When walking through the streets of Japan, you may suddenly draw attention to your feet. There you will find a manhole with a colorful and unique design that feels like it is more than merely a lid. Did you know that manholes, which were once inconspicuous, are now installed all over the country as "local manholes" and have become "tourist attractions" that attract domestic and foreign tourists alike. Why has it attracted so much attention and fascinated people? In this article, we will introduce the basic knowledge of manholes, the charm of local manholes, and how to enjoy manhole tours while actually collecting manhole cards.
What is a Manhole? The Secret of Its Role and Shape
The Role of Manholes
It is said that there are about 15 million manholes in Japan that are taken for granted on the road. Do you know the role of that manhole? Manholes literally mean "holes for people to enter" and are installed as passages for people to enter and exit in order to inspect underground water, sewerage, gas, electricity, communication cables, etc. Manholes play a very important role in keeping our lives safe and hygienic.
Why Are Manholes Round?
Most manholes have a round shape, but there is a reason why they must be round and not just a coincidence. When a car or bicycle passes over a manhole, it would be a big problem if the lid fell inside due to the strain. The round lid is always larger than the diameter of the hole, so it will not fall into the hole in any orientation. If the lid is square, it has sides that are shorter than the diagonal, so if it deviates diagonally, there is a risk of falling into the hole. It is important to ensure safety.
In addition, the role of the uneven pattern on the surface of the manhole cover is "anti-slip". The unevenness is attached to prevent slipping even on rainy days, but if the unevenness is too small, it will be slippery, and if it is too large, it will be easy for pedestrians to fall, so it is filled with the spirit of meticulous "craftsmanship" in Japan, which pursues aesthetics while maintaining safety.
The Secret Story of the Birth of the Design Manhole
Why did manholes, which used to be inconspicuous, attract the attention of many people in Japan and abroad? The key to this is the "local manholes" that exist all over the country. More than 40 years ago, as one of the sewerage publicity measures, the Ministry of Construction at the time called on local governments nationwide to install "design manholes" (manhole covers with special designs). In order to change the image of sewerage, which had a negative image, it seems that there was also an aim to "make people more interested in sewerage". This became an opportunity for local manholes to spread throughout the country. It is said that there are now about 12,000 types of designs.
Types of Design Manholes
Local manholes are manholes designed with local characteristics and culture. There are many variations, and each place you visit has something new to discover. It is an opportunity for local residents to feel proud of their community.
- Specialty products: Mandarin oranges from Arita City, Wakayama Prefecture, Apples from Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, bonito from Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Himi Kanba from Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, Fugu fish from Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Historical buildings, historical sites, castles, etc.: Himeji Castle in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Sapporo Clock Tower in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Former Sakata Lighthouse in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, Tower in Ikaruga Town, Nara Prefecture, etc.
- Traditional crafts: Shogi pieces from Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, Matsumoto Temari from Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Echizen washi from Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, Satsuma Kiriko patterns from Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, etc.
- Festivals and traditional events: Nebuta Festival in Aomori City, Akita Kanto Festival in Akita City, Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival in Hiratsuka City, Lantern Festival in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Yuru characters and local mascot characters: Fuka-chan from Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture, Sanomaru from Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture, etc.
- Scenery and nature: Mt. Fuji in early summer in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, cherry blossoms in Mukohi City, Kyoto Prefecture, Mejiro in Saka Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, Achi wisteria in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, etc.
- Others: Ninja in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Momotaro in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, Orizuru in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Meganebashi in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, etc.
Design Manhole in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture
- This is the design manhole cover of Japan's first National Treasure "Himeji Castle", which was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
- Location: There are 12 locations on the road from JR Himeji Station to Himeji Castle.
- Manhole card distribution location: Himeji City Tourist Information Center Himeji City Ekimae-cho 210-2 (northwest side of JR Himeji Station Central Concourse)
- See also: https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/kurashi/0000000319.html
Design Manhole in Iga City, Mie Prefecture
- It is a manhole cover designed with three Iga ninjas, the city flower "Sasayuri", the city tree "red pine", and the city bird "pheasant".
