# Manhole Covers as Art Japanese Manholes By Alex Covert | Published 2007-10-26 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/catchy-crap-covers-japanese-manholes References: [pinktentacle](http://www.pinktentacle.com/2007/10/japanese-manhole-covers/) & [geocities.jp](http://www.geocities.jp/okachincom/MH/dohoku/dohoku.htm) In some areas of Japan, they cover their manholes with beautifully designed one-of-a-kind covers. This isn't limited to one or two pieces, either. The Asian trend is covered on a number of web sites. In fact, a search on [Google](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-historical-research) images will result in all the manhole covers you can handle. Also in this category: **Implications** - The development of decorative pieces to be used in the streets during daily life is a way for certain areas to add a more attractive, upbeat element to their citizens' daily lives. This is seen everywhere from the painting of houses in Rio de Janeiro to [covering manholes with art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1) in Japan. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 44% | Activity: 13% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Graffiti](https://www.trendhunter.com/graffiti) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Artistic Manholes:** Creating one-of-a-kind manhole covers with beautiful designs to add aesthetic value to public spaces. - **Urban Public Art:** Introducing art installations in urban public spaces to uplift and bring a sense of community pride and beauty. - **Functional Art:** Integrating beauty and art into everyday functional structures to create positive impacts on the daily experiences of people. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Urban Design:** Designing public spaces, including manhole covers, with artistic elements to improve the aesthetic value of cities and promote tourism. - **Public Art:** Creating and installing public art installations, including decorative manhole covers, to enrich public spaces and increase the cultural value of cities. - **Construction:** Collaborating with artists and designers to create functional, yet aesthetically pleasing, structures and installations for public use. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Illuminated Public Artful Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hiroo-east-park.md) - [Japanese Handmade Goods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-handmade-goods.md) - [Pottery-Inspired Artful Notebooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kintsugi-art.md) - [Japanese Culture-Honoring Vases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/watoji.md) - [Contemporary Colorful Bucket Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hachiman-bucket.md) - [Light-Filled Public Restrooms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vivid-toilet-interior.md) - [Japanese Heritage-Honoring Graters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sakura-petal-grater.md) - [Japanese Art-Inspired Water Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kintsugi-collection.md) - [Japanese Craftsmanship-Inspired Sculpture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nakajimaya-crossing.md)