Popular Pokémon "Eevee" and its evolved form manhole cover (Popular Pokémon "Eevee" and its evolved form manhole cover)

"The story of Ibusuki x Eevee begins with a pun"

Ibusuki city appointed the popular Pokémon Eevee as the city's sports and cultural exchange ambassador, inspired by the play on words "Eevee lover → I-buisuki → Ibusuki (Ibusuki)." Eevee-designed manhole covers have been installed in front of the station, and the city is developing features that allow people to enjoy Pokémon-themed strolls throughout the town.

"The fun of exploring all nine types - A treasure hunt for evolved Poké Lids"

In February 2019, eight new manhole covers (Poké Lids) based on the evolved forms of Eevee were installed. They are scattered around tourist spots in Ibusuki City, and have become a way to promote local tourism centered around visiting the manhole covers.

A journey of "Pokémon x city walking" connected by manholes

Ibusuki City is a tourist destination known for its hot springs, sand bath culture, and scenic coastal scenery, but in recent years it has also been attracting attention for its unique tourist resource: "Pokémon x Walking Around the City."
This involves the installation of manholes featuring the popular Pokémon Eevee and its evolved forms, known as Pokéfuta (Pokémon manholes) .

Why Eevee? The connection to Ibusuki and the play on words

The reason for choosing Eevee in the first place was due to the phonetic connection in Ibusuki city: "I love Eevee → I-buisuki → Ibusuki (Ibusuki)." Based on the play on words with the city's name, an Eevee manhole cover was installed in front of Ibusuki Station in December 2018, and the character has been welcomed as a sort of mascot for the town.

Furthermore, Eevee has the ability to evolve into multiple types. Based on this motif, eight types of Poke Lids featuring the evolved forms of Pokemon (Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon) were installed in various locations around the city on February 22, 2019.

This has resulted in the creation of a "mechanism that will become a purpose for walking" for Pokémon fans and tourists, rather than simply installing a manhole.

Pokefuta locations and how to enjoy them

Nine types of manholes, including Eevee, are installed at tourist spots and on sidewalks in Ibusuki City.

The main installation examples are shown below:

• On the grounds of the Sand Bath Hall "Saraku" : Vaporeon/Booster (near the hot springs and tourist facilities)

• Fureai Plaza Nanohanakan : Sanders

• Chirin Island Neighborhood Eco Campsite : Leafeon

• Time Hall COCCO Hashimure : Glacia

• Near Ibusuki Library : Nymphia

• Central Park Ibusuki : Espeon

• Behind Ibusuki Station : Blacky

• In front of Ibusuki Station : Original Eevee manhole cover

The appeal of visiting these places is that it becomes a tour plan that allows you to walk around Ibusuki city and visit tourist attractions. Each manhole has a character type hidden inside, so you can enjoy the feeling of a treasure hunt as you search for them.

These manholes are also set as PokéStops in Pokémon GO, so you can enjoy them in conjunction with the game.

Sample walking courses and points to note

Sample course flow (example)

1. Start from the Eevee manhole in front of Ibusuki Station

2. Check out Espeon in Central Park

3. Discover Glaceon at Jiyukan COCCO Hashimure

4. Sanders at Fureai Plaza Nanohanakan

5. Find Leafeon at Eco Campground

6. Enjoy Vaporeon Booster at the Sand Bath Hall "Saraku"

7. I finally spotted Blackie behind the station.

By following this route, you can enjoy Ibusuki's hot springs, sand baths, and seaside scenery all at the same time. The route is designed so that you can easily get around on foot or by rental bicycle "Iburin," allowing you to fully enjoy sightseeing while moving around.

Points to note/trivia

• The installation locations may be temporarily relocated due to construction work, so it is best to check the latest installation location information on the city's official website. For example, the Showers manhole cover was once relocated to the lobby of the Sand Bath Hall "Saraku" due to construction work on a lodging facility.

• When walking while taking photos or using your smartphone, please be mindful of your footing and traffic. Be careful not to block the sidewalk.

• Damaging or graffitiing the manholes themselves is prohibited. Treat them with care as local assets.

• We recommend planning your trip with ample time, as you may not have enough time to visit all the manholes.

In this way, Ibusuki City's "Eevee + Evolution Manholes (Poke Lids)" are a new approach to "city walking tourism" that will appeal not only to Pokémon fans, but also to those who love strolling and photography. Be sure to include an "Eevee Manhole Tour" in your travel plans and add some fun that is unique to Ibusuki.