Catch All 103 Pokémon Manhole Covers across Japan on Your Next Trip

There’s no place for passionate Pokémon fans quite like Japan! From Pikachu trains to Pokémon-themed hotel rooms, you’ll surely catch many pocket monsters on your trip. Live your real-life Pokémon adventure in Japan today, but instead of catching Pokémons, snag pictures of their Pokéfuta!

If you’ve been to Japan, you might have seen and even ridden some of the coolest trains ever, but now there’s a new thing to look out for: Pokémon manhole covers! These Pokémon lids were introduced in 2018 as part of “Pokémon Local Acts,” a collaboration with different municipalities in Japan. It was installed to encourage tourists to visit lesser-known areas.

Other than Pokémon, Japan's artistic manhole covers are delightful gems scattered throughout the country and often include symbols and designs specific to a certain area or town, such as landmarks, mascots, flora, fauna, and more.

These lids are made by mechanically carving the design into aluminium before a sand mould is used to produce a cast metal version. Then, they are hand-painted with coloured acrylic resin, which results in bright and sturdy covers.

Catch your favourite Pokémons in Japan during your holiday in this beautiful country. Japan started installing a series of Pokémon manholes around the country a few years ago. Nearly 100 of them have been placed in eight different prefectures, including Kagoshima, Hokkaido, Fukushima, Kagawa, and Miyazaki.

Japan continuously adds more and more Poké Lids around the country each year. Currently, there are over 240 Poké Lids from Kyushu to Hokkaido regions, and each design is unique. Try your best to catch ‘em all!

With the many Poké Lids around the country, you can take a look at this official guide by the Pokémon Company.

Just recently, the Poké Lids have finally hit the streets of Japan's capital, Tokyo! Time to do experience Pokémon Go in real life and search of these adorable manhole covers!

To celebrate the arrival of Poké Lids in Tokyo, The Pokémon Company even released an official guide detailing where these manhole covers can be found across the nation. The guide implies that dozens of new Poké Lids are scheduled to be installed all over the country, including in other districts of the Kanto region near Tokyo, such as  Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, and Tochigi. To have the ultimate trainer experience, Japan is the place to be.

The six new Poké Lids have been installed at Tokyo's Machida in Serigaya Park. They feature six Gen-1 Pokémon designs, including beloved  Pokémons like Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle! We also spot Caterpie, Rattata, Weedle, Oddish, Pidgey, and a pair of adorable Poliwags. To encounter these Pokémon, catch a one-hour train from Tokyo Station to the serene Serigaya Park, where you can take a scenic stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Embark on your Pokémon hunt in Japan while admiring the beauty of the country. Serigaya Park is filled with winding paths, mini waterfalls, pools, and shade from its trees. It is especially gorgeous in spring and autumn when the cherry blossoms and leaves come out to play!

Another manhole cover hype that surfaced is the installation of Anime Manhole Covers in the city of Tokorozawa, located north of Tokyo! These covers are decorated with anime characters from popular animation series such as Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion, and even glow-in-the-dark, which is illuminated by solar-powered LED lights.

Tokorozawa has become a hotspot for anime fans by opening a new anime and manga-focused complex—the Tokorozawa Sakura Town! The complex houses event spaces, museums, and even an Anime Hotel.

If you’ve caught all the Pokémon or need things to do in between, check out our blog post on what else you can do in Tokyo!

Catch, battle, and evolve with your favourite Pokémons in Japan on your next trip!