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
Beautiful vintage Japanese manhole covers being offered for sale by Aichi city【Photos】
Two teen boys in Japan arrested for vandalizing Love Live! anime manhole cover
Japan’s new manhole cover T-shirts let you show off your local prefectural pride
Saitama Prefecture scores its first Pokémon manhole covers in Tokorozawa City
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Real Buddhist monk plays Super Mario Bros., recites prayers every time he kills an enemy【Video】
New Japanese convenience store sandwiches feel like they’re out to kill us
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
A Silent Voice, anime film about bullied deaf girl, has an emotional new trailer【Video】
Japanese convenience store fools us with its 40-percent-more sandwich, but in a good way
The Ultimate Battle for Ham Sandwich Supremacy – we rank Japan’s convenience store sandwiches
7-Eleven Japan’s “Paper Tiger” sandwich sparks online controversy over deceptive packaging
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Pokémon manhole covers are taking over streets in Japan!
New Pokémon manhole covers starring Chansey are set to bring good luck to Fukushima
Pokémon manhole covers come to Fukuoka with eight species appearing in Kitakyushu
Japan’s Pokémon manhole covers travel to you in new line of mugs, replicas, and other merch【Pics】
“Manhole Cards,” Japan’s new collectible card game craze features artistic sewer covers
Five new Pokémon manhole covers arrive in Tottori Prefecture, now with one in every municipality
Pokémon manhole covers make their debut in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture
Osaka finally gets its own Pokémon manhole covers with team of Electric/Steel-types
Evangelion, Spice and Wolf LED manhole covers installed in otaku-friendly neighborhood in Japan
Awesome new Gundam manhole covers coming to Japanese prefecture for first time
Pokémon come to real-life Johto region with new Pokémon manhole covers for Nara【Pics】
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to Japan’s snowy Hokkaido Prefecture!
Pokémon manhole covers spreading with eight new Pokéfuta in Miyazaki
Gundam manhole covers coming to Sagamihara City, along with other space-themed street art
Fun’s over—Japanese city removes anime girl manhole covers after repeated vandalism
Brand-new Pikachu manhole covers coming to Japanese city to celebrate Pokémon World Championships
Leave a Reply