Japanese Manholes
In Japan, you’ll encounter intricately designed sewer vent covers that seem to outdo each other in both size and artistic complexity. These creatively adorned sewer vent covers can be found in nearly every part of the country. For many years, photographers have roamed Japan, capturing the imaginative and artistic designs adorning these otherwise mundane street features.
The phenomenon of artistic sewer vent covers gained momentum due to design competitions and subsequent publications. Regions and municipalities started competing to create the most captivating and unique designs. According to the Japan Society of Manhole Covers, today, there are approximately 6,000 creatively adorned sewer vent covers gracing streets all across Japan, a testament to the country’s penchant for blending functionality with artistic expression.
