Day One Japan

Japan’s manhole cards.

Find one free manhole card and one place to visit in each of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Open the maps for both stops and check the official card details before you set out.

How to collect a card

Visit the designated counter in person. Cards are free, one per person for each design while supplies last. Some counters ask for a short questionnaire. Check the official pickup notice before a special trip, since stock, hours and venues can change.

At the counter, ask マンホールカードを1枚いただけますか? (“May I have one manhole card, please?”).

Official card listings checked .

Hokkaido (北海道)

Hokkaido (北海道)

Card: Sapporo city emblem · Sapporo (札幌市)

Pickup: Sapporo Eco Plaza, L-Plaza 2F (札幌市環境プラザ). About 3 minutes on foot from the north exit of JR Sapporo Station (札幌駅).

Also visit: Hokkaido University Museum (北海道大学総合博物館). Continue into the nearby university campus for natural history exhibits.

Tohoku (東北)

Aomori (青森県)

Card: Nebuta festival float and Haneto dancers · Aomori (青森市)

Pickup: Yu-sa Asamushi roadside station (道の駅浅虫温泉 ゆ~さ浅虫). About 1 minute on foot from Asamushi-Onsen Station (浅虫温泉駅) on the Aoimori Railway.

Also visit: Asamushi Aquarium (浅虫水族館). About 10 minutes on foot from the same station.

Iwate (岩手県)

Card: Wanko Kyodai, Iwate’s bowl mascots · Morioka (盛岡市)

Pickup: Iwate–Morioka Regional Tourist Information Center, Morioka Station 2F (いわて・盛岡広域観光センター). Inside JR Morioka Station (盛岡駅), near the 2F south exit.

Also visit: Morioka Castle Ruins Park (盛岡城跡公園). See the stone ramparts. The matching cover is nearby in the Iwate Prefectural Office grounds (岩手県庁).

Miyagi (宮城県)

Card: Golden Slumber film design · Sendai (仙台市)

Pickup: Sendai Mediatheque, 1F reception (せんだいメディアテーク). Take a bus from Sendai Station (仙台駅) to Mediatheque-mae (メディアテーク前).

Also visit: Jozenji-dori Avenue (定禅寺通). Walk the zelkova-lined avenue outside the pickup building.

Akita (秋田県)

Card: Tsuchizaki Port float festival · Akita (秋田市)

Pickup: Roadside Station Akita Port (SELION), entrance information desk (道の駅あきた港 セリオン). About 25 minutes on foot from Tsuchizaki Station (土崎駅), or take a bus from Akita Station (秋田駅) to SELION.

Also visit: Tsuchizaki Port History Museum (土崎みなと歴史伝承館). The port history museum is about 15 minutes on foot from the card counter.

Yamagata (山形県)

Card: March Comes in Like a Lion · Tendo (天童市)

Pickup: Tendo Shogi Museum (天童市将棋資料館). Inside JR Tendo Station (天童駅). The matching cover is in the station’s east-exit plaza.

Also visit: Mount Maizuru (Tendo Park) (舞鶴山(天童公園)). See the hilltop where Tendo stages its human shogi matches.

Fukushima (福島県)

Card: Composer Yuji Koseki at an organ · Fukushima (福島市)

Pickup: Fukushima City Tourist Information Center, JR Fukushima Station 2F (福島市観光案内所). At the 2F west exit of JR Fukushima Station (福島駅).

Also visit: Yuji Koseki Monument (古関裕而生誕100年記念モニュメント). Look for the composer at the organ in the station’s east-exit plaza.

Kanto (関東)

Ibaraki (茨城県)

Card: Mito-chan, the city mascot · Mito (水戸市)

Pickup: Mito Tourist Information Center (水戸観光案内所). Beside the ticket gates at JR Mito Station (水戸駅).

Also visit: Kodokan (弘道館). The historic former domain school is about 8 minutes from the station’s north exit.

