A Traveler's Guide to the World of Pokémon/Regions/Sinnoh

File:Shin'ou Region.jpg

The Sinnoh region, introduced in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, is loosely based on the geographical aspects of Hokkaidō

Sinnoh (シンオウ地方, Shin'ō-chihō) is a Pokémon region in the fictional universe of Pokémon, and is the setting of the Nintendo DS games Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.

Sinnoh, like Pokémon regions in previous games, features a broad range of environments for the player to explore. The region is mountainous and temperate, and features, for the first time in a Pokémon RPG, snowy routes. While this region's location with relation to other regions portrayed in the franchise is unknown, Ash Ketchum refers to Sinnoh as an island during the English dub of the last episode of season 9 of the anime, while Professor Oak mentions that it's located to the north of the Kanto/Johto landmass. The in-game map shows that the region consists of about 70% land and 30% water. There are thirty routes in Sinnoh numbered 201 to 230 and, like the Hoenn region before it, do not follow sequentially from the previous region's routes: routes in Hoenn, the previous region, were numbered 101 to 134. Sinnoh has four lakes, each of which houses a legendary Pokémon: Lake Acuity houses Uxie, Lake Valor houses Azelf, Lake Verity houses Mesprit, and the secret Sendoff Spring houses Giratina inside Turnback Cave. Sinnoh is based on the geography of the Japanese island of Hokkaidō, the southern half of the Russian island of Sakhalin, and the disputed island of Kunashir.

Sinnoh features an extensive underground area called The Underground. In this area a player can dig for stones, items, and spheres which can be exchanged for items with underground barterers. The player can also use DS Wireless Communication compete with players within the area to a capture the flag game.

The Diamond and Pearl season of the anime is set in Sinnoh.

Cities and towns

Twinleaf Town

Twinleaf Town (フタバタウン, Futaba Taun, Futaba Town in original Japanese language versions) is the town in which the protagonists of Diamond and Pearl, the player and the player's rival, reside and from which they begin their journey across the region of Sinnoh, located south of Route 201, southwest of Sandgem Town, southeast of Lake Verity, and north of a small pond.

Sandgem Town

Sandgem Town (マサゴタウン, Masago Taun, Masago Town in original Japanese language versions) houses the laboratory of Professor Rowan, an accomplished professor whose expertise concerns Pokémon, and features the game's first Pokémon Center and Pokémart. It is also home to Professor Rowan's assistant Dawn/Lucas, and is where the player gets the National Pokédex after seeing 150 Pokémon of the Sinnoh region.

Jubilife City

Jubilife City (コトブキシティ, Kotobukit Shiti, Kotobuki City in original Japanese language versions) houses a television station, the Trainer's School, "Pokétch Company", the company which makes the Pokétch, and the Global Trade Station or GTS, which allows for trading over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The city is based on the Japanese city of Sapporo.

Oreburgh City

Oreburgh City (クロガネシテ, Kurogane Shiti, Kurogane City in original Japanese language versions) is home to the Oreburgh Mine, the Mining Museum and the rock-type gym.

Floaroma Town

Floaroma Town (ソノオタウン, Sonō Taun, Sonō Town in original Japanese language versions) is a flower-loving city, where many of the fields have endless amounts of flowers in them — of all colors. Many trainers are attracted to the city because of the fragrant smell. The Pokémon Contests have relevance in this town because of the Pick a Peck of Flowers Shop, where one can purchase Pokémon accessories. There is also a man that sells honey in the flower fields.

Eterna City

Eterna City (ハクタイシティ, Hakutai Shiti, Hakutai City in original Japanese language versions) is home to the second Gym Leader, Gardenia, as well as a Bicycle Shop and a Team Galactic building. The Underground Man also lives in Eterna, he will give the player the Explorer Kit, allowing the player to enter the Underground and he will continue to tutor the player on the underground. The bike shop can also be found in this town.

Veilstone City

Veilstone City (トバリシティ, Tobari Shiti, Tobari City in original Japanese language versions) is home to the third Gym Leader, Maylene, as well as a Department Store, Game Corner, and Team Galactic's official Regional Headquarters and Warehouse. While in the town the character is confronted by Professor Rowan's assistant who claims Team Galactic stole her Pokédex at which point you battle your way throught Team Galactic's headquarters to retrieve it. In the anime, it is the hometown of Paul, one of the rivals of Ash Ketchum.

