
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
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
Studio Ghibli adds new anime character puppet socks to its merchandise store in Japan
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 4 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from day two of Winter Comiket 2018【Photos】
Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
Plastic surgery clinic in Seoul makes art out of patients’ jaw bones
The best Japanese cosplayers from Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2019【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 3 of Summer Comiket 2019【Photos】
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
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 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】