Ota City has begun a permanent exhibition of design manhole covers for manhole enthusiasts visiting the city. The exhibition features two design manhole covers owned by the city, displayed on pedestals created by students from Ota Technical High School in Gunma Prefecture!
Come see these design manholes, also known as "foot art" or "art beneath your feet"!
Exhibition Location
2-35 Hamacho, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture
Ota City Hall Main Building, 8th Floor - Elevator Hall
Exhibition Period
From Friday, March 6, Reiwa 8 (2026), 4:00 PM to closing
*As this is a permanent exhibition, from Monday, March 9 onward, it can be viewed on weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM.
What Are Design Manholes (Local Manholes)?
Design manholes are colorfully designed manhole covers that feature regional characteristics, created by each municipality to deepen understanding and interest in sewage systems. The production of manholes with unique designs for each municipality spread in the 1980s as a way to improve the image of sewage systems. Such design manholes as local culture are said to be a uniquely Japanese phenomenon.
Permanent Exhibition Made Possible Through Cooperation with Ota Technical High School
Ota City's two design manholes have long attracted a steady number of manhole enthusiasts. The city decided to consolidate the two design manholes in one location to make them easier for fans to view, but there was only one pedestal available, and it was broken...
When the city consulted with Ota Technical High School, they readily agreed to help. Three second-year students from the mechanical engineering department used their welding skills acquired in class to create a new pedestal and repair the existing one! They also made a spare pedestal to accommodate future additions to the design manhole collection.
