In Japan, manhole covers don’t simply exist to prevent people or things from falling into utility vaults.
Many towns and municipalities have their own unique cover designs linked to local sights – from deer in Nara to Osaka's famous castle.
Little, mundane works of arts, they are ignored and stepped upon on a daily basis.
But the often colorfully painted manholes are known to have drawn crowds of “drainspotters”, obsessed with collecting pictures of the estimated 6,000 different manhole cover designs in Japan.
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![Khoirunnisa Wirdaningrum Khoirunnisa Wirdaningrum](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/2184/100x100!/56a57e7267ba81e615c0f6c2.jpg)
Khoirunnisa Wirdaningrum
8 years ago
I gotta admit that I'm a little obsessed with these manholes all over Japan!
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![Anne Lauenroth Anne Lauenroth](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/5511/100x100!/565e87e967ba810c868b755d.jpg)
Anne Lauenroth
Photographer
8 years ago
It also turned into a real hobby and habit of mine to spot and take pictures of them. Thank you for your comment, Khoirunnisa.
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![Elena Lisina Elena Lisina](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/242842747/100x100!/5937a94e67ba81b54e5cdb14.jpg)
Elena Lisina
8 years ago
I also always notice them! )))
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![Anne Lauenroth Anne Lauenroth](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/5511/100x100!/565e87e967ba810c868b755d.jpg)
Anne Lauenroth
Photographer
8 years ago
After a while, I feel it's hard not to notice them anymore. I've been turned into a drainspotter myself. Thank you for your comment, Shiroi.
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![Justin Velgus Justin Velgus](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/779/100x100!/57aabc8a67ba816e41c9c0c7.jpg)
Justin Velgus
8 years ago
We have seen these online before BUT it is wonderful you gave us such a large and interesting selection. Arigatoo!
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![Anne Lauenroth Anne Lauenroth](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/5511/100x100!/565e87e967ba810c868b755d.jpg)
Anne Lauenroth
Photographer
8 years ago
Thank you, Justin.
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![Olga Olga](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/4319/100x100!/5836b45067ba81c75c7b23cd.jpg)
Olga
8 years ago
It's a wonderful and cute (especially #1 and # 22) selection! Two thumbs up!
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![Anne Lauenroth Anne Lauenroth](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/5511/100x100!/565e87e967ba810c868b755d.jpg)
Anne Lauenroth
Photographer
8 years ago
Thank you, Olga.
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![Reynald Ventura Reynald Ventura](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/95/100x100!/5abda78e67ba81ab5b7b23cc.jpg)
Reynald Ventura
8 years ago
Well spotted, Anne.
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![Anne Lauenroth Anne Lauenroth](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/5511/100x100!/565e87e967ba810c868b755d.jpg)
Anne Lauenroth
Photographer
8 years ago
Thank you, Reynald.
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