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
Japan’s new manhole cover T-shirts let you show off your local prefectural pride
Beautiful vintage Japanese manhole covers being offered for sale by Aichi city【Photos】
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
Pokémon manhole covers are taking over streets in Japan!
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
The mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
Elderly couple donates 400 million yen to erect Myaku-Myaku statue in Osaka
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
Lawson convenience store opens its first mobile, trailer-style location in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Mister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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
Two teen boys in Japan arrested for vandalizing Love Live! anime manhole cover
Five new Pokémon manhole covers arrive in Tottori Prefecture, now with one in every municipality
“Manhole Cards,” Japan’s new collectible card game craze features artistic sewer covers
Osaka finally gets its own Pokémon manhole covers with team of Electric/Steel-types
Pokémon manhole covers make their debut in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture
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
Fun’s over—Japanese city removes anime girl manhole covers after repeated vandalism
Eight new Pokémon manhole covers featuring Vulpix spawn in snowy Hokkaido Prefecture
Japan’s Pokémon manhole covers travel to you in new line of mugs, replicas, and other merch【Pics】
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers have Sandshrew welcoming you to an often forgotten part of Japan
Gundam manhole covers coming to Sagamihara City, along with other space-themed street art