Another trip to Japan, another visit to Tokyo? Or Osaka? Of course, they're great. But after a few visits, a thought might suddenly strike you: Where is the real Japan? You might want to see a more intimate side, beyond the bustling Shibuya crossing or the dazzling neon signs.
I felt the same way. So, instead of a flight ticket to a crowded metropolis, I boarded a train to a small city with an unfamiliar name. Watching the rice fields and low-slung roofs flash by outside the rattling train window, I realized, 'Ah, I've been sticking to too many predefined routes.' And what I discovered there were things that would never appear on the first page of a travel guide – tiny, strange, and all the more lovable for it. That was the real face of traveling in Japan's small cities.
Art Hidden Beneath Your Feet: The Secret of Manhole Covers
Honestly, who looks at the ground when they travel? I always kept my head up, searching for magnificent buildings or signs. That was until I traveled to Japan's small cities.
Walking down a quiet shopping street alley, I happened to glance down, and lo and behold. On a manhole cover, which should have been just a piece of iron, was an adorable illustration of yuzu, a local specialty. At that moment, it felt like I'd been hit over the head. Was that when my 'manhole cover quest' began? Japan is truly a country serious about its manholes. Every city, even small villages, has unique manhole cover designs that reflect their identity. Local castles, flowers, festivals, specialty products, and even anime characters. It's like they've embedded the city's business card right into the street.
There are over 12,000 designs across Japan. There's even a fan base called 'manholers' who collect them. Some regions even give out 'manhole cards,' like photo cards, for free at specific locations. Many people intentionally visit these towns just to collect them. For more details, you can check the official website of Japan's 'GKP (Sewerage Public Relations Platform)' (https://www.gk-p.jp/), so if you're confident in Japanese, give it a try. Isn't it amazing how much story a single manhole cover can hold?
Why the Obsession with Manholes?
In the 1980s, the idea of 'beautifying manhole covers' emerged to help residents understand the expensive and often unseen sewerage projects. This idea spread nationwide, leading to the culture we see today.
Manhole Card (マンホールカード)
A collectible card featuring a photo of an actual manhole cover, its design origin, and GPS coordinates. It can be obtained for free, one per person, at designated distribution points (government offices, tourist information centers, etc.), adding a small joy to your travels.
No Convenience Stores? This is What You'll Find: Bizarre Vending Machines
Everyone knows Japan is the 'land of vending machines.' But if you're only thinking of the typical drink machines found in big cities, your imagination might be shattered in a small town.
I was traveling through a quiet village in Shikoku. It was late in the evening, and I was incredibly thirsty. There wasn't a single convenience store or even a lit-up shop around. Despondent, I walked on until I spotted a faint light at a street corner. It was a vending machine, appearing like a savior. But as I got closer, to my astonishment, it wasn't selling cola or soda, but 'dashi,' Japanese soup stock. And in two varieties: hot and cold. I laughed for a long time in disbelief, then out of curiosity, I bought a hot bottle. The warm broth on a cold night was incredibly delicious. In that moment, I felt Japan's unique practicality and witwith my whole body.
Vending machines in small towns were more than just convenient; they were the very fabric of local life. Like small shops that cater to residents' needs in places without 24-hour stores. Vending machines selling freshly laid eggs, hot meals like udon or ramen, local produce, or sake. These are sights unimaginable in big cities. Discovering such bizarre vending machines is one of the unpredictable joys that small-city travel offers.
Conclusion: How to Meet the Real Japan
Of course, glittering shopping centers and famous tourist spots are also part of Japan. But the real Japan was hidden in all those processes: struggling to find a coin locker at a train station, rushing to catch a bus that only runs a few times a day, and using gestures and broken English to ask for directions when no one speaks English. Reading the pride of a city on a manhole cover, and glimpsing local life through an eccentric vending machine. These small discoveries come together to complete your own special travel map.
If you're planning your next trip to Japan, try forgetting the famous names for a moment. Instead, open your map app and randomly pick a small city. It might be a little inconvenient or quiet, but there will surely be unexpected fun and real stories waiting for you.
Practical Tips for Travelers
Traveling to small cities requires different preparation than big cities. Based on my experience, here are a few tips. First, checking transportation schedulesis essential. Trains and buses often run only a few times a day, so it's a good idea to plan your entire itinerary in advance using Google Maps or a Japanese transit app. Also, bring plenty of cash. Many small restaurants and shops don't accept card payments. A coin purse can also be useful. Small stations often don't have coin lockers, so it's best to pack light or leave your luggage at your accommodation. Finally, since English isn't widely spoken in many places, be sure to install a translation app like Papago or Google Translate. The photo translation feature is especially useful for reading menus.