Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Drainspotting In Japan: The Art Of Manhole Covers



All across Japan, stylized manhole covers are custom made for each town and city, with some of them even being colorfully painted. These manhole covers have designs that ranges from images of japan's history, flowers, animals, and other local landmarks. I think it is only in Japan where the views of the city skyline are rivaled by the surprising and delightful sights when you look down. 

When we visited Japan, I would see this wonderful pieces during our walks, and the kids and I would often get sidetracked as we marvel at these beautiful pieces that decorate the roads we walk on. Soon, we were on our own treasure hunt, eager to collect more photos of these beautiful manhole covers.
Hope you enjoy my small collection of manhole covers!
Spotted in Gion

This one is in Higashiyama


This one is from Higashiyama


Another one from Higashiyama


Sighted at Arashiyama


Seen in Nara


Another one from Nara


This one is from Shinsaibashi


This colorful one spotted in the middle of Kuromon Ichiba


Another one from the busy street of Shinsaibashi


Still from Shinsaibashi


Spotted in Shinsaibashi





Sighted at the Dotonbori area


This one is from the port city of Kobe


Another one from Kobe

From Kobe


Sighted near the Osaka Museum

Did you also enjoy "drainspotting" when you visited Japan? For those who are still going to vist, don't forget to do this, it's one of the cheapest sightseeing. :)

For ALL my Japan posts:

1. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/03/phenomenal-tip-my-10-step-guide-on-how.html
2. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-osaka-kyoto-nara-kobe-trip.html
3. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-websites-and-apps-to-help.html



4. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-snippets-of-our-vacation.html
5. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-where-to-stay-in-osaka.html
6. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-where-to-stay-in-osaka_25.html



7. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-how-to-get-around-kansai-how.html
8. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-1-arrival-at-osaka.html
9. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-2-universal-studios-japan.html



10. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-2-ippudo-ramen-osaka.html
11. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-3-eastern-kyoto.html
12. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-3-eastern-kyoto_16.html



13. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-3-eastern-kyoto-kodaiji.html
14. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/07/japan-2014-day-4-western-kyoto.html
15. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/07/japan-2014-day-4-western-kyoto-kinkakuji.html



16. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/11/japan-2014-day-5-downtown-kyoto-nishiki.html
17. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/12/japan-2014-day-5-southern-kyoto-fushimi.html
18. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-5-nara-nara-deer-park.html



19. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-6-osaka-kuromon-ichiba.html
20. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-6-osaka-tempozan-harbor.html
21. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-7-osaka-shinsaibashi.html



22. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-8-kobe-kitano-district.html
23. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-8-kobe-kobe-steak-lunch.html
24. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-8-kobe-meriken-park.html



25. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-9-osaka-hanami-picnic-at.html
26. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/02/japan-2014-day-9-osaka-doguyasuji.html

28. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/04/japan-2014-day-10-osaka-osaka-museum-of.html
29. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/04/japan-2014-drainspotting-in-japan-art.html
30. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/04/japan-2014-ways-to-save-so-you-can.html



Click here to read ALL my JAPAN posts.




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16 comments :

  1. JackieApril 8, 2015 at 9:12 PM

    This was a cool read. My sister just came from Japan and I wonder if she noticed these, too. Haha :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. kjrodApril 9, 2015 at 9:43 PM

    This is interesting. I haven't visited Japan yet, but will definitely take pictures of these manhole covers when we do. They can rival the stars on the Hollywood walk of fame, haha.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownApril 10, 2015 at 2:42 AM

    Wow! How I would love to go to Japan with the family too! I'll keep this in mind if and when we get there :) they look really nice!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownApril 10, 2015 at 3:25 AM

    Wow! nKakatuwa naman ang mga manholes sa kanila. Di scary. hehe

    ReplyDelete
  5. fashioneggpplantApril 10, 2015 at 11:58 AM

    this much attention to detail really tells you how beautiful japan is as a country.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mommy KrisnaApril 10, 2015 at 12:10 PM

    Added this cool manholes to the reasons why I want to visit Japan. Galing talaga nila! Thanks for sharing! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mommy LevyApril 10, 2015 at 5:44 PM

    we have a manhole in front of our house and I don't know what to do with it. Some of my neighbors cover theirs with tiles, other with bermuda grass. I wish someone here can do this drainspotting. So cool!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousApril 10, 2015 at 10:25 PM

    Interesting! This is so cool! Someday :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. AyiApril 11, 2015 at 8:29 AM

    I wanna go to Japan :(( Soon, when my kids are big enough and able to travel. Will definitely do this ;) Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Balot's ChatterApril 11, 2015 at 5:58 PM

    Awesome findings :D Love the design! Labor of love! :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ma.Me.Mi.MommyApril 11, 2015 at 9:11 PM

    These are so cool! :) I will be more watchful.pf the floor when we visit Japan next month. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pam / Hey, Miss Adventures!April 13, 2015 at 12:55 AM

    I had no idea they had this in Japan - and to think that is one of the top countries I want to visit. Great post you have here - thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rhoda FajardoApril 13, 2015 at 9:09 AM

    So creative! Id totally take photos of their manholes too even if the passersby would think Im a weirdo. Id post them on IG coz its artistic. Here in the Philippines, manholes look all the same.

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  14. Peachy @ The Peach KitchenApril 15, 2015 at 7:57 AM

    WOW! I'm impressed with their manhole covers huh! So artistic!

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  15. UnknownApril 15, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    I love how Japan is both so advance in technology yet still have a very traditional lifestyle. I have many Japanese friends (actually, my students) and I'm always interested to hear their stories, however,I'm surprised that no one ever mentioned about the art on manhole covers. Geez, there are still a lot of fascinating things to discover about this beautiful country! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  16. TweenselMomApril 20, 2015 at 5:18 AM

    This only shows how Japan values their art and history. They value even the little things but nevertheless, drain covers are made of steel and are expensive so why not design them :-)

    ReplyDelete

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