"What's All the Fuss About?"... Visitors Flock in Droves and Shout at Staff, Leaving Japanese Local Governments Struggling with Manhole Card Craze

Manhole Cards Featuring Local Specialties in Japan Spark Collecting Craze
Local Governments Suspend Distribution Over Visitors' Disruptive Behavior

As collectible cards featuring manhole cover designs gain popularity in Japan, a growing number of local governments are suspending distribution because of visitors’ rude behavior.

Decorative manhole covers featuring landmarks and local specialties from different regions of Japan are being actively used as tourism attractions. Screenshot from TikTok.

Manhole Covers Featuring Local Attractions and Specialties Gain Popularity... 26 Million Manhole Cards Distributed to Date

On November 4, The Japan Times reported that some local governments, including Higashihiroshima City in Hiroshima Prefecture and Shari Town in Hokkaido, had suspended or ended manhole card distribution because of visitors’ inconsiderate behavior.

The popularity of manhole cards is closely tied to Japan’s unique manhole culture. In Japan, decorative manhole covers have become a tourism resource that showcases the character and culture of local communities. They first appeared in 1978 as a way to improve the image of sewage systems. Local governments use them to promote tourism, engraving them with local attractions, specialties, and anime characters.

The term “Manhora” is used for enthusiasts who seek out decorative manhole covers in different regions. They photograph covers across the country and post the pictures on social media as proof of their visits, or collect related merchandise. Foreign tourists visiting Japan also take commemorative photos in front of manhole covers or take manhole cards home as souvenirs.

Manhole cards were first introduced in 2016 to promote local sewerage projects and boost tourism. They are the size of business cards, with a photo of the manhole cover and its location on the front, and the story behind the design and related information on the back.

About 26 million manhole cards have been distributed to date. They are available free of charge, one per person, at places such as highway rest areas and tourist facilities. Their popularity is so high that as many as 4,000 cards have been distributed in a single day.

The manhole cards feature the manhole cover design, where it is installed, and the story behind the design. TikTok screenshot.

“Give Me the Card Now!” Visitors Shout at Staff... Local Governments Struggle with Manhole Card Collecting Frenzy

In July 2026, Higashihiroshima City in Hiroshima Prefecture began distributing manhole cards featuring Higashihiroshimayaki, a local specialty and Japanese-style savory pancake. But after visitors seeking the cards repeatedly caused trouble, the city temporarily suspended distribution at the end of September 2026.

Hirotoshi Owa, head of the city’s Sewerage Management Division, which was responsible for distributing the cards, said, “Cars lined up and parked on the narrow road in front of the tourist information center where the cards were distributed, making it difficult for residents to get around.” He added, “Some visitors even shouted at staff who were assisting tourists, demanding that they hand over the cards quickly.”

Shari Town in Hokkaido also ended manhole card distribution in February 2025. The town had distributed cards depicting the Shiretoko Peninsula and local plants and animals at a highway rest area. However, it decided not to continue the program because of visitors’ complaints and repeated instances of rude behavior.

Koji Otoma, head of Shari Town’s Water and Sewerage Division, said, “The cards became so popular that the prepared supply quickly ran out, and some tourists who couldn’t get one shouted at staff.” He added, “The program started with good intentions, but we decided it would be difficult to continue.” He said the town had considered printing more cards but currently had no plans to restart the program.

According to the Manhole Card Promotion Foundation, which supports local governments that issue manhole cards, some visitors change their clothes and disguise themselves as different people to obtain multiple cards, then sell them at a markup on secondhand trading platforms.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.