Welcome to my street-level gallery. Whenever I travel across Japan, I always look down. Why? Because in Japan, even the manhole covers are pieces of art. Here is a random selection from my collection, gathered from various towns and cities. No rules, just beauty found on the ground. Enjoy the walk!　

In Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture. You can observe whales in the sea off Kochi.
In Nara City, Nara Prefecture. The design features the Nara City emblem at the center, along with deer and the city flower, the Nara Yaezakura.
In Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. This city is famous for Fugu (pufferfish) cuisine. Fugu has poison but yummy!
In Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. “Fuji” here doesn’t mean Mount Fuji, but mean the wisteria flower. It’s a nice town with a station for the Enoden train line that goes to Kamakura. I have a favorite sushi restaurant there!
In Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. It features the design of the traditional craft “Matsumoto Temari,” a symbol of the city. I refommend Matsumotojo-catsle!
In Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. This is the birthplace of the famous manga artist Shigeru Mizuki. These are the yokai (supernatural creatures) that appear in his work “GeGeGe no Kitaro.” The city is far from Tokyo, but I loved and visited many times.
In Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Odawara Castle is visible on the left, with the Hakone mountain range and Mount Fuji in the background. The figures wearing loincloths are laborers known as “porters” who carried travelers and their luggage across the river at that time.
In Ito City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Someone enjoying swimming？？
In Katori City, Chiba Prefecture. Someone is enjoying fishing in a beautiful river.
In Katori City, Chiba Prefecture. This is a “Poké Manhole” (Pokémon manhole cover). Poké Manhole covers are one-of-a-kind design manhole covers donated to municipalities by The Pokémon Company. They feature Tyranitar and Croagunk designs.
In Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture. A manhole cover featuring the team emblem of Kashima Antlers, the J.League team based in Kashima City. They won the championship in 2025!
In Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. The city’s symbols—lotus flowers, zelkova trees, and little terns—are depicted.
In Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. The city flower of Nagasaki City is the hydrangea.
On Rebun Island in Hokkaido. Japan’s northernmost remote island. As someone who loves remote corners, it was truly a wonderful island.
In Itoigawa City in Niigata prefecture. The plum blossoms are beautiful.
In Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture. Due to a major fire that occurred in the past, fire prevention is being promoted.
On Rishiri Island in Hokkaido. Rishiri Island is famous for Mount Rishiri and kombu seaweed. The sea urchin is also exquisite.
In Wakkanai City, Hokkaido. The northernmost town. Depicting Mount Rishiri on Rishiri Island across the strait and the famous brother dogs, Taro and Jiro.

This is my recommendation.

It’s a manhole cover from Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, on the Noto Peninsula. Wajima was famous for its “morning market,” where grandmas energetically called out to customers. But it burned down in the major earthquake of January 2024 and isn’t held anymore. I pray for its swift recovery.

But seriously, isn’t this design featuring the grandmother, fish, and vegetables super cute?

Fundamentally, manhole covers are just lids for access points dug into roads to maintain infrastructure. I love this kind of sensibility that uses cover designs to showcase a region’s charm.

Does your country have artistic manhole covers?