Pikachu Manhole Cover: Unexpected Sight in Japan

Pokémon's Pikachu is set to appear at the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto's Uji city, but not in the way you might expect! Read on to learn more about these charming Poké Lids found throughout Japan.

Nintendo Museum Gets Its Own Poké LidPikachu's Peeking Out of the Poké Lid

Get ready to catch ‘em all on the ground—or rather, under it! The forthcoming Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan, has unveiled a unique addition to its exterior: a one-of-a-kind Pokémon manhole featuring the franchise’s charming mascot, Pikachu.

Poké Lids or Pokéfuta, as they’re fondly called, are elaborately designed manhole covers featuring Pokémon characters that have become a cherished phenomenon, adorning sidewalks in cities across the country. These artistic street features often depict local Pokémon associated with a specific area. Now, the Nintendo Museum joins this initiative with a Poké Lid that pays tribute to both the museum’s focus on Nintendo’s rich history and the enduring popularity of Pokémon.

The design affectionately references the franchise’s origins, featuring Pikachu and a Pokéball emerging from a classic Game Boy, surrounded by pixelated trails that evoke the nostalgic appeal of early gaming.

These manhole covers have even sparked their own legend. As the Poké Lid website explains, "Poké Lids, artistic covers for utility holes, have recently started to be spotted in some cities. Who knows if they are of Pokémonopolistic nature? It seems that not all utility holes are man-made; rumor has it that Diglett may be responsible for digging large enough holes to be mistaken for utility holes and some artists took it upon themselves to ‘mark’ the covers to differentiate them from ordinary ones. Where will the next ‘mark’ be?"

The Nintendo Museum’s Poké Lid is not the first of its kind. Several other cities throughout Japan have embraced these colorful manhole covers as a way to enhance local areas and attract tourists. Fukuoka, for instance, features a unique Poké Lid depicting Alolan Dugtrio, a regional variant of the classic Pokémon. In Ojiya City, Magikarp takes center stage on a series of manhole covers, alongside its shiny form and evolved form, Gyarados. To further boost tourism, these Poké Lids also function as special PokéStops in Pokémon GO, allowing players to collect postcards to share with friends worldwide.

Poké Lids are a novel initiative within Japan’s Pokémon Local Acts campaign, where Pokémon act as ambassadors for diverse regions in Japan. Not only do these aim to bolster local economies, they also serve to promote a region’s geography.

Poké Lids expand this concept by offering special utility lids, with each one showcasing a unique Pokémon design. With over 250 Poké Lids installed to date, the campaign continues to grow.

The initiative commenced in December 2018 as a special Eevee Celebration in Kagoshima Prefecture, where Eevee-themed Poké Lids debuted. In July 2019, the campaign broadened nationwide, encompassing a wider array of Pokémon designs.

The Nintendo Museum is scheduled to open on October 2nd of this year. It not only celebrates the gaming giant’s century-long history, originating from its early days as a playing card manufacturer, but also evokes strong nostalgic feelings for players. If you’re planning a visit, Nintendo has a challenge for you: try to locate the Pikachu Poké Lid.

For more information on the forthcoming Nintendo Museum, check out our article below!