
Can’t make a pilgrimage to see your favorite Pokémon? You can now enjoy Pokéfuta in the comfort of your own home.
Pokémon is extremely varied, as far as multi-media franchises go. It’s not only a video game and anime series, but a manhole cover one too.
Through the Pokéfuta project, colorful manhole covers decorated with Pokémon characters have been installed at select locations in a number of towns across Japan. Often found in less-traveled areas of the country, they help brighten the days of locals and bring in visitors who might have otherwise overlooked the destination.
Of course, these days there’s not a whole lot of traveling going on, so now it’s time for the Pokémon manholes to make their way to fans’ homes instead.
Novelty goods chain Village Vanguard is offering a line of Pokéfuta merchandise, with the prestige items being miniature metal replicas of six of the manhole covers: the Pikachu couple cover from Yokohama, Miyako’s Geodude, Takamatsu’s Slowpoke, Ibusuk’s Eevee, Sendai’s Lapras, and Wakkanai’s Alola Vulpix and Ninetales. Each is nine centimeters (3.5 inches) in diameter and priced at 6,600 yen (US$62).
If you’re looking for something more affordably priced, and also practical, though, the Pokéfuta coffee mugs are the way to go.
The mug itself features the manhole cover design in monochrome as well as a map showing the Japanese prefecture and town where the actual cover is installed. You also get a rubber cover, which should also work as a coaster.
▼ The mug/cover sets are all 1,980 yen.
But as Pokéfuta scholars know, each Pokémon species in the project has multiple manhole cover designs scattered about their representative parts of Japan. For those seeking maximum variety, there’s an array of rubber key chains featuring the complete Pokéfuta lineups for Kagawa Prefecture’s Slowpoke, Kagoshima’s Eevee evolution family, Hokkaido’s Vulpix, Miyagi’s Lapras, and Iwate’s Geodude.
▼ Each keychain is priced at 715 yen, and while you can choose the prefecture you want, the exact Pokémon you’ll encounter is random, just like in early installments of the games.
The entire line of Pokéfuta merch is available through Village Vanguard’s online shop here.
Source, images: Village Vanguard
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s proud to have Pikachu manhole covers in his town.








Collect ’em all! New Pokéfuta accessories now available at Village Vanguard
Eight new Pokémon manhole covers featuring Vulpix spawn in snowy Hokkaido Prefecture
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to Japan’s snowy Hokkaido Prefecture!
Pokémon manhole covers make their debut in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture
Getting tired of Pokémon Go? Maybe visiting the Pokémon manhole covers will reignite your passion
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
Family Mart’s new Gyoza Dog proves Japanese convenience store food hits different
New research reveals that the key to efficient memorization may be in exhaling
Japan’s Pokémon Slowpoke Train goes on hiatus, but a mini version could be yours to own
Sizzling on a hot plate?! American sushi rolls break all the rules at this Japanese restaurant
Reinvented traditional Japanese hearths may be coming to a restaurant near you
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
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
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Pokémon manhole covers spreading with eight new Pokéfuta in Miyazaki
Five new Pokémon manhole covers arrive in Tottori Prefecture, now with one in every municipality
Pokémon come to real-life Johto region with new Pokémon manhole covers for Nara【Pics】
Finally! First-ever Pokémon manhole covers installed in downtown Tokyo
Pokémon manhole covers come to Fukuoka with eight species appearing in Kitakyushu
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers have Sandshrew welcoming you to an often forgotten part of Japan
New Pokémon manhole covers starring Chansey are set to bring good luck to Fukushima
Seven new Pokémon-themed manhole covers featuring Vulpix make their debut in Hokkaido this summer
Kinki Gyarados! Japan’s central region gets its first Pokémon manhole covers
Pokémon manhole covers finally come to Tokyo with awesome Gen-1 designs【Photos】
Osaka finally gets its own Pokémon manhole covers with team of Electric/Steel-types
Pathetically weak Magikarp shown love with Pokémon manhole covers in birthplace of koi culture
Pikachu/Game Boy manhole cover installed at Nintendo Museum, not viewable by general public
Two new Pokémon parks coming to Oshawott’s prefecture, plus new Pokémon manhole covers【Video】
Okayama prefecture to receive its first Pokémon-themed manhole covers【Pics】
Mew makes Pokémon manhole project debut in the most crazy-remote part of Tokyo there is