In some areas of Japan, all you have to do to get a feel of local traditions and specialties is look down at the street you’re standing on. Some manhole covers are surprisingly artistic, with beautiful designs incorporating things the area is famous for.
But some less traditional manhole covers have been appearing in recent years, including ones inspired by anime like Love Live!.
The installation of manhole covers featuring characters from a hit series can be a great way to bring more visitors to obscure areas of Japan, and one of the biggest hit series, Pokemon, are utilizing this strategy to help revitalise Japanese cities, especially ones which have been struck by disasters in recent years.
Pokemon have been collaborating with local municipalities around Japan to create ‘Poke Lids’, manhole covers with awesome Pokemon designs. Hoping to encourage more tourism to the areas, the covers are one of a kind, so if you want to see your favourite Pokemon, you have to go to that particular location.
The rest of the article can be viewed on our partner’s website, grape Japan at ”One of a Kind Pokemon Design Manhole Covers Are Taking Over Japanese Towns.“