Design manholes featuring popular characters and local attractions are becoming popular as a new way to enjoy exploring the city. In Tokyo, you can find unique manholes featuring anime, art, and local culture here and there. Here, we introduce how to start exploring the city by visiting manholes.

Why have design manholes become popular in Japan?

While you can find manholes with creative symbolic designs in cities around the world, there are many more in Japan, with about 95% of the municipalities reportedly having their own original manhole covers. The origin of design manholes in Japan goes back to efforts to improve the image of sewerage projects and increase public understanding of them. Along with the tourism promotion by individual municipalities and the nationwide craze for local characters, various local manholes have been created as you can see today.

“Manhole cards” as a memento of your trip

Godzilla & Shinjuku

The life-sized Godzilla Head on a building terrace is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Shinjuku. One of the tenants of the building is “HOTEL GRACERY SHINJUKU,” with a total of 970 guestrooms from the 8th to 30th floors. The hotel offers unique guestrooms, such as Godzilla-themed rooms and rooms with a close-up view of Godzilla Head. If you are a Godzilla fan, it is a place you won’t want to miss!
HOTEL GRACERY SHINJUKU × GODZILLA

Hello Kitty & Tama Center

Hello Kitty is one of the most popular Sanrio characters all around the world. You can find 3 types of Hello Kitty design manholes at 10 different locations around Tama Center Station. Hello Kitty has been appointed as a Tama Center goodwill ambassador, serving as a beloved symbol of the area.
Hello Kitty Manhole Covers

Type of Card	Distribution Location	Time	Closed
	Distribution LocationSewage Department on the 1st floor in Tama City Office Building No. 2	TimeWeekdays, 9:00–17:00	ClosedAvailable at Nagayama Community Center on weekends and holidays
	Distribution LocationNagayama Community Center	Time9:00–17:00	ClosedClosed on first and third Thursdays
	Distribution LocationTama City Green Live Center	Time9:30–17:00	ClosedClosed on Mondays (or Tuesday following holiday Monday)

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon & Minato City

“Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” is a Japanese manga series of world-wide popularity. Sailor Moon design manholes are found at 7 locations in Minato City. The series takes place in Minato City, and landmarks and places in the city, such as Tokyo Tower and Azabu Juban area, a unique neighborhood of Tokyo, known for being posh yet relaxed, often appear in the series, leading to the installation of Sailor Moon design manholes in Minato City. The manhole cards are available at Minato City Tourist Information Center.
Minato City
Minato City Tourist Information Center

If you want to further immerse yourself into the world of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, you should visit a permanent theater at Shinagawa Prince Hotel, “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon -Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo-.” The immersive musical performance features a completely original story, with real-time English subtitles. The musical performance is offered 2 or 3 times every day and lasts about 1 hour, so it is easy to make the visit part of your trip.
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon - Shining Sailor Moon Shinagawa -

Katsushika Hokusai & Sumida City

When you visit the place associated with Hokusai, you should visit The Sumida Hokusai Museum. The museum offers a permanent exhibition and various special exhibitions, through which you can learn about his achievements and know about his life. Commemorating a Decade: Special Exhibition See THE SUMIDA HOKUSAI MUSEUM’s BEST—The Scenery on Both Banks of the Sumida River Picture Scroll and Other Masterpieces— is held from September 15 to November 23. Enjoy the exhibition of many masterpieces from the museum’s collection. You will also find it worthwhile to see the near-futuristic museum building designed by Sejima Kazuyo, a world-renowned Japanese architect, and covered with aluminum panels.
The Sumida Hokusai Museum

Digital Rally adds more fun to your design manhole tour