Pastoria City

Pastoria City (ノモセシティ, Nomose Shiti, Nomose City in original Japanese language versions) is home to the fourth Gym Leader, Wake, as well as the Great Marsh, Diamond and Pearl's equivalent of the Safari Zone.

Celestic Town

Celestic Town (カンナギタウン, Kannagi Taun, Kannagi Town in original Japanese language versions) is a small town just right next to Eterna City. It is home to an ancient temple honoring the legendary Pokémon Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Dialga, and Palkia. It, like Eterna city, is very traditional and houses many legends. Celestic Town also happens to be the home town of the current Sinnoh Region Pokemon League Champion, Cynthia.

Canalave City

Canalave City (ミオシティ, Mio Shiti, Mio City in original Japanese language versions) is home to the sixth Gym Leader, Byron. Canalave City also has a port in which the player can board a ship to Iron Island, an island off Sinnoh. The city also houses the Harbor Inn, which the player must access to capture Darkrai via an event.

Hearthome City

Hearthome City (ヨスガシティ, Yosuga Shiti, Yosuga City in original Japanese language versions) is home to the fifth Gym Leader, Fantina, as well as the Pokémon Super Contest Hall it was also voted the most desirable place in Sinnoh. It also has Amity Square, in which one can take walks with "cute" Pokémon. (According to the game, the only permitted Pokémon are Pikachu, Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Psyduck, Torchic, Shroomish, Skitty, Pachirisu, Drifloon, Buneary and Happiny) Accessories for Pokémon Super Contests can be collected every 200 steps.

Solaceon Town

Solaceon Town (ズイタウン, Zui Taun, Zui Town in original Japanese language versions) is home to a Day-care Center. Nearby is the Solaceon Ruins, which contain the Unown.

Snowpoint City

Snowpoint City (キッサキシティ, Kissaki Shiti, Kissaki City in original Japanese language versions) is home to the seventh Gym Leader, Candice, and the Snowpoint Temple containing the Legendary Pokémon Regigigas. On certain predetermined days, a weather effect called diamond dust occurs.

Sunyshore City

Sunyshore City (ナギサシティ, Nagisa Shiti, Nagisa City in original Japanese language versions) is home to the eighth Gym Leader, Volkner, a market for buying seals that can be placed on Poké Balls and a lighthouse that overlooks the Pokémon League. Much of the city is powered by solar cells. Also, the Olivine City Gym Leader, Jasmine, is present by the route to the Pokémon League. The city experiences a crippling blackout until the player engages Team Galactic and Dialga or Palkia at Spear Pillar.

Pokémon League

The Pokémon League (ポケモンリーグ, Pokemon Rīgu) Headquarters is portrayed as a magnificent castle at the top of a large waterfall in Diamond and Pearl.

Other areas

Old Chateau

The Old Chateau (もりのようかん, Mori no Youkan, Forest Manor in original Japanese language versions) is a crumbling haunted mansion in Eterna Forest, filled with Ghost-type Pokémon. The player can acquire Rotom here after after a certain time in the night by conversing with the TV set. There are also several ghosts of humans which appear on occasion, although they can not be interacted with.

Mt. Coronet

Mt. Coronet (テンガンざん, Tengan-zan, Mt. Tengan in original Japanese language versions) is the tallest mountain in Sinnoh, dividing it in half. Notable features include the Spear Pillar, where the legendary Pokémon Palkia or Dialga (depending on the version being played) is located. This is also where the climax of the plot happens, and the player must battle the Team Galactic Administrators and then their Leader.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Spear Pillar is one of the stages. Dialga, Palkia, or even Cresselia may appear on a platform in the center of the battle field and perform attacks.

Solaceon Ruins

Solaceon Ruins (ズイのいせき) is a cave in Solaceon Town that is home to the Unown, where all 26 can be found.

