Goldenrod City
Goldenrod City Guide
Goldenrod City is Johto's big bright capital of errands: shops, games, radio, underground passages, Whitney's Gym, a Bike Shop, and a train station all crowd into one map.
Take in the city
Goldenrod is the first place in Johto that feels like a real city. The signs sell it perfectly: a Department Store full of Pokemon goods, a Game Corner called your playground, a Bike Shop, a Name Rater, a Radio Tower, underground entrances, and Whitney's Gym all packed around one huge street grid. Even the people sound a little overwhelmed by it.
Start by walking the outside loop before you dive indoors. The Radio Tower 1F sits on the west side, Goldenrod Dept Store 1F and Goldenrod Bike Shop are down south, Goldenrod Game Corner is near the middle, and the north exit leads toward Route 35.
First sweep
- Visit the Goldenrod Bike Shop and take the BICYCLE. The owner wants you to ride around and advertise for him.
- Stop at Radio Tower 1F for the Radio Card quiz before you forget. It upgrades the Pokegear into a radio.
- Go into Goldenrod Underground for the COIN CASE, hidden ANTIDOTE, PARLYZ HEAL, and SUPER POTION.
- Check the Goldenrod Name Rater if you want nicknames changed, and the Goldenrod Happiness Rater if you are raising friendship.
Rewards and services
The city is worth treating like a shopping trip. The Department Store is your broad item stop, the Game Corner trades coins for prizes like TM14, TM25, and TM38, and the underground has bargain and herb vendors on its open days. After you beat Whitney, return to Goldenrod Flower Shop for the SQUIRTBOTTLE so you can deal with the strange tree on Route 36.
Later, Goldenrod becomes a travel hub too. The Goldenrod Magnet Train Station links to Saffron City after the Kanto-side pass work is solved, and Bill's family house becomes worth checking after Bill returns home.
Battles and trouble
Whitney's Gym is the big local battle stop. The Gym trainers use Normal-type teams, and Whitney gives TM45 after the match once the post-battle crying scene settles. The underground adds extra trainer battles too, including Super Nerds and Pokemaniacs on the normal path.
Goldenrod changes sharply during the Team Rocket takeover. Civilians give way to Rockets around town, the Radio Tower becomes the main story target, and the underground switch rooms open into rival pressure, Rocket fights, locked doors, and the Director rescue. Come back with healing items before you chase that arc, because the city turns from errands into a dungeon chain.
Come back later
Goldenrod rewards repeat visits more than almost any Johto city. Return for the SquirtBottle after Whitney, the Radio Tower takeover, underground hidden items, Department Store shopping, Game Corner prizes, happiness checks, nickname changes, and eventually the Magnet Train. If a side quest feels like it belongs in a city, Goldenrod is usually the first place to look.
First sweep
Bike Shop for Bicycle, Radio Tower quiz, Underground for Coin Case, then Gym when ready.
Key reward
Beat Whitney, then get the SquirtBottle from the Flower Shop for the Route 36 tree.
Watch for
Team Rocket later changes the city, tower, and underground into a connected story dungeon.
Travel Routes
|
Route
|
Destination
|
Landing
|
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Route 34 | — |
| Connection | Route 35 | — |
| Exit | Bill's Familys House | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Bike Shop | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Dept Store 1F | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Flower Shop | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Game Corner | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Gym | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Happiness Rater | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Magnet Train Station | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Name Rater | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Pokecenter 1F | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Underground Switch Room Entrances | — |
| Exit | Goldenrod Underground Switch Room Entrances | — |
| Exit | Outside | — |
| Exit | Radio Tower 1F | — |
| Exit | Route 35 Goldenrod Gate | — |
Location Rules
Things To Know Before You Explore
Use these as quick checks before you talk to people, claim gifts, or try a blocked path.
Come back after meeting Floria
This place changes after that part of the story.
Move the story forward, then come back here.
Come back after beating Elite Four
This place changes after that part of the story.
Move the story forward, then come back here.
Bring Coin Case
You need Coin Case before this can happen.
Keep Coin Case in your Bag before you try this.
Weekday matters
Some things here only happen on certain weekdays.
Try another day if the person or reward is missing.
Come back after finishing daily move tutor
This place changes after that part of the story.
Move the story forward, then come back here.
Have 4000 coins ready
You need at least 4000 coins to do this.
Save up the coins before you try it.
Spend 4000 coins
Choosing this option costs 4000 coins.
Keep that many coins ready if you want the reward.
Facing direction matters
You may need to stand in the right spot and face the right way.
Reposition and face the target before pressing A.
Finish the Radio Tower story
This changes after the Radio Tower trouble is over.
Finish that storyline, then check here again.
Come back after finishing radio card
This place changes after that part of the story.
Move the story forward, then come back here.
Special Events And Services Here
Some spots here can move you, change the area, or trigger a special event or service.
Move Tutor service is here
A Move Tutor can teach a move here.
Bring the right resource and the Pokémon you want to teach.
Map Movement Tips
These clues come from the map tiles, so they are handy when you are planning which moves or paths matter here.
Surf opens water paths here
Water tiles can become paths once you can Surf.
Bring a Surf user after earning Fog Badge if you want every shoreline path.
Wild Encounters
Items And Rewards
|
Item
|
Source
|
Cost
|
|---|---|---|
| No items or rewards are listed for this location. | ||