Japan’s Manhole Culture Is Seriously Underground Cool – A Hidden History Beneath Your Feet
A 60cm Canvas of Art Beneath Every Step
Look down as you walk, and you might spot a colorful, intricate circle embedded in the pavement.
That’s Japan’s manhole cover—an everyday object that’s quietly capturing attention worldwide.
At first glance, it's just a lid made of metal. But inside that 60cm-wide circle lies an astonishing world of stories.
In this article, RAW JAPAN dives headfirst into the fascinating “underfoot culture” of Japanese manholes.
Wooden Lids?! The Surprisingly Humble Origins of Japanese Manholes
In 1884, Japan’s first cast-iron manhole cover was installed in Kanda, Tokyo—marking the beginning of the country’s “age of iron.” Circular lids didn’t become the norm until the late Meiji to early Taisho period, evolving based on Western technologies, especially those from Britain.
By the prewar period, Japanese-made manhole covers were even exported and installed in former colonies such as Taiwan, Manchuria, and Dalian—spreading the country’s technology abroad.
Tokyo Type, Nagoya Type – A Family Tree of Manhole Patterns
The patterns on manhole covers? They have bloodlines.
In the Taisho era, a Tokyo City engineer named Eiji Nakajima designed geometric manhole patterns that would become known as the “Tokyo Type.” His designs were so influential that they were eventually adopted into the official JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). And thanks to his students who went on to work across the country, the design spread nationwide.
Meanwhile, Nagoya’s “Nagoya Type” was created by another engineer, Chujiro Moniwa, and followed a different visual style entirely.
By the Showa era, cities like Osaka and Kobe were designing their own unique patterns, and even manhole manufacturers began releasing original motifs. The result? A nationwide arms race of identity, where each city’s manholes became like “family crests” embedded in the streets.
Tokyo-style manhole cover | Nagoya-style manhole cover |
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Where Master Craftsmanship Meets Molten Metal
“It's just an iron lid, right?”
Not quite.
Japanese manhole covers begin with recycled iron—around 70% of the material is reused, making them surprisingly eco-conscious. The molten iron is blended with magnesium and sulfur to form ductile cast iron, a tougher, more flexible material perfect for heavy-duty covers.
That liquid metal is then poured into one of thousands of molds to form the covers. Mass-produced ones go through automated lines, but for large custom orders or oversized covers? It’s still all done by hand.
Pouring molten iron is no joke. The temperature, volume, and speed must be precisely judged by a craftsman’s experience and instinct. Just a 0.2mm misalignment can cause malfunction. The edge angles are also fine-tuned to the millimeter to ensure the lid fits perfectly into the frame.
This is ironwork at its most precise. And no two lids are truly the same.
From Infrastructure to Art – The Rise of Local Design Manholes
Manholes are infrastructure.
And yet somehow, in Japan, they’ve become… art?
This curious transformation began in the 1980s with a clever twist.
After Japan’s postwar economic boom, sewer systems were being built across the country. But the Ministry of Construction had a problem: “Sewers are boring, expensive, and no one pays attention…” So they flipped the script—with the idea: “What if we just made the covers flashy?”
In 1986, a national competition was launched to find standout manhole cover designs. The following year, a photo book titled “The Expressions of Manholes” was published. Municipalities began competing with one another, creating original designs featuring local landmarks, flowers, wildlife, festivals—even legends. Suddenly, manholes became canvases for regional pride.
Today, over 95% of Japan’s 1,780 cities, towns, and villages have their own custom-designed manhole covers.
That’s more than 6,000 unique designs—and nowhere else in the world has such manhole density.
Some are created by city officials. Others come from public contests, manufacturer proposals, or professional illustrators. Many now feature art at gallery-level quality. But good looks alone won’t cut it—every design must also pass strict technical tests for anti-slip grip, abrasion resistance, and more.
And here’s the kicker: even the most detailed designs are made not by painting—but by casting molten iron into precision molds.
Yes, it’s all done with traditional ironwork techniques, down to every curve and contour.
This “visible infrastructure” mindset has since expanded into collaborations with pop culture, and even sparked a nationwide manhole card collecting boom.
Your Favorite Characters... On the Street?!
In recent years, cities across Japan have been teaming up with beloved characters to create “collab manholes.”
One day your favorite anime hero shows up in your neighborhood. The next, you’re walking through a quiet town and—bam!—Gundam is under your feet.
Here are just a few wild examples:
Versailles no Bara in Kashiwa City
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Kashiwa City, three manhole covers featuring The Rose of Versailles manga were installed throughout the area.
