Japan Manhole Cover Pillows

Bowing Nara Deer at Nara Park

Ishioka drain cover depicting the lion dog

Osaka Castle in Osaka

Wajima drain cover depicting Gojinjo-daiko from Nafune village

Fuji town in Shizuoka Prefecture depicting Mt Fuji

Marugame Drain Cover from Takamatsu Prefecture

Hakuba and the Alps in Nagano Prefecture

Onsen town Arima in Kobe

Folk tale Momotaro

Inasa flower town in Shizuoka Prefecture

Wajima drain cover depicting Gojinjo-daiko from Nafune village

Japanese Manhole Cover Art from Fuji City. Fuji is a city in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Art depicting Kaguyahime/The bamboo Girl Legend.

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 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 Cover Art from Fuji City. Fuji is a city in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Art depicting Kaguyahime/The bamboo Girl Legend.

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

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

Ishioka drain cover depicting the lion dog

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

Folk tale Momotaro

Osaka Castle

From the street of Japan

From the street of Japan

From the street of Japan

From the street of Japan

From the street of Japan