Within a couple of days, I came across two references to Japan’s colorful, elaborate, and dare I say, artistically beautiful manhole covers. One in an Internet video compilation of things that make Japan special, and one just now when I visit the Atlas Obscura website that Steve Miller linked to ... a colorful, elaborately designed manhole cover is featured on the main webpage.

When I first see those beautiful man hole covers, I thought to myself “why aren’t these more commonly used in other cities?” I also thought, “these are so pretty, I want to hang one in the house for decoration!”

Then it dawned on me ... if these beautiful man hole covers are left on the streets as man hole covers normally are, they will be stolen in no time. Japan may be one of the extremely few places where they can leave beautiful things on the streets and not worry about them getting stolen.

When I was in Japan I noticed their vending machines...interesting food items, tea, etc. can all be had in vending machines. Very different from here.

It's a matter of perspective. American manhole covers are beautiful to me, but I don't want to steal one, nor hang one on my wall! LOL.