Japan Manhole Cover Tank Tops

Bowing Nara Deer at Nara Park

Folk tale Momotaro

Joso drain cover from Ibaraki Prefecture, featuring a Castle and Uguisu.

Osaka Castle in Osaka

Ishioka drain cover depicting the lion dog

Wajima drain cover depicting Gojinjo-daiko from Nafune village

Fuji town in Shizuoka Prefecture depicting Mt Fuji

Wajima drain cover depicting Gojinjo-daiko from Nafune village

Gotemba drain cover depicting traditional Japanese countryside with Fuji-san in the background.

Folk tale Momotaro

Marugame Drain Cover from Takamatsu Prefecture

Onsen town Arima in Kobe

Sano City drain cover depicting Sanomaru

Hakuba and the Alps in Nagano Prefecture

Folk tale Momotaro

Inasa flower town in Shizuoka Prefecture

Wajima drain cover depicting Gojinjo-daiko from Nafune village

Wajima drain cover depicting Gojinjo-daiko from Nafune village

Japanese Manhole Art from Hakodate. Hakodate is a city and port located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

Fujinomiya is a city located in central Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Japanese Manhole form Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Art depicting steam locomotive and cherry blossom.

Fujinomiya is a city located in central Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Japanese Manhole Art from Fujikawaguchiko Town with Mount Fuji and Bridge. Fujikawaguchiko is a town located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

Japanese Manhole Art from Hakodate. Hakodate is a city and port located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

Japanese Manhole Art from Fujikawaguchiko Town with Mount Fuji and Bridge. Fujikawaguchiko is a town located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

Japanese Manhole form Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Art depicting steam locomotive and cherry blossom.

Ishioka drain cover depicting the lion dog

Shimanto drain cover in Kochi Prefecture - Front print

Marugame Drain Cover from Takamatsu Prefecture

Yamatoshi drain cover from Okayama Prefecture, depicting an azure winged magpie - back print

Gotemba drain cover depicting traditional Japanese countryside with Fuji-san in the background.

Joso drain cover from Ibaraki Prefecture, featuring a Castle and Uguisu

Shimanto drain cover from Kochi Prefecture - back print

In most countries, the design of manhole covers is scarcely given a second thought. But after World War II, city planners in Japan proposed the idea of allowing each local municipality to design their own manhole cover as part of an effort to raise awareness for costly sewage projects. Designs would reflect local industry, culture, and history.

ink design

Sano City drain cover depicting Sanomaru