Worlds Prettiest Manhole Covers ♥

This is random, I did think I posted pictures of these but apparently I haven't^^ Anyway manhole covers? Yes, they can be pretty, and I think Japan has THE most beautiful manhole covers I have ever seen ♥

In most countries they're just plain slabs of metal, no unique design, no colors. Just boring manhole covers. But, Japan's manhole covers are different! Each and every city has different manhole cover designs, with different colors and stories behind the designs.

When I went to Chubu, I was in the mountains most of the time, so I did not get to see many manhole covers. But lucky for me when I went to Nagoya I decided to check out the Sewage Science Hall (not a weird choice, I'm an environmental engineering major!), where they displayed various manhole covers from all over Japan. Here're some I took pictures of:

Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture

Depicting a "scene" from Heike Monogatari, a story on the struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans for power over Japan in the 12th century.

Nara City, Nara Prefecture

Deer; they roam free in the city!

Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Higo tsubaki (Higo camellia), the flower symbol of the city.

Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture

Of a man doing Fuuryuu Odori (type of dance) at the Oidensai, a local festival.

Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture

Sagisou (white egret flower), the flower symbol of the city.

Iida City, Nagano Prefecture

Apples, a produce the city is famous for.

There were actually a whole lot of them (it *is* called the Sewage Science Hall)

But I didn't take pictures of each and every manhole cover I saw, just the more colorful ones.

I do think that the ones featured here are really old though!

And the one you've probably already seen, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture.

Temari, a local traditional craft.

When it's daylight these things just catch your eye as you walk along the sidewalks!

So if you're ever in Japan, be sure look out for the city's unique manhole cover :)