Tochigi (栃木県)

Card: Lightline tram · Utsunomiya (宇都宮市)

Pickup: Utsunomiya Open Square, Tonarie 3F (交通未来都市うつのみやオープンスクエア). Across from the west exit of JR Utsunomiya Station (宇都宮駅).

Also visit: Gyoza Statue (餃子像). Find the carved dumpling on the station’s west-exit pedestrian deck.

Gunma (群馬県)

Card: Tomioka Silk Mill · Tomioka (富岡市)

Pickup: Former Nirazuka Silk Mill (旧韮塚製糸場). Take the Joshin Railway to Joshu-Tomioka Station (上州富岡駅) and walk toward the historic silk mills.

Also visit: Tomioka Silk Mill (富岡製糸場). See the World Heritage silk mill a short walk from the pickup.

Chiba (千葉県)

Card: Hatsune Miku · Chiba (千葉市)

Pickup: Chiba City Makuhari Tourist Information Center (千葉市幕張観光情報センター). Inside JR Kaihimmakuhari Station (海浜幕張駅), on the left after the ticket gates before the stairs.

Also visit: Mihama-en Japanese Garden (見浜園). The Japanese garden in Makuhari Seaside Park is about 8–10 minutes from the station.

Chubu (中部)

Niigata (新潟県)

Card: Bandai Bridge · Niigata (新潟市)

Pickup: Niigata Furumachi Information Center (新潟古町まちみなと情報館). Take a city bus from Niigata Station (新潟駅) toward Furumachi (古町).

Also visit: Bandai Bridge (萬代橋). Walk from Furumachi to the Shinano River crossing featured on the card.

Toyama (富山県)

Card: Akari Akaza from YuruYuri · Toyama (富山市)

Pickup: Toyama Station Tram and Public Transport Information Desk (路面電車等公共交通案内所). Beside tram platform 8 at Toyama Station (富山駅).

Also visit: Fugan Canal Kansui Park (富岩運河環水公園). Walk from the station’s north exit to the canal-side park.

Ishikawa (石川県)

Card: Kaga mizuhiki decorative cordwork · Kanazawa (金沢市)

Pickup: Kanazawa Central Tourist Information Center (金沢中央観光案内所). The counter is on the ground floor of the Kanazawa New Grand Building.

Also visit: Oyama Shrine (尾山神社). See the stained-glass gate a short walk from the counter.

Fukui (福井県)

Card: Ichijodani Asakura clan ruins · Fukui (福井市)

Pickup: Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins reconstructed town, north or south ticket counter (一乗谷朝倉氏遺跡 復原町並 南側・北側チケット売場). Use the official bus or rail directions from Fukui Station (福井駅).

Also visit: Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins (一乗谷朝倉氏遺跡). The reconstructed castle town is at the card pickup site.

Yamanashi (山梨県)

Card: Gundam and the Takeda Shingen statue · Kofu (甲府市)

Pickup: Kofu Kameyaza Cultural Exchange Center (こうふ亀屋座). About 10 minutes on foot from Kofu Station’s south exit (甲府駅南口).

Also visit: Maizuru Castle Park (Kofu Castle Ruins) (舞鶴城公園(甲府城跡)). Visit the nearby castle ruins and stone walls.

Nagano (長野県)

Card: Apples and flowers · Nagano (長野市)

Pickup: Nagano City Tourist Information Center (長野市観光情報センター). In the east–west concourse inside JR Nagano Station (長野駅).

Also visit: Zenkoji Temple (善光寺). Continue along the temple approach or take a bus from the station.

Gifu (岐阜県)

Card: F-4 Phantom jet · Kakamigahara (各務原市)

Pickup: Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum (岐阜かかみがはら航空宇宙博物館). Take a local bus from Meitetsu Kakamigahara-Shiyakusho-mae Station (各務原市役所前駅).

Also visit: Air and Space Museum exhibits (岐阜かかみがはら航空宇宙博物館). Stay to see the aircraft and space exhibits at the pickup site. Check admission separately.

Aichi (愛知県)

Card: Water strider · Nagoya (名古屋市)

Pickup: Metawater Sewerage Science Museum Nagoya (メタウォーター下水道科学館なごや). About 5 minutes on foot from Meijo Koen Station (名城公園駅), Exit 1.

