Anyway, as for manholes, I first noticed them several years ago on a trip to Hokkaido. Towns and cities all across Japan have their own trademark manhole designs, which vary depending on utility type (sewer, fire, telephone, gas) and manufacturer. They’re like a type of street art portraying local emblems, sites, delicacies and even cartoon characters. On my Hokkaido trip, I thought they were so artistic that I took photos of each different one I saw. Since then, I dreamt of the day when my collection could grow beyond the borders of Hokkaido. And now, living here on Honshu, I’ve had plenty of opportunities. I have photos of about 40 or 50 manholes. Of course, the nerdy collector in me is kicking myself for not documenting one in each and every city I’ve been to, but still, I think I’ve done pretty well.
I’m not the first person to be drawn to them… a quick internet search show that others are clearly taken with Japanese manholes too...
for a summary, see http://www.pinktentacle.com/2007/10/japanese-manhole-covers/
Some people (apparently Japanese) have taken it upon themselves to trek across whole regions of the country documenting the manholes in each town, and then create a manhole map (http://micio.cute.bz/map.html). But it’s okay if I’m not 100 percent original- at least I know I’ve personally stood in front of each and every one of these manholes. They’re kind of like postcards…
And I can be comforted by the knowledge that not everyone shares my love of sewer covers. My friends tend to laugh at me when I have to run to catch up to them after hanging back to photograph a manhole. But look- how can anyone not find them fascinating?!
Good ole Gifu
Ikeda, near Osaka
Ise, site of Japan's most sacred shrine...
Kobe
Matsumoto