- Location: Iga Police Station Yumegaoka Police Station Sidewalk (southwest of the police box) Near 1-1-4 Yumegaoka, Iga City
- Manhole card distribution location: Iga City Water Supply and Sewerage Department (Iga City Water Supply and Sewerage Customer Center) Iga City Yumegaoka 7-4-4
- See also: https://www.city.iga.lg.jp/0000004701.html
Collaborations with Anime and Popular Characters
In recent years, manholes in collaboration with popular anime and manga characters have been attracting special attention. Since it is installed in the area where the work was set or in a place related to it, it is also popular to search for manholes as a pilgrimage to holy sites of that work. In Tokyo alone, many popular works such as "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" in Minato Ward, "Cinnamoroll" in Shinagawa Ward, "Mobile Suit Gundam” in Inagi City, and "Hello Kitty" in Tama City are manholes. "Pokémon" manholes are also very popular and are installed all over the country.
How to Enjoy Manhole Tours ~Collect Manhole Cards~
Design Manhole cards make manhole tours even more fun. Manhole cards are collection cards planned and supervised by the Sewerage Public Relations Platform (Gesuido Koho Platform or 'GKP') that introduce local manholes nationwide. Since the first edition was published in 2016, it has grown in popularity, and now about 737 local governments nationwide are participating. More than 1,151 types of cards have been issued (as of June 2025)
Card contents:
- The surface is designed with a color photo of the manhole cover and latitude and longitude
- On the back side, the origin of the manhole cover design, images related to the design, the year the manhole cover installation started, the location of the card distribution, etc. are listed.
How to obtain:
- There is one place for each design to be distributed. The location where manhole cards are distributed is set for each local government, such as city hall, tourist information center, and sewerage-related facilities. It is not distributed by mail or online.
【Minato-ku, Tokyo】Japan's first "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" Design Manhole Tour
From a wide variety of design manholes, we will introduce the "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" design manhole tour in Minato-ku, Tokyo, which is popular not only among Japan but also among foreign visitors to Japan!
The design manholes of the world-popular work "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" are installed in five locations in Minato Ward for the first time in Japan. Minato Ward is the main stage of "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon", and many spots in Minato Ward, such as the main character Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon) and her friends, are located near Azabu Juban, as well as Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park. Let's go sightseeing in Minato Ward to find a design manhole.
FUN! JAPAN Editors' Recommendations of How to Get Around
🚃 【By Public Transportation】Time required: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
First of all, start from the west exit of JR Tamachi Station or Mita Station on the Toei Asakusa Subway Line and Toei Mita Line. It's just 5 minutes walk from the station. Then you will arrive at the Minato Ward Tourist Information Center (Fuda-no-tsuji Square). First, let's go get a design manhole map and a manhole card! (Maps available in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean)
A manhole card designed with a Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon & Tuxedo Mask. There is only one type of design, and it is the same design as the one that started distribution in April of Reiwa 6.
- Distribution location: Minato City Tourist Information Center (Fuda-no-tsuji Square)
- *Distributed only at the Minato Ward Tourist Information Center at Tsuji Square (Shiba 5-36-4)
- Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. *Goods sales until 4:30 p.m.
- Open all year round (*Excluding year-end and New Year holidays)
- Distribution method: One ticket per person (free) *Please note that we do not let someone else receiving it on your behalf, accept a reservation in advance, or distribute it by mail.
- Please check the stock status on the Minato Ward website.
About 5 minutes walk from Fuda-no-tsuji Square, you can see the entrance of the Keio Naka-dori shopping street. There are a lot of people day and night, so be careful as you may accidentally overlook it! The first manhole is installed at the entrance.
★⑤5 Sailor Guardians (lemon color) Keio Naka-dori Shopping Street Entrance
Location: Keio Naka-dori shopping street entrance (Shiba 5-20 away)
It is known as the place where Minako Aino (Sailor Venus), who was also the main character of Naoko Takeuchi's work "Code Name : Sailor V", which was serialized before "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon", appeared. The manhole is in the background with "yellow", the image color of Sailor Venus.
Next, get on the subway Toei Mita Line from Mita Station. You will arrived at Onarimon Station in 3 minutes. If you exit the ticket gate A1 for Minato Ward Office and Tokyo Tower, you will arrive at the second manhole in 1 minute on foot. It is installed in front of the "Minato Library" in a quiet place with few people. You can see Tokyo Tower a little further away along with the manhole.
