In any Japanese city you visit, take a look at the ground in front of the station. You'll find colorful Japanese manhole covers. I was truly amazed the first time I saw them. There are Shizuoka manholes with Mt. Fuji, Nara manholes with frolicking deer, and even 'Pokéfuta' engraved with Pokémon characters.
When I asked a Japanese friend, they proudly claimed their hometown's manhole covers were the prettiest. They're not just decorations. As of 2026, there are over 12,000 types of designer manholes across Japan, and they are a key asset for local government branding, intuitively conveying the history, culture, and specialties of each municipality. Let's dig into the story hidden beneath our feet.
Historical Background: Turning Tax Aversion into Art
The history of designer manholes began in the 1980s with Japan's sewerage improvement projects. At the time, the Japanese government planned to spend a huge budget to modernize the sewer system, but citizens were unhappy about large sums of tax money being spent on unseen underground facilities. There were many complaints like, "I can't see where my taxes are going!"
It was then that an official from the Ministry of Construction, a man named Yasutake Kameda, came up with a brilliant idea. He suggested, "Let's make the manhole covers, the only part of the sewer system visible on the surface, beautiful to show that the sewerage project is an effort to improve our town."
The result was a huge success! Local governments began competing to engrave their regional symbols—flowers, trees, legends—onto the manholes. Residents came to see them not as cold iron plates, but as works of art embodying civic pride. The cost to produce one designer manhole, including design and mold creation, is said to be about 600,000 to 1,000,000 yen. Considering the promotional effects and the boost in administrative trust, it's an incredibly profitable venture, isn't it?
0.01mm Engineering: The Precise Fusion of Casting and Resin
Why are Japan's designer manholes recognized as world-class? It's all thanks to the meticulous manufacturing process. It's not just about painting on an iron plate; it requires advanced technology that combines metal casting with special resin.
Anti-Slip Design (Safety Engineering)
Manhole covers are part of the road infrastructure, so it would be a major problem if people or motorcycles slipped on them in the rain. The key technology involves adjusting the height of the patterns in 0.01mm increments to maintain a consistent coefficient of friction on the surface while still achieving a vibrant design.
Hand-Painted Coloring (Manual Craftsmanship)
The process of filling the cast grooves with colored resin is surprisingly done by the hands of skilled artisans. Through meticulous bubble removal and color mixing that machines cannot replicate, they ensure a durable finish that won't fade over time.
Thanks to this level of craftsmanship, Japanese manholes not only withstand the weight of vehicles but have also become a prime example of public design that enhances urban aesthetics.
Manhole Cards: The 6-Million-Card Tourism Revolution
If designer manholes are the hardware, then Manhole Cards are the software that made them a phenomenon! First issued in 2016 by the 'Sewerage PR Platform (GKP),' these cards have now grown into a massive project with over 900 municipalities in Japan participating.
From a marketing perspective, the success of Manhole Cards lies in their effective use of scarcity. The cards can only be obtained by physically visiting a designated location in that specific region; they are never mailed. This "you have to go there to get it" principle is what ignites the passion of collectors.
People who travel from afar to get the cards naturally end up eating at local restaurants and buying local products. In fact, some small towns have experienced the miracle of a tenfold increase in tourists thanks to these cards. The back of the card even includes an explanation of the design and the GPS coordinates of the manhole's location, which has given rise to a culture of 'pilgrimages' where people go to find the actual manhole after receiving the card.
"Manhole covers are no longer just iron plates covering the sewer. They are the key to unlocking a region's treasure map and the humblest greeting a municipality offers its citizens."
A 'Treasure Hunt at Your Feet' with Pglemaps
When you think of a trip to Japan, you usually picture stunning scenery or delicious food. But Pglemaps wants to tell you to lower your gaze and look at your feet. There's a deeper story hidden there than in the more obvious attractions.
Pglemaps's smart route planning tool will seamlessly integrate manhole card distribution points and the locations of the actual designer manholes into your travel itinerary. It transforms the dull travel time between famous tourist spots into an exciting exploration time for finding manhole covers. A journey to discover the charm of local branding hidden in every nook and cranny of narrow alleyways! Isn't it exciting just to imagine?
🗺️ Recommended 'Designer Manhole' Locations Across Japan
Hokuei, Tottori Prefecture The hometown of Detective Conan! The entire town is filled with Conan-themed manholes. Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture Home to Japan's most famous manhole, which captures the magnificence of Mt. Fuji. Nara, Nara Prefecture Enjoy a work of art that blends the symbols of the ancient capital: deer and cherry blossoms.Why There's a Treasure Map at Your Feet
Japanese manhole covers are not just iron plates you walk over. Once you start consciously looking for them, you can't stop. The entire town of Conan is covered in Conan manholes, and the experience of standing on a Mt. Fuji manhole cover while looking at the real Mt. Fuji is quite surreal. If you add the manhole card distribution points and designer manhole locations to your travel route on Pglemaps, your travel time becomes an exploration.
When taking pictures of manholes, be careful not to obstruct traffic, and be cautious on rainy days as the surface can be slippery. Comfortable shoes are a must, and if you're serious about collecting cards, bring an album. Most are accessible on foot, but a rental car is better for outlying areas.