Route 1 is weird. Most people remember it as that long, slightly hand-holdy stretch where Professor Kukui teaches you how to catch a Pokemon for the fiftieth time in your life. But if you actually stop and look at the layout of Pokemon Sun Route 1, it’s arguably one of the most complex "first routes" Game Freak ever designed. It isn't just a straight line from Point A to Point B. It’s a sprawling, three-part ecosystem that connects your house, Iki Town, and the Kukui Research Lab, featuring some surprisingly low encounter rates for rare monsters that most players skip entirely because they’re rushing to get to the first Trial.
Think about it.
In Red and Blue, Route 1 was a patch of grass with Pidgey and Rattata. That was it. In Alola, Route 1 is practically a mini-region. You have the main path, the outskirts leading to the beachfront, and then the gated-off Hau’oli Outskirts. It’s messy. It’s dense. And if you’re trying to complete a Pokedex or run a Nuzlocke, it’s a total nightmare of encounter table management.
The Three Faces of Pokemon Sun Route 1
Most players don't realize that the game treats different sections of this area as the same "Route 1" for the sake of your save file, but the available Pokemon change depending on where exactly you’re standing. You’ve got the primary path that takes you from your home up to Iki Town. This is where you find your standard early-game fare: Pikipek, Yungoos (if you're playing during the day), and Alolan Rattata (at night).
But then there's the greenery near the Research Lab.
This is the Hau’oli Outskirts. Technically, the game still calls this Pokemon Sun Route 1. However, the encounter table here is a different beast. This is the only place early on where you can snag a Slowpoke or a Wingull. If you're playing the original Sun and Moon versions rather than the Ultra sequels, your strategy here matters because Slowbro is a legitimate tank for the mid-game.
That Infamous Munchlax and Pichu Grind
Let’s talk about the 5% problem.
In the patches of grass right near your house—literally steps from your mom’s front door—there is a very small chance to find Pichu. It’s rare. We’re talking "running in circles for twenty minutes" rare. Even more elusive is Munchlax, which shows up in certain patches with a similarly frustrating encounter rate. Most casual players will breeze through here and think the route is just full of birds and mongooses. They’re wrong.
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The inclusion of Munchlax here was a huge nod to veteran players. In older games, getting a Munchlax was a chore involving Honey Trees and a lot of waiting. Putting it on the very first route of the game was Game Freak's way of saying Alola was going to be different. It’s a powerful Pokemon to have early on, especially with its massive HP pool and the Snorlium Z crystal that eventually becomes available.
Hidden Mechanics and the Day-Night Cycle
Alola introduced a heavy emphasis on the time of day, and Route 1 is the first place you actually feel the impact of the 12-hour shift between Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon. If you’re playing Sun, the sun is out when your 3DS clock says it’s daytime. Pretty simple. But the Pokemon you find on Pokemon Sun Route 1 are strictly tied to that light.
During the day, Yungoos is everywhere. It’s that long, angry-looking weasel that basically defines the early game of Sun. But the second the sun sets, they disappear. They’re replaced by Alolan Rattata. This isn't just cosmetic; it changes the typing of your early-game encounters. Alolan Rattata is Dark/Normal, which makes it vulnerable to Fighting-type moves but gives it a niche against the Psychic types you might run into later.
The SOS Battle Trap
One of the most polarizing mechanics in Alola was the SOS system. On Route 1, this doesn't happen immediately—you have to pass the first Trial first—but once it’s active, the route transforms. You can't just catch a Caterpie and move on. That Caterpie might call for help. Suddenly, you’re facing a Butterfree or even a Bonsly calling for a Sudowoodo.
It’s chaotic.
It also makes "shiny hunting" on Route 1 possible very early in the game. Experienced players often come back to these weak patches of grass specifically to chain encounters. Because the levels are so low (usually between Level 2 and Level 5), you can stay in a battle indefinitely as long as you have enough Leppa Berries or Adrenaline Orbs. It’s the easiest place to learn the mechanic, even if it feels like a chore at first.
Items You Probably Walked Right Past
We all do it. We see the sparkle on the ground, we think "it’s just a Potion," and we keep running toward the story beat. But Route 1 has a few specific pickups that actually matter for the early economy of the game.