★② 5 Sailor Guardians (Blue)
Location: Near Shiba Park (in front of Minato Library) (Shiba Park 3-2-25 ahead)
Shiba Park Junior High School, where Minako Aino (Sailor Venus), the leader of the four Sailor Guardians who protects the Moon Princess, attends, is set to be located near Shiba Park. The manhole is in the background with "blue", the image color of Sailor Mercury.
It is a 10-minute walk to the Shiba Water Station where the next manhole is installed. Go straight with Hibiya Street in the background and turn left at the intersection of Shiba Park 3-chome. Proceed along the pedestrian bridge of Nishi-Shimbashi 3-chome towards Kamiyacho Station on a slightly gentle slope. If you turn left at the intersection under Shiba Gakuen, a slightly steep slope continues, and you will arrive soon if you go down Kiridoushizaka. A third manhole is installed between the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan and the Shiba Water Station. It is a very quiet place where you can see Tokyo Tower closer than before. It is a spectacular view point where you can take pictures of Tokyo Tower and the manhole together.
★④ 5 Sailor Guardians (Fresh greenery) near Tokyo Tower (in front of Shiba Water Station)
Location: In front of the Shiba Water Station (Shiba Park 3-6-7 ahead)
Tokyo Tower appears in various scenes in the work, depicting it as a landscape and as a stage for battle. It is also the place where the main protagonist Usagi Tsukino's previous life turned out to be the moon princess and the Legendary Silver Crystal appeared, making it an indispensable place for Sailor Moon. This manhole is the background of "green", which is the image color of Sailor Jupiter.
Return halfway the way you came and walk 5 minutes to Tokyo Metro Kamiyacho Station. Get on from Tokyo Metro Kamiyacho Station, get off at Roppongi Station, and take Gaien Higashi Street from Exit 3 towards Roppongi Intersection. The busy streets continue ahead. At the Roppongi intersection, go in the direction where you can see Tokyo Tower in front of you, turn right at the Roppongi 5-chome intersection, and the fourth manhole is in front of the elementary school and kindergarten of Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin. (7 minutes walk)
★③ Usagi , Ami , Rei , Makoto & Minako
Location: In front of Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin Elementary School and Kindergarten (Roppongi 5-6-14 Away)
Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin Junior High School is a school that is said to have become the model for "T.A Private Girls' Academy" attended by Rei Hino (Sailor Mars), and is a manhole with Sailor Mars' image color "red" in the background.
It is a 10-minute walk to the last manhole. Let's take a walk to Azabu Juban. It is a quiet street lined with the Roppongi Museum of Art and the Singapore Embassy in Japan, and if you go down Toriizaka and go towards Azabu Juban Subway Station, the last manhole is installed near Exit 4 of Azabu Juban Subway Station, which is the entrance to Azabu Juban Shopping Street.
★① Sailor Moon & Tuxedo Mask
Location: Azabu Juban Shopping Street Entrance (Azabu Juban 2-1 Avenue)
The entrance to Azabu Juban Shopping Street is the place where Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon) and Mamoru Chiba (Tuxedo Mask) had a fateful reunion. Also, since Usagi and her friends live around Azabu Juban, there are many spots related to Azabu Juban Shopping Street, such as shops that appear in the work and shops that the author, Naoko Takeuchi, went to at the time. At the end of the walk, you can take a break at Azabu Juban Shopping Street and enjoy shopping.
- Route: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
- All walking courses: Time required: about 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Bicycle use: Minato Ward bicycle sharing available
- *To use bicycle sharing, you need to register as a member or purchase a one-day pass.
Why don't you go out looking for a design manhole? New discoveries and joys will be born!
Source: Minato Ward HP: "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" design manhole installed [first in Japan]
Reference: Tokyo Metropolitan Sewerage Bureau HP: https://www.gesui.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/
GKP Sewer Platform HP: https://www.gk-p.jp/mc-qa/
Manhole Design Reveals Japan's Culture and History by Hidetoshi Ishii Minerva Shobo First published on September 10, 2015
The Secret of the Underground Seen in Large Photographs and Pictures 2 Water and Sewerage, Electricity, Gas, and Communication Networks Supervised by the Underground Space Research Committee of the Civil Engineering Academic Community, Asunaro Shobo, November 30, 2014
Manhole Encyclopedia West Japan Edition Suzuki Publishing Published by Yasuhiko Nishimura Published on March 25, 2020
Comments