Toyama City's Designer Manholes & Manhole Cards - Toyama City Tourism Association

2026年4月24日 Distribution of the Toyama City Manhole Card (9th edition), commemorating the "Manhole Summit in Toyama," has begun.

Enjoy Toyama's designer manhole covers while strolling around town

Even in the city streets where you walk around without giving it much thought, you can find manhole covers that reflect the unique character of Toyama.

Manhole covers featuring designs that reflect local characteristics are attracting attention throughout Japan, and in recent years, the number of people enjoying collecting "manhole cards" has also increased.

Currently, eight different types of manhole cover cards are being distributed in Toyama City.
Why not take a stroll around Toyama City, taking photos of manhole covers and collecting cards along the way?

(As of March 2026, 4)

table of contents

Designer manhole covers in Toyama City
What is a manhole card?
Introduction to Toyama City's manhole cover cards

Designer manhole covers in Toyama City

Let's find some designer manhole covers!

Toyama City has 27 different manhole cover designs, including those from the former towns and villages before the municipal mergers.
Colorful "local manhole covers" depicting regional characteristics delight the eyes of people walking through the city.

Furthermore, manhole covers featuring Pokémon from the popular game series "Pokémon" have also appeared, as well as designs based on "Yuru Yuri" and "Oomuro-ke," works with ties to Toyama Prefecture.

Why not enjoy a stroll through Toyama City while paying attention to the small local designs spread out at your feet?
Here, we introduce some of the designer manhole covers installed in Toyama City.

Thistle

The thistle was the official flower of Toyama City before the municipal mergers, and because the roots of the thistle have medicinal uses and are associated with "Toyama's medicine," it was selected on March 5, 1973, along with the city tree "zelkova" and the city flower tree "camellia."

Installation location: Toyama area (the area between the Jinzu River and the Joganji River)

Mizuhashi Bridge Festival and East-West Bridge

This design depicts the Mizuhashi Bridge Festival, held in Mizuhashi, in the eastern part of Toyama City. It features the East and West Bridges, cherry blossoms in full bloom, and fireworks.

Installation location: Toyama area (area east of the Joganji River)

Funabashi and permanent lights

During the Edo period, a bridge spanned the Jinzu River, which flowed through the castle town of Toyama City. This bridge consisted of 64 boats connected by iron chains and planks laid across them. Permanent lanterns were placed on both banks of the bridge, and their lights were lit throughout the night.

Installation location: Toyama area (area west of the Jinzu River)

Toyama Castle and streetcar

Toyama Castle, which was demolished in 9, was rebuilt in 29 as a symbol of reconstruction after the war. The tram loop line, which had been discontinued due to the rise of motorization, was revived through "compact urban development," resulting in a landscape where modern trams run against the backdrop of the historic Toyama Castle.

Installation location: Toyama area (area east of the Joganji River)

The Mori family, shipping agents specializing in Kitamae-bune (northern route trading ships).

Iwase, which flourished as a port of call for Kitamae ships from the Edo to Meiji periods, still retains a row of two-story wooden townhouses in the style of Higashi-Iwase shipping agent merchants. The Moriya shipping agent's house, built around 1878 after a major fire, has been designated a National Important Cultural Property due to its magnificent yet delicate design.　

Installation location: Iwase area

Owara-style Bon

The Owara Kaze no Bon festival is said to have begun in the Edo period and boasts a history of over 300 years.
The Yao region, which flourished as a key point connecting Toyama and Hida through trade in sericulture and washi paper, retains a historical landscape with cobblestone streets and rows of houses with latticed windows and white walls.

Installation location: Yao area

Hello Kitty

This is a manhole cover featuring a design created as part of a collaboration between Toyama City and "Hello Kitty."
Toyama City's original Hello Kitty is coordinated with a sparkling and transparent outfit, inspired by the city's rich natural environment and glass.

Installation location: Toyama area

Salvia and pine

I designed the "Salvia" and "Pine" motifs.
Salvia and pine were the town flower and tree of Osawano Town before the municipal merger. The town's official flower and tree is the crabapple. The fiery red color of the salvia flowers is associated with the town's passion for development.

Installation location: Osawano area

Dianthus

I designed "Nadeshiko".
The carnation was the town flower of Oyama Town before the municipal mergers. The design was submitted by a student from Kamitaki Junior High School in 4, when it was selected through a public competition.

Installation location: Oyama area

Camellia

I designed a camellia.
The camellia was the town flower and tree of Yao Town before the municipal merger, while the town tree was the pine.
The name embodies the wish to be like a camellia flower, unpretentious and able to withstand even the snow and wind.

Installation location: Yao area

Daffodil

I designed a daffodil.
The daffodil was the town flower of Fuchu Town before the municipal merger. The town tree is the "coral tree," and the flowering tree is the "azalea."

Installation location: Fuchu area

Snow camellia

I designed the "Yukitsubaki" (snow camellia).
The snow camellia was the village flower and tree of Yamada Village before the municipal mergers. The village tree chosen was the Katsura tree.
I see a parallel between the snow camellia, which endures the snow and blooms as if hiding from prying eyes, and the pure and simple people of this town.

Installation location: Yamada area

Chrysanthemums and Camellias

I designed this piece featuring chrysanthemums and camellias.
Chrysanthemums and camellias were the village flowers and flowering trees of Hosoiri Village before the municipal merger. In the center is the former Hosoiri Village emblem, which depicts a bird in flight, symbolizing the hope for the prosperity of Hosoiri Village, surrounded by its beautiful and colorful nature.

Installation location: Hosoiri area

Manhole Summit in ToyamaCommemorative

The design is based on the "Goddess of Manholes" and the "Angel of Water" who appeared in the relay talk at the Manhole Summit.
The image depicts a figure gently watching over Toyama City, with Toyama Bay and the Tateyama mountain range as its backdrop.
The color scheme incorporates elements from the former Toyama City flower, the thistle, and the current city flower, the sunflower.

Exhibition location: Toyama City Hall

Manhole and card map of Toyama City

What is a manhole card?

Manhole cards are collectible cards featuring manhole covers unique to a particular region.
This information is produced jointly by the Sewerage Public Relations Platform (GKP) and local governments and is distributed free of charge.

The front of the card features a photograph of a manhole cover, while the back describes the origin and characteristics of the design.
The first phase of distribution began on April 1, 2016, in 28 municipalities nationwide, and it is now gaining popularity in various regions.

Toyama City currently distributes eight different types of manhole cover cards. (As of April 24, 2026)

For more information about manhole cover cards, please visit the Toyama City website.

Manhole cover card, Toyama City