Pokemon.com is celebrating 30 years of Pokémon by looking back at the regions that have captured the hearts of fans. Get ready to take a few trips down memory lane as we explore and reflect on iconic locations and encounters from the regions across the Pokémon world.
We’ve already explored Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos, so why not stop for a tropical vacation in the Alola region? While you take in the lush greenery and warm ocean air, you might as well have the Alola Paired Pikachu Plush from Pokémon Center by your side!
This region debuted in Pokémon Sunand Pokémon Moon, and the storyline was revisited and reworked in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon. Alola is known for its verdant landscapes, diverse ecology, and deep cultural relationship with Pokémon. So, let’s adventure along sandy shores and bask in the beauty of this unique region.
Hau’oli City
Nestled on the coast of Melemele Island, Hau’oli City is the largest city in Alola and a bustling hub of commerce and tourism. After leaving Iki Town with your first partner Pokémon and graduating from the Trainers’ School, this is the first big stop on your journey through Alola! Here, you can do some shopping at the local mall, kick back on the beachfront, or set out for new destinations from the ferry terminal.
This city is also where Ash and Pikachu’s Alola journey begins in Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon! In the first episode, “Alola to New Adventure!”, we learn that Mimey won an exciting Alola vacation for Ash and his family. In Hau’oli City, Ash is introduced to the Alolan custom of Ride Pokémon, diving beneath the waves on a Sharpedo Jet, taking a Tauros Charge around town, and discovering tons of new Pokémon along the way.
It wouldn’t be a visit to Alola without tasting a delicious malasada, and Hau’oli City’s malasada shop has some especially sweet ones. While you’re there, you can also grab a Big Malasada, which cures Pokémon status conditions! The Big Malasada was also featured as an Item card in the Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon expansion, where it had similar healing qualities (and delicious-looking artwork).
Other malasada shops around Alola offer different flavors, so be sure to try them all on your travels—and make sure to share a bite with your first partner Pokémon!
Malie City
Stroll along cobblestone paths under the soft glow of lantern light in Malie City, Ula’ula Island’s one and only city, which boasts distinct Eastern-inspired architecture.
Want to feel some Kanto nostalgia during your visit to Alola? Stop by the Kantonian Gym! The Alola region doesn’t have Gyms like many other regions—instead, aspiring Champions must complete unique trials, battle Totem Pokémon, and beat each of the island kahunas. But in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, you can satisfy your desire for classic battles at this Gym.
Here, you can take on the rock star Ryuki and his supercool Kommo-o. Just like the player character, he traveled from another region to Alola, although he’s here to spread his stardom throughout the Pokémon world! He’s a Trainer in the Pokémon League and a Dragon-type aficionado, so expect a fierce fight.
After getting in some fun battles, stop by the well-manicured Malie Garden, a “paradise for perambulation” designed by former Johto residents. A lake shaped like Gyarados runs through the garden, and a cozy tea shop sits at the garden’s center, inviting visitors to rest for a quiet moment among the greenery.
Ash and his friends also visit Malie Garden in the episode “Drawn with the Wind!” from Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon—Ultra Legendsand realize that all the attractions are run by Pokémon! It’s fun to see Pokémon from other regions make an appearance in this very cross-regional town, such as Froslass dutifully serving tea and Hariyama toting tourists in a pull cart.
You also might run into some Trainers on a bridge, with very familiar non-Alolan teams and some interesting dialogue. Defeat them all to get a Big Nugget…and maybe join Team Rocket? …Just kidding!
After you’ve enjoyed a (mostly) relaxing walk through the garden, pop into Malie Library. Here, you might run into Samson Oak, cousin of Kanto’s Professor Oak. These cousins look nearly identical, although it looks like Samson has a bit more island flair!
He can teach you a little more about what makes the Alola region so special, particularly the regional forms. These Pokémon adapted to the diverse climates in Alola, taking on different types and appearances. The shelves of the library are also brimming with useful information about guardian deities, island kahunas, and the origin of Z-Moves, so be sure to hit the books.
And as you head to your next destination through the tall grass surrounding the city, keep an eye out for city-dwelling regional forms of beloved Kanto Pokémon!
Abandoned Thrifty Megamart
This might not seem like a particularly scenic destination, but if you want any chance of spotting the adorable Mimikyu on your travels through Alola, then the Thrifty Megamart is well worth the stop.
Located on Ula’ula Island, this market was destroyed by the island’s tapu—Tapu Bulu—after being built on sacred grounds. The four tapu are the guardian deities of their respective islands, sworn to protect and defend their land. Now, the ruins of this market are home to heaps of Ghost-type Pokémon!
You might remember taking on Acerola’s trial at this Thrifty Megamart. She’s the captain of the site and a member of the Alola Elite Four, specializing in Ghost-type Pokémon. In this trial, you must investigate shaking shopping carts, floating dolls, and whirring conveyor belts and use the Poké Finder to sns of several spooky Pokémon
The Poké Finder is one of the many interesting features of your brand-new Rotom Dex, allowing you to sns of wild Pokémon. You probably recall trying your best to capture the perfect shot and rack up those “Thumbs-Up” points! Here, you’re playing amateur ghost hunter, capturing proof of some lighthearted hauntings
After snapping pics of three different ghostly Pokémon, the building’s back door unlocks, letting you enter and encounter the extra-large Totem Mimikyu! This is the only place in Alola where you can find fan-favorite Mimikyu, so be sure to put the abandoned Thrifty Megamart on your travel itinerary.
