Kitakami

Biodata

Geography and Landmarks

• Landscape — Mountains surround Kitakami’s farmland and apple orchards. Its rice fields are also habitat and workplace for Pokémon that guard crops and catch pests 1 2.
• Oni Mountain — Kitakami’s principal landmark. Streams from its summit form several waterfalls; its volcanic hot springs open in winter, when they are not made too hot by nearby Slugma and Magcargo 2 26.
• Verdant Town — A local town where Kitakami’s administrator works 2.
• Kitakami Center — Shrine grounds along Dancing Road, nearly five kilometers from Verdant Town. A path into Oni Mountain begins behind the shrine, and festival stalls are set up here 42.
• Eternal Forest — A remote forest associated with tales of a monster, nighttime mist and a Blood Moon 71.
• Wavy Riverbank — Site of the orchard and manor inherited by Mingyou from his grandfather 2 3.

Economy and Transport

• Fruit growing was once Kitakami’s chief industry; tourism later became its main source of income. A mountain road built in recent years provided its only road connection to the outside world 2.
• Winter attractions include Oni Mountain’s hot springs. The Festival of Masks and Kitakami Center’s stalls also draw visitors 26 42 158.
• A railway linking Kitakami with Johto, Kanto and Sinnoh was completed by Chapter 358, pending inspection. Its station is three kilometers south of Verdant Town’s bus stop, and the tracks were routed to protect the natural environment 358.

Traditions and Local History

• Festival of Masks — A local festival whose challenge event is run by the Kitakami Ogre Mask Group, a team of strong Trainers 59.
• Hatsumode — On New Year’s Day, residents visit Kitakami Center Shrine to offer coins and pray for good fortune 188.
• Ogerpon and the Loyal Three — Kitakami long treated Ogerpon as a feared ogre and honored the Loyal Three at Loyalty Plaza. After Pecharunt’s defeat, Mingyou disclosed the falsehood behind that history. Loyalty Plaza was rebuilt as Ogerpon Plaza, with Ogerpon’s statue replacing those of the Loyal Three 200 201 203.

Development

The Toxic Mochi incident harmed Kitakami’s reputation and tourism. Administrator Yao Qian consequently gave Mingyou authority over development plans, and Mingyou used his farm’s online following to help attract visitors again 202 203 206.

Later projects included Ogerpon’s dessert shop, built with help from residents and tourists, and a school in Verdant Town proposed by Akari to give local children more educational choices. By the following New Year, the school was operating, while Mingyou had completed an Ecological Park whose effects on the surrounding environment were being monitored 351 356 357 399 401.