In most countries, you’d never give a manhole cover a second glance. But in Japan, the designs on those metal disks encircled by cement are surprisingly ornate. Most are so beautiful, you’ll have to be careful not to spend the entire day looking at the ground. Now people all over the world can enjoy Japan’s stompable artwork thanks to Hirake! Manhole, a brand new website showcasing manhole cover art across Japan.
The site opened a few days ago on February 1 and not only includes photos of manhole covers, but articles and information too. Visitors of the site can even upload their own photos, making Hirake! Manhole an expanding archive. The site also includes the location of each manhole cover, allowing anyone interested to check out these works of art in person. Let’s take a look at just a few!
▼ Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
▼ Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture
▼ Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture
▼ Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture
▼ Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
▼ Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture
Not all manhole covers in Japan have color, but even the all-metal ones are beautiful.
▼ Meguro Ward, Tokyo
▼ Ayase City, Kanagawa Prefecture
▼ Dazaifu City, Fukuoka-ken
▼ Higashikurume, Tokyo
▼ Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Now back to the colored ones!
▼ Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture
▼ Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture
▼ Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture
There’s more where that came from! Head on over to Hirake! Manhole and view six pages of uncommonly beautiful manhole covers from all over Japan.
Source: NetLab
Images: Hirake! Manhole
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