Japanese manhole covers come in many designs and depend on the location, utility type and manufacturer. There is a Japanese Society of Manhole Covers … and a growing number of manhole cover spotters. I guess I am one of them since I have been taking photos of them since we arrived!

Matsumato

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Ueno Park, Tokyo

Two Pokémon manhole covers were recently placed in Ueno Park … but Pokémon themed manhole covers have been installed in over 150 locations all over Japan from 2019

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Himeji

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Kobe

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Tottori

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Fukuoka

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Chiba

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Tokyo

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It seems to me that Tokyo needs to up its game – apart from the two above from the Fire Service, plus the recent Pokémon ones, the manhole covers need a little more imagination!

Of course it helps that the pavements are kept clean with no chewing gum (I haven’t seen any people with gum) & cigarette stubs.

And just in case this post appeals to you, I will continue to photograph different ones when I see them. Because of Covid and pleas from the government not to travel, we have seen less of Japan than we had hoped.