How road covers changed the consciousness of the Japanese (8 photos)

If you're in Japan, watch your step! For some reason, everyone looks at the houses and architecture, but they don't notice these incredible things - Japanese manhole covers. And yet, it is in Japan that they are more art than in any other country I know.







A traditional firefighter on a manhole in Okayama

They are usually made of wrought iron with a raised pattern, which is then brightly painted, trying to fit into the street or even into the history of the street, which you do not know.

Japanese Manhole Coverers

Yes, there are people in Japan with this hobby. Some collect stamps, while others visit and photograph manhole covers all over the country. It is for this reason that Kyoto has started selling used manhole covers. Where they put them and how they store them is a big mystery to me.





Did you recognize it? Osaka Castle in Osaka!

Because such a manhole cover weighs 90 kilograms, but costs relatively little for its weight - 5,500 yen.

The Great History of Japanese Manholes

The idea for decorative manholes came to an employee of the Ministry of Construction in the late 1970s. The manholes decided to make part of the machi-zukuri, a Japanese art of urban planning, so that everything would be harmonious.

Machizukuri was studied and practiced in small towns before the megalopolis. Machi (town) is best translated as "community" or "shared space", and zukuri means "production" and "nurturing". The idea links urban planning with community building, a pretty profound thought.



A manhole cover with sakura near a sakura viewing area to show people where to best see the beauty

And suddenly, manhole covers became the thread to remind the people of Japan how responsibly they used to create each city. They were not always conscious and threw garbage where it was necessary. But the revival of this concept in such a simple and funny form was incredibly popular with the Japanese.

Today, more than 90% of municipalities have their own distinctive manhole cover designs. The motifs used are often rooted in local history, geography and culture.



Maruko-chan from the anime, near the kindergarten

These can be sakura flowers, landscapes, castles, bridges, birds. And there are very fashionable ones - which are dedicated to sports teams, anime and local mascots. Some have QR codes and augmented reality, sometimes - evacuation plans in case of an earthquake or tsunami.

Is there Pikachu!?



Beautiful, and they don't trample them

Well, of course there are! They are brand new, they were introduced in 2023 in Yokohama. Then the city became the first in Japan to host the annual Pokemon World Championship. In honor of this, other cities in Japan also made one hatch with popular Pokemon, if you travel around the country, you can "collect them all together". Witty, I think!



Haha, this one is my favorite

Manhole collectors save the economy

In fact, replacing worn-out manholes is expensive. Since sewerage is mostly managed by local authorities, taxpayers' money is spent on replacement. And selling old manholes is removing the tax burden from the shoulders of ordinary people.



A manhole near the historic craftsmen's district