Summary
In Japan, a charming Growlithe train is covered in Pokemon-themed decorations inside and out.
The Okinawa Prefecture received Growlithe as its representative Pokemon to boost tourism.
Growlithe isn’t the only Pokemon celebrated in Japan, with Oshawott trains and other tie-ins across different prefectures.
A Pokemon fan has spotted an incredible Growlithe train that’s covered in representations of the Pokemon both inside and out. The train would be a charming sight for any fans of the Gen 1 Pokemon, but for those who can’t see it in-person, this Pokemon fan’s detailed photography is the next-best thing.
Since Pokemon originated in Japan, it’s not surprising that the country has plenty of Pokemon partnerships. Pokemon cafes, manhole covers, planes, and other trains have all featured Pokemon over the years, making them memorable for residents and visitors alike.
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Now, Reddit user Iovefries has shared the incredible Growlithe train they spotted in real-life and were lucky enough to explore. The outside of the train is absolutely covered in cute pictures of Growlithe, as well as flowers and Poke Balls. That would be more than enough to make the Pokemon train eye-catching and memorable, but the interior is also completely decorated with Growlithe designs. The doors, banners, walls, and even the handrail rings are dotted with illustrations of Growlithe. The train is quite adorable, and a number of fans have shared their envy of Iovefries at getting to see it in-person.
Why is There a Growlithe Train in Japan?
While Pokemon trains have been around in the past, this particular one chose Growlithe to be its representative for a good reason. Back in 2024, The Pokemon Company signed a partnership agreement with the Okinawa Prefecture, becoming the eleventh such collaboration. Okinawa was granted Growlithe as a “support Pokemon” to excite travelers and inspire tourism to the region. Over all the possible Pokemon in the series, Growlithe was chosen due to its similarities to an iconic folklore creature called a Shisa. Imagery of Shisa can be found all over Okinawa, as they’re seen as good luck. Shisa are similar to Chinese guardian lions, depicted as a cross between a lion and a dog, and bear a similarity to how Growlithe looks, making it a perfect pick.
While Growlithe is perfect for Okinawa, Growlithe’s train isn’t the only thing celebrating the Pokemon in the Okinawa Prefecture right now. There are also four buses sporting imagery of the Pokemon, and there are numerous promotional products celebrating Growlithe and Okinawa available to buy as souvenirs. Outside of Okinawa, there are also ongoing Pokemon promotional tie-ins with prefectures across Japan. For example, an Oshawott-themed express train began service in February 2025. Oshawott is the support Pokemon of the Mie Prefecture in Japan, which the train runs through. Oshawott was chosen due to being a Water-type Pokemon with a shell on its belly, which brought to mind the Mie Prefecture’s access to shellfish and oysters.