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- The Antidote: Tucked behind a tree near the entrance to Iki Town. Essential because Caterpie and Weedle (in some versions) love to poison your starter.
- The Poke Balls: Kukui gives you some, but there are extras hidden in the tall grass patches that can save you a trip to the Poke Mart when you're trying to catch that 5% Pichu.
- The Nuggets and Big Pearls: Later in the game, once you have the Tauros Charge or Lapras Paddle, you can access areas of the Route 1 coastline that contain high-value sellables.
The geography of Pokemon Sun Route 1 is designed to be revisited. It’s not a "one and done" location. You’ll come back with Ride Pokemon to smash rocks and reach the hidden hollows that were teased in the first ten minutes of gameplay.
Why Route 1 is a Masterclass in World Building
Pokemon games usually start in a tiny town with two houses. Alola feels like a lived-in place. Your house isn't just a starting point; it's part of a neighborhood. The fact that Route 1 wraps around the Professor’s lab and leads into a major city (Hau’oli) makes the world feel interconnected.
You see NPCs who aren't just trainers waiting to fight you. There are people just enjoying the beach. There are kids playing with their Pokemon. It sets the tone for the entire "Island Challenge" vibe. You aren't just a kid going to gyms; you're a part of a community.
Honestly, the dialogue can be a bit much. Everyone knows the memes about Lillie and Nebby. But if you ignore the cutscenes and just look at the environmental design, Route 1 is doing a lot of heavy lifting. It teaches you about height elevation, tall grass variations, and how to interact with the environment before the game ever lets go of your hand.
Strategic Tips for Your Next Playthrough
If you’re starting a new save or jumping into a Nuzlocke challenge, Route 1 is where you win or lose the early game. Don't waste your first encounter on the first patch of grass.
Wait.
Walk past the first few patches until you get to the "optional" areas. If you can snag a Grubbin, do it. Vikavolt is one of the best Electric types in the game, even if it evolves late. If you manage to find a Bonsly in the rocks, keep it. Rock-type coverage is incredibly helpful against the early-game bird trainers and the first few Totem Pokemon.
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Also, pay attention to the Berries. There is a berry tree on Route 1 that drops Oran Berries. In the early game, an Oran Berry is basically a free Potion. If you’re playing on "Set" mode or doing a challenge run, those berries are the difference between keeping your starter alive and a "Game Over" screen before you even reach the first Pokemon Center.
The Secret "Ledge" Strategy
There’s a ledge near the top of the route that allows you to bypass several trainers if you’re trying to rush back to the Pokemon Center. However, if you’re looking to maximize your experience points (XP), you should avoid the ledges and fight every youngster and preschooler on the path.
The XP curve in Pokemon Sun is famously steep.
If you arrive at the festival in Iki Town and your starter is only Level 7, you’re going to have a rough time with the first "rival" battle against Hau. Grinding on Route 1 isn't fun, but it's efficient. The wild Pokemon levels are low, but the density of the grass means you can trigger encounters every few steps.
Final Thoughts on Alola’s Starting Path
Pokemon Sun Route 1 is more than a tutorial. It’s a microcosm of everything that makes Gen 7 unique—the day/night shifts, the rare encounter slots, the SOS mechanic, and the dense, vertical map design. It’s easy to dismiss it as the "boring part" of the game, but for players who know where to look, it’s where the foundation of a championship team is built.
Whether you're hunting for a shiny, looking for a Munchlax, or just trying to survive a Nuzlocke, respect the route. It has more layers than you think.
Next Steps for Your Alola Journey:
- Check the Clock: Ensure your 3DS time is set correctly so you get the version-exclusive encounters you actually want (Yungoos vs. Rattata).
- Clear the Outskirts: Don't head straight to Iki Town. Go south to the Hau’oli Outskirts first to pick up the extra items and see the different Pokemon available by the shore.
- Save Your Poke Balls: Don't throw them at the first thing you see. Wait for a 5% encounter like Pichu or Grubbin to make your early-game team significantly stronger.
- Interact with Every NPC: Many of the characters on Route 1 give you tips about type advantages that are actually relevant to the upcoming Trial of Ilima.