You’ve probably seen manhole covers. They’re those round, gray plates along streets. But have you ever seen one with Hello Kitty painted on it? In Japan, manhole covers don’t just lead to underground pipes. They’re also works of art!
In the 1980s, Japan’s sewers got an upgrade. To help people appreciate the work, the manhole covers got a makeover too.
Today, there are more than 6,000 unique designs. They include flowers, mountains, and cartoon characters, like Pokémon. There’s even a festival to celebrate them.