From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
The Shinto Ruins (Japanese: シントいせき Shinto Ruins) is a location in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. It is not a part of any known region, but it's entry is found in Johto.
The entrance to the Shinto Ruins is at the Ruins of Alph. Bringing an Arceus from a Nintendo event here will unlock the new area, but this will only occur if the Arceus is currently the player's partner Pokémon and was traded from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Cynthia will be found waiting for the player, and will tell them that Arceus has the ability to create newborn Pokémon. The player will get a choice to obtain only one of either Dialga, Palkia, or Giratina at level 1.
The basis of the name of these ruins is currently considered to have two meanings. Firstly, it may refer to the Japanese religion of Shinto, on which the legend of Dialga, Palkia, and Spear Pillar is based, and also seems to be a combination of シンオウ Shin'ō and ジョウト Jōto, just as Tohjo Falls is a combination of "Kantō" (トー) and "Jōto" (ジョウ). The background music in this area is an arrangement of themes used in and on Mt. Coronet, indicating a possible connection.
Trivia
- The Shinto Ruins are named after the Shinto Religion of Japan - a very traditional religion; and Johto happens to be based on a very traditional section of Japan.
- The Shinto Ruins are outside the range of the map, and therefore technically not part of the Ruins of Alph, or the regions of Johto and Kanto.
Artwork of Arceus creating Palkia in the Shinto Ruins
