Kanto is the first region explored in the main Pokémon games.
Pokémon Red and Green, followed internationally by Pokémon Red and Blue, take place in the fictional Kanto region. Players travel through Kanto, challenge eight Gym Leaders, battle the Elite Four, and pursue the goal of becoming Pokémon League Champion.
Kanto contains the original towns and cities associated with the first generation, including Pallet Town, Viridian City, Pewter City, Cerulean City, and Saffron City. It also contains locations such as the Safari Zone and Victory Road.
Kanto is based partly on the real Kantō region of Japan, although the game’s geography and landmarks are fictionalized. Johto became the second main-series region in Pokémon Gold and Silver, while Hoenn and Sinnoh followed in later generations. This ordering makes Kanto the canonical first region, not Johto, despite Johto’s close connection to it.