You can also check out the Pokémon Center’s extensive collection of Mimikyu merchandise to bring this Pokémon home and make it feel a little less lonesome!
Aether Paradise
A high-tech, man-made island floats out in the open sea, housing lush gardens, research laboratories, and a whole lot of familial drama. This is Aether Paradise—a Pokémon sanctuary and research facility built and operated by the Aether Foundation.
In your travels through Alola, you discover that the Aether Foundation conducted genetic experiments in an attempt to create a Pokémon that represents all 18 Pokémon types—Type: Full. The experiment ultimately fails, instead creating Type: Null.
Against the wishes of his mother and the president of the Aether Foundation, Lusamine, your rival Gladion frees Type: Null from the Foundation’s secret lab and runs away from home. The immense love he shows the Pokémon allows it to harness its full potential and evolve into Silvally.
Just like her older brother, your friend Lillie ran away from her home at the Aether Foundation with the childish and carefree Nebby, a Cosmog, to save it from similar experimentation.
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Lillie’s close relationship with Nebby and estrangement from her mother Lusamine is the focus of the Pokémon Evolutions episode “The Eclipse.” To save her mother from the menacing Necrozma, Lillie harnesses her courage and helps her friend Nebby evolve into the Legendary Pokémon Lunala. It’s a beautifully animated, action-packed episode that brings the drama and determination of this Alolan family to life.
The Pokémon TCG:Sun & Moon Series introduced iconic TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX, and in Sun & Moon—Cosmic Eclipse, the TAG TEAM of Solgaleo & Lunala-GX works in harmony with the Trainer card Lillie’s Full Force, further demonstrating the deep bond between Lillie and her beloved Nebby.
Although not a TAG TEAM, Gladion and his Silvally can also be found in this expansion, having a sweet snuggle in the sunshine. Even if Lillie and Gladion are at odds, one thing is certain—they both truly adore their Pokémon friends.
Mount Lanakila
Need a break from the hot tropical sun? Scale to the summit of Mount Lanakila, Alola’s roughest and coldest mountain. The climate here is unlike anywhere else in Alola, with a blanket of perpetual snow leading some Pokémon to develop in unique ways.
This is where you can encounter Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Sandshrew—adorable Ice-type regional forms of Vulpix and Sandshrew! If you have an Ice Stone handy, you can evolve these Pokémon into the spiky Alolan Sandslash and the regal Alolan Ninetales.
This mountain is perhaps best known as home to Alola’s Victory Road and Pokémon League, which become available after you complete all your island challenge trials. After many hard-fought battles alongside your beloved first partner Pokémon, you can finally take on the Elite Four and claim your title as Champion.
Mount Lanakila is also where the Pokémon Adventures: Sun & Moon arc comes to an exciting conclusion. Due to the Aether Foundation’s discovery of and research into Ultra Wormholes—rifts that connect Alola to the interdimensional realm of Ultra Space—Ultra Beasts were unleashed into the world. The rifts also bring forth Necrozma, a Pokémon that wreaks havoc on our heroes and seeks to steal the light from Alola.
Necrozma is finally captured at the summit of Mount Lanakila, putting an end to a long and arduous battle. With the threat handled, the Ultra Beasts retreat into the rift in the sky, bringing peace to the people and Pokémon of Alola.
Similarly, after tough battles in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, you can encounter the weakened Necrozma in a crater on Mount Lanakila, giving you the opportunity to share the light of your Z-Power Ring with the Prism Pokémon and make it one of your allies.
This powerful Pokémon has multiple forms—including a plush form! You can bring Necrozma home with you by snagging a supercool plush from Pokémon Center.
Exeggutor Island
If you’re a big fan of Alolan regional forms, then a trip to Exeggutor Island is an absolute must. Sitting off the coast of Poni Island, this tiny island—which is shaped like an Alolan Exeggutor—is designated as a special reserve. As you might expect, it’s filled to the brim with Exeggcute and Alolan Exeggutor!
Alolan Exeggutor is the pride of the Alolan people, believed to be the way an Exeggutor is meant to look. This Pokémon is equally beloved in the Pokémon Trading Card Game and was depicted on numerous cards throughout the Sun & Moon Series, including as an iconic and powerful TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX with Rowlet in the Sun & Moon—Unified Minds expansion. See if you can spot the tiny-yet-mighty Rowlet in this card art!
When you stop by the island, be sure to bring an umbrella, because the rainfall is pretty intense. But if you stick around after the showers, you might just catch a perfect rainbow spreading across the bright blue skies.
Commemorate your travels to this beautiful island with the Explore Pokémon Alola collection, currently available at Pokémon Center.
We hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane through the Alola region, Trainers! The Pokémon world has so much beauty and intrigue to offer, so be sure to check out the full Explore Pokémon line at the Pokémon Center to rep your favorite region.
