Put your exploring boots on and get ready to discover Miyagi prefecture with the support of lovable Pokémon character; Lapras.

To begin your tour of Miyagi, it’s always a good idea to start off by feeding your knowledge of the area. The best thing for the job of course, is a guidebook – which luckily, the prefecture has already prepared for a trip to Miyagi.
In addition to introducing the charm of Miyagi prefecture in the fall and winter, the special guidebook also contains a range of special projects and collaboration with Lapras. To get your hands on a Miyagi X Lapras fall/winter guidebook head over to tourist information centers and major stations along JR East and JR Hokkaido.

Additional Poke Lid Installations

Discover parts of Miyagi you didn’t know of by following the special Lapras ‘Poké Lid’ manhole covers that are scattered across the prefecture. Poké Lids are part of an effort to increase and encourage tourism in lesser-known areas. The manhole covers feature limited edition designs of Lapras enjoying the surrounding area.

In addition to the 15 coastal ‘Poké Lids’ established last year, a further 20 inland installations are scheduled to appear across the region from early December. Try to ‘catch them all’ and discover more of Miyagi in the process.

Each of the Poké Lids will act as a PokéStop location for the popular augmented reality game, Pokémon Go.


Miyagi Tour Stamp Rally

This stamp rally can be used as a basic recommended touring plan of the prefecture. Collect as many stamps as possible and gain entry into a lottery of Miyagi Prefecture and Lapras original goods and products.

Taking place from 1 November 2020 to 1 March 2021, there are 36 stamps available to collect in total across Miyagi Prefecture.

Prize A (5 Stamps): Assortment of special Miyagi prefecture products. Awarded to 10 people chosen by lottery.
Prize B (5 Stamps: Lapras x Sendai Tansu ‘Sen Cube’ (storage cube). Awarded to 10 people chosen by lottery.
Prize C (3 stamps): Assortment of Lapras Products. Awarded to 30 people chosen by lottery.
Prize C (3 stamps): Assortment of Lapras Products. Awarded to 30 people chosen by lottery.
Prize D (3 Stamps): Lapras Manhole cover design clear file and lapras bath toy set. Awarded to 500 people chosen by lottery.

To enjoy a trip around all of Miyagi prefecture, you are going to need a place to stay. And what better accommodation to stay at than one that features Lapras amenities and goods?

At Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East Lapras is making some special appearances. The Miyagi Prefecture x Lapras x Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East Special project includes a stay plan with breakfast, and allows guests to enjoy a commemorative photoshoot with Lapras, as well as collect some goodies during your stay.

Lapras original limited edition amenities:

  • Clear bottle
  • Alcohol disinfectant spray
  • Bamboo mug cup
  • Toothpaste and brush set
  • Hooded bath towel


Since 2018, Pokemon Co. has collaborated with Miyagi, Kagawa, Hokkaido, Tottori, Fukushima, Iwate and Miyazaki prefectures in an attempt to help boost tourism and the positive image of each region. Each prefecture has been appointed a special ‘support Pokemon’, which then acts as a sort of ambassador or mascot of the region.

Miyagi prefecture’s selected support pokemon is Lapras. The lovable pokemon is known for it’s kind heart and avoidance of fights. Lapras has one of the highest intelligence amongst Pokemon and is even able to understand human language. When it is in a good mood, it sings with a beautiful voice. Lapras loves to swim in the sea, and often shares journeys across oceans with both people and other pokemon who ride on it’s back.


By - Connie Sceaphierde.