Manhole Covers Art of Japan

Japan is well known around the world for its eclectic and unique culture. Perhaps unknown to many, Japan has a very unique culture surrounding its manhole covers. Much like the United States treats stamps, Japanese manhole covers represent significant cultural aspects throughout Japan. Nearly 95% of Japan’s 1,718 municipalities have their own unique manhole covers. Osaka alone has 180,000 manhole covers with 10% featuring designs; 1,900 of them are painted.

How Did This Begin? In the late 1970’s, Japan faced the costly task of updating its sewage infrastructure. In an effort to generate more interest and excitement in updating the system, the local governments began a trend of creating uniquely designed manhole covers. The campaign was wildly successful, as residents and tourists fell in love with these unique covers, bringing even more popularity and conversation to their cities.

The first of these artistic manhole covers appeared in Japan in 1977 in Nagaya, Japan. It depicted a happy fish in water cleaned by the sewer system. As interest in designer covers grew, the first painted cover appeared in 1981. It snowballed from there into a phenomenon, boosting domestic tourism. Today, manhole enthusiasts known as “manholers” travel the country, scouring the ground to catch a glimpse of these unique creations. There is even a Japanese Society of Manhole Lovers and a trading card game! One such card features Fuji City at the base of Mt. Fuji, which draws tourists from all around who clamor for the trading card depicting the manhole. Today, more than 6,000 different designs can be found across Japan.

We are happy to see that some companies and municipalities in the United States have taken notice of the manholers trend! Wouldn’t you like to see more custom art designed manhole cover statement pieces incorporated at sports stadiums, tourist spots, and city sidewalks for the public to enjoy? As manhole hunting popularity grows worldwide, we can’t help but wonder where we might see unique custom art designed manhole covers pop up next. Some cities like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle have started to add some bling to their sidewalks. Will the trend continue? Only time will tell! So, keep an eye out and don’t forget to look down, and watch out for the art under your feet!

If you’re interested in creating a unique custom cover to replace an existing manhole cover to jazz up your space, you’re in the right place! Here at Manhole Covers Direct, we offer custom one-off art design manhole covers to fit virtually any space or application. We also offer a variety of powder-coating colors and would be happy to create any unique design you have in mind. Reach out to us to and let’s get started!