Great Marsh

The Great Marsh (だいしつげん, Dai Shitsugen, Great Marsh in original Japanese language versions) is where the Safari Game is held. The Great Marsh is a large area divided into six smaller areas labelled from one to six. Instead of normal grass, pokemon in the Great Marsh are found in grassy mud. After the National Dex is obtained several new pokemon can be found; these include Kangaskhan, Carvanha, Yanma etc.

Pokémon Mansion

Pokémon Mansion (ポケモンやしき) is a large mansion with a trophy garden at the back. After the National Dex is obtained, several new species of Pokemon can be found in the garden, but in order to find them the player must talk to the owner who will then send out his butler to place the said Pokemon in the garden because the owner lied and the said Pokemon does not exist in the garden.

Iron Island

Iron Island (こうてつじま, Kōtetsu-jima, Steel Island in original Japanese language versions) is the training place of the people of Canalave City's Gym and Riley, a trainer who gives the player a Riolu egg.

Fullmoon Island

Fullmoon Island (まんげつじま, Mangetsu-jima) is home to the Legendary Pokémon Cresselia. It runs away after the player sees it long enough for it to be entered into the Pokédex.

Turnback Cave

Turnback Cave (もどりのどうくつ, Modori no Doukutsu, Recovery Cave in original Japanese language versions) is at the center of Sendoff Spring, the fourth lake of Sinnoh that was hidden long ago. It leads into an alternate dimension, where Giratina is housed.

Newmoon Island

Newmoon Island (しんげつじま, Shingetsu-jima) is home to the Legendary Pokémon Darkrai, but can only be reached with a "Member's Card" which is through a Nintendo event.

Flower Paradise

The Flower Paradise (はなのらくえん, Hana no Rakuen) is accessed with a special item called "Oak's Letter," which must be obtained through a Nintendo event. Shaymin is available here.

Hall of Origin

The Hall of Origin (はじまりのま, Hajimari no Ma) is accessed with a special item called "Azure Flute," which must be obtained through a Nintendo event. The Hall of Origin will appear after playing the Azure Flute in Spear Pillar. A staircase leading up will appear. Arceus resides in the Hall of Origin.

Battle Zone

The Battle Zone (バトルゾーン, Batoru Zōn) is an island off the northeast of mainland Sinnoh and is home to the Battle Tower, where the player can get Battle Points, like in Hoenn's Battle Frontier.

Similarly to Pokémon Emerald, Battle Points are won from battles and can be exchanged for goods and move tutoring services.

The Battle Zone houses four important locations: Stark Mountain (ハードマウンテン, Hādo Maunten, Hard Mountain in original Japanese language versions), in which the player can find the legendary Pokémon Heatran, and three specific areas, the Fight Area (ファイトエリア, Faito Eria), the Survival Area (サバイバルエリア, Sabaibaru Eria) and the Resort Area (リゾートエリア, Rizōto Eria).

Alamos Town

Alamos Town (アラモスタウン, Aramosu Taun, Aramos Town in original Japanese language versions) is a town in the Sinnoh Region that appears in the movie Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai. In the town there is the Space-Time Tower (時空の塔, Jikū no Tō) where Darkrai appears.

Sinnoh Underground

The Sinnoh Underground is a mini-game that becomes accessible after obtaining the Explorer Kit from the Underground Man in Eterna City. It uses the Nintendo DS Wireless Communication feature to allow simultaneous play and exploration of the area (however, it cannot be played over Nintendo Wi-Fi).

In the Sinnoh Underground, one can make a secret base, dig for treasure (including rare items such as evolution stones) and speak to friends. One can find spheres, which are a sort of currency used to trade with hikers for Secret Base decorations. One can also steal flags of others—obtaining a certain number of flags and speaking to the Underground Man allows the player to upgrade his or her Secret Base.

By speaking to 32 people in the Underground (not including hikers, but including repeat interactions with the same person provided that one leaves the Underground between each), one can obtain the Pokémon Spiritomb. You can also collect flags (3 flags for bronze, 10 flags for gold and 50 flags for platinum).

Rewards for flag types include: For bronze, remove 5 boulders and 15 goods may be placed in one secret base. For gold, radar on pc may be used and for platinum, all boulders may be removed.