# Artistic Drains Painted Sewer Covers Show Japan's Commitment to Beauty By Cowbag | Published 2008-12-30 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artistic-drains-japans-beautiful-sewer-covers References: [jackfrost.blog](http://jackfrost.blog.co.uk/?tag=japanese-drain-covers) You have got to hand it to the [Japanese](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-drinkware) for over complicating everything. These awesome drain covers are no exception. There is a massive geek following for these covers in Japan, to the extent that they get stolen a fair bit too. I can tell you, that would never happen in the UK. Geektastically, the finest drain covers are even highlighted on [Google Maps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/historic-ar-experience). Why the hell not decorate them? There HAVE to be drain covers, so why not make them as beautiful as possible? ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Regional](https://www.trendhunter.com/regional) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Artistic Sewer Covers:** Opportunity for artists and designers to transform mundane infrastructure into artistic displays, enhancing urban aesthetics. - **Geek Culture Collectibles:** Growing demand for unique drain covers as collectible items, creating niche market for memorabilia enthusiasts. - **Innovation in Urban Infrastructure:** Exploration of creative alternatives to traditional sewer covers, inviting innovative materials and design solutions for utilitarian objects. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Urban Design and Architecture:** Integration of artistic elements into urban infrastructure, creating new opportunities for designers to reimagine the cityscape. - **Art and Collectibles Market:** Emergence of a market for customized and collectible drain covers, opening avenues for artists to monetize their creations. - **Materials Engineering and Manufacturing:** Development of durable and visually appealing materials for novel sewer covers, driving innovation in manufacturing processes and materials science. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Illuminated Public Artful Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hiroo-east-park.md) - [Japanese Heritage-Honoring Graters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sakura-petal-grater.md) - [Japanese Artwork Keyboard Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/traitors-keys-ukiyoe-keycap-set.md) - [Light-Filled Public Restrooms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vivid-toilet-interior.md) - [Collectible Japanese Travel Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-been-there.md) - [Japanese Culture-Honoring Vases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/watoji.md) - [Japanese Art-Inspired Water Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kintsugi-collection.md) - [Pottery-Inspired Artful Notebooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kintsugi-art.md) - [Japanese Handmade Goods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-handmade-goods.md)