Gundam in Matsue City
Part of the “Gundam Manhole Project,” this design shows a Gundam with Matsue Castle and cherry blossoms in the background.
It was donated to the city by the project, and many other municipalities have joined in too.
Official Gundam Manhole Project Website
Rurouni Kenshin in Nagaoka City, Niigata
Himura Kenshin appears gallantly on the streets of his creator’s hometown.
There are two other versions as well—featuring Kaoru Kamiya and the duo Yahiko & Sagara Sanosuke. The set was created to mark 100 years of the city’s sewer system.
City Hunter in Musashino City
This manhole celebrates City Hunter creator Tsukasa Hojo, who lived in Musashino for most of his career.
You can find it near the elephant statue outside Kichijoji Station.
Pokéfuta – The Pokémon Manhole Takeover
With over 378 Pokémon-themed manholes now installed across Japan, the Pokéfuta series is a nationwide obsession.
These official collabs between local governments and the Pokémon franchise are drawing droves of fans—many on full-on "Pokémon pilgrimage" trips.
Related article: Japan Covered in Favorite Pokémon!? Explore the World of Pokémon Local Acts
Many character manholes are tied to the locations where the anime is set or where the creators were born.
For fans, they’re the perfect combo: anime pilgrimage + manhole hunting = the best kind of nerd travel.
These days, the ground beneath your feet? It’s a gallery.
And if you don’t look down… you might miss your ultimate favorite waiting right under your shoes.
Not Just Anime—MLB Stars Are in the Streets Too
Each design was placed in a location connected to the player, to show hometown pride and promote baseball culture across Japan.
Major League Baseball Japan – Official Site
The Manhole Card Craze – Pilgrimage by the Book
Started in 2016, the official “Manhole Card” program turned the manhole trend into a nationwide collecting boom.
These free trading cards are only available on-site at specific locations—making them a physical “proof of visit” for fans and travelers alike.
Each card includes a photo of the lid, GPS coordinates, and background info on the design and region.
As of now, there are over 1,150 different cards, and counting.
Manhole fans—nicknamed manholers—travel the country card in hand, swapping info online, attending meetups, and treating the covers like sacred shrines.
It’s no longer just a utility cover—it’s a full-blown tourism movement.
👉 Click here to see the full Manhole Card catalog (PDF)
When Manholes Become Travel Destinations
Over 378 covers have been installed across Japan, each one featuring a different Pokémon tied to local culture, nature, or products.
Some fans even travel from overseas just to snap photos of specific designs, like the Magikarp manhole in Ojiya City, Niigata.
At this point, they’re not just lids—they’re legit sightseeing spots.
Pokéfuta Official Website (Pokémon Manhole Project)
Yes, You Can Actually Go Inside a Real Sewer!?
Visit Japan’s Manhole Mecca: The Fureai Sewerage Museum
Want to take your manhole obsession to the next level?
Head to the Fureai Sewerage Museum in Kodaira City, Tokyo.
This isn’t your average museum—it goes five floors underground, where visitors can peek into an actual, fully functioning sewer pipe (yes, there’s real wastewater flowing inside).
It’s the only place in Japan where you can see this up close.
Inside, you’ll find everything from manhole cover samples and sewer tech displays to hands-on experiences like lifting a real JIS-standard manhole.
It’s a hit with kids, geeks, and infrastructure nerds alike.
The highlight? A giant 4.5-meter sewer pipe visible through clear acrylic—still active and in use today.
This place truly is the holy ground for any manholer in training.
| Facility | Fureai Sewerage Museum |
| Address | 1-25-31 Kamisuihoncho, Kodaira, Tokyo Google Map |
| Admission | Free |
| Hours | 10:00–16:00 (Last entry 15:30) |
| Closed | Mondays (or next day if holiday), Dec 27–Jan 5 |
| Parking | Available (priority for buses) |
Fureai Sewerage Museum – Official Website
RAW JAPAN’s Takeaway
You thought manhole covers were just lids to the sewer?
Think again.
Beneath that round iron plate lies Japanese engineering, craftsmanship, regional pride, disaster prep—and yes, even art.
Some call it a “60cm-wide microcosm.”
And once you fall into this world, you may never walk the streets the same way again.
Next time you’re exploring Japan, shift your gaze downward.
You might just discover a whole new kind of travel—right beneath your feet.
Sources: Japan Ground Manhole Association / nippon.com / Excite News / Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism / TBS NEWS DIG and others
Obsessed with Japan’s quirks, and a father of two. I hunt for those subtle, “wait, what?” moments that hide in everyday life.