Manhole covers become collector’s items in Japan

Kyoto to sell its obsolete manhole covers in a bid to cash in on the public's fascination with the decorated pieces

They are heavy disks of wrought iron that separate us from our subterranean sewage, but in Japan, they are also highly coveted works of art, symbols of regional pride, and now, sources of revenue.

Local authorities are cashing in on the public's fascination with the country's decorated manhole covers, with Kyoto now joining a list of locations that are putting obsolete lids up for sale.