The vibrant streets of Asakusa, Tokyo, became a playground for Pokémon enthusiasts as the Pokémon GO Exclusive Asakusa Route Event kicked off last weekend. Read on for our coverage of the event!
Pokémon GO's Exclusive Asakusa Route Event: Routes, Raids, Tradition, and Surprises
Last weekend marked the kickoff of the Pokémon GO Exclusive Route Event in the historical Asakusa neighborhood of Tokyo, Japan. Game8's very own walkathon-trainer-master Jei Clifford joined in the vibrant Pokémon community that gathered in Tokyo's Asakusa district.
Running from November 25th to December 10th, the Pokémon GO Exclusive Route Event brought a delightful fusion of eight official routes and Pokémon GO-inspired Ukiyo-e map-style artwork to Tokyo's Asakusa district.
Ukiyo-e, which translates to "pictures of the floating world", is a traditional style of Japanese woodblock printing that flourished from the Edo Period of Japan. Ukiyo-e art primarily depicted scenes of the "floating world," a term associated with the transient, fleeting nature of life.
Eight official routes, each represented by a different Pokémon, guided players through the historic areas of Asakusa, turning the neighborhood into an interactive Pokémon haven.
"It was a pretty good time. I went with a local group of Pokémon Go Players I often join events with, and there were a lot of people playing Pokémon GO. Pikachu Cardboard Hats were given out as well, plus there were a lot of people lining up for the freebies."
The sheer number of Pokémon GO players and the lively and communal atmosphere permeated through Asakusa. The event not only attracted seasoned trainers but also caught the attention of unsuspecting passersby, particularly children and their parents, who were delighted by the vibrant spectacle.
"I saw the group of performers a few times, even at the train station on my way back, and children who happened to be passing by and their parents who didn't know anything about the Pokémon GO event were pretty happy and surprised to see them."
Pokémon GO Asakusa Event Eight Official Routes
| Past and Present Route | Recreational Route |
|---|---|
 Pikachu |
 Eevee |
| Night View Route | Full Stomach Route |
 Litwick |
 Snorlax |
| Waterside Route | Scenic Route |
 Magikarp |
 Gardevoir |
| Narrow Route | Astonishing Route |
 Meowth |
 Darumaka |
The heart of the event lies in the eight official routes, each represented in Ukiyo-e style by a different Pokémon. From the Pikachu-themed "Past and Present Route" to the whimsical "Night View Route" featuring Litwick, each route unveiled special spawns. Trainers had the chance to encounter and collect Pokémon such as Pikachu, Snorlax, Gardevoir, Eevee, Darumaka, Magikarp, Meowth, and Litwick.
Ukiyo-e style PokéStops mark the beginning and end of each route. Trainers were treated to various decorations and artwork that adorned the historic areas of Asakusa. Completing any of the eight official routes meant bagging special in-person rewards for dedicated trainers.
"Overall a good vibe, and it really felt like they were pulling out all the bells and whistles for this one with the sky high Meowth Don Quijote* banner, giveaways, performers and decorations."
* Don Quijote, also commonly referred to as Donki, is a multinational discount store chain in Japan.
Pokémon Go Asakusa Event Raid Encounters
| Raid Bosses | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tornadus |
 Thundurus |
 Articuno |
|||
 Moltres |
 Zapdos |
||||
Special raids featuring legendary Pokémon take place in Pokémon gyms throughout the routes in the Asakusa area. Trainers have the opportunity to encounter Raid Bosses, including Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Tornadus, and Thundurus. A chance for trainers to test their skills and, perhaps, add a legendary Pokémon to their collection.
Adding a touch of tradition and surprise to the event was a performing troupe called the Chindon’ya—street musicians who perform a traditional Japanese advertising style that has become rare in modern times. The Chindon’ya are named after the sounds their instruments make ("chin" from the little gong and "don" from the drums). The lively performances, the transforming of JinRikisha (rickshaws) into Machamps with Pokéballs, and Pokémon decorations created an eye-catching spectacle throughout Asakusa.
If you’re around Tokyo, definitely check the event out. The Pokémon GO Exclusive Route Event in Asakusa is not just a unique gaming experience, but a celebration of community, tradition, and the timeless appeal of Pokémon.
