarily features dragons.
2 New Bark Town - Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Chūbu
As the place where many players chose either Cyndaquil, Totodile, or Chikorita, New Bark Town is fondly remembered by many Pokemon fans. Despite being one of the smallest locations in Johto, New Bark Town is actually based on Shizuoka, the capital of the Shizuoka Prefecture.
This is actually outside Kansai in the neighboring Chūbu Region of Japan. In HeartGold & SoulSilver, New Bark is depicted with wind turbines, which are present in some areas of Shizuoka Prefecture.
1 Mt. Silver - Mount Fuji, Shizuoka & Yamanashi Prefectures
After completing a long journey through both Johto and Kanto, players are left with a final challenge: ascend to the peak of Mt. Silver. Home to ferocious Rock- and Ice-types, it's no surprise that Mt. Silver is based on the highest mountain in Japan, Mount Fuji.
Once players reach the top, they will find the final boss, Red. Red's presence here is a reference to Kuninotokotachi, a deity in Shinto mythology who is said to live atop Mount Fuji's peak.