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
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
We eat at three Japanese family restaurants to find the one with the best-value breakfast
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Studio Ghibli unveils massive T-shirt collection featuring top anime movie characters
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
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