Also visit: Nagoya Castle (名古屋城). Pair the museum with the castle grounds and Honmaru Palace.

Kansai (関西)

Mie (三重県)

Card: Okage-mairi pilgrimage · Ise (伊勢市)

Pickup: Iseshi Station Tourist Information Center (伊勢市駅観光案内所). Turn right outside the JR gates at Iseshi Station (伊勢市駅).

Also visit: Ise Jingu Geku (伊勢神宮 外宮). Walk along the shrine approach from the JR side of the station.

Shiga (滋賀県)

Card: Gundam · Otsu (大津市)

Pickup: Otsu Station Tourist Information Center (大津駅観光案内所). At JR Otsu Station (大津駅).

Also visit: Otsu Lakeside Nagisa Park (大津湖岸なぎさ公園). Continue to Omatsuri Plaza (おまつり広場) on the Lake Biwa waterfront.

Hyogo (兵庫県)

Card: Goshikizuka burial mound and Goshikimaro · Kobe (神戸市)

Pickup: Goshikizuka Kofun Museum (五色塚古墳館). About 10 minutes from Tarumi Station (垂水駅) or 5 minutes from Sanyo Kasumigaoka Station (霞ヶ丘駅).

Also visit: Goshikizuka Burial Mound (五色塚古墳). The reconstructed mound next to the museum overlooks the Akashi Strait.

Nara (奈良県)

Card: Deer and double cherry blossoms · Nara (奈良市)

Pickup: Naramachi South Tourist Information Center Mayu (奈良町南観光案内所 繭・まゆ). About 10 minutes on foot from JR Kyobate Station (京終駅).

Also visit: Gangoji Temple (元興寺). Pair the pickup with the World Heritage temple in Naramachi (奈良町).

Wakayama (和歌山県)

Card: Kishu temari embroidered ball · Wakayama (和歌山市)

Pickup: Wakayama History Museum, second-floor exhibition room (わかやま歴史館 2階 歴史展示室). About 10 minutes on foot from Nankai Wakayamashi Station (和歌山市駅).

Also visit: Wakayama Castle (和歌山城). The museum is by the castle park.

Chugoku (中国地方)

Okayama (岡山県)

Card: Momotaro · Okayama (岡山市)

Pickup: Okayama City Momotaro Tourist Information Center (岡山市ももたろう観光センター).

Also visit: Okayama Korakuen Garden (岡山後楽園). Cross the river from the castle side for the garden paths and ponds.

Hiroshima (広島県)

Card: G7 Hiroshima Summit · Hiroshima (広島市)

Pickup: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Rest House (広島市平和記念公園レストハウス).

Also visit: Peace Memorial Park (平和記念公園). The pickup is inside the park, where you can visit the memorials and museum.

Yamaguchi (山口県)

Card: Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival · Yamaguchi (山口市)

Pickup: Yamaguchi Tourist Information Center (山口観光案内所).

Also visit: Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church (山口サビエル記念聖堂). Continue from JR Yamaguchi Station (山口駅) to the church in the center of town.

Shikoku (四国)

Tokushima (徳島県)

Card: Tokushii mascot · Tokushima (徳島市)

Pickup: Awa Odori Kaikan, 1F information desk (阿波おどり会館 1階観光案内コーナー).

Also visit: Mount Bizan Ropeway (あわぎん眉山ロープウエイ). The ropeway leaves from the same building as the card counter.

Kagawa (香川県)

Card: Nasu no Yoichi · Takamatsu (高松市)

Pickup: Citizen Service Center, Kawaramachi FLAG 8F (市民サービスセンター 瓦町FLAG8階).

Also visit: Takamatsu Central Shopping Arcades (高松中央商店街). Head from Kawaramachi (瓦町) into the covered shopping streets.

Kochi (高知県)

Card: Ryuga Cave mascot Ryu-kun · Kami (香美市)

Pickup: Ryuga Cave Tourist Center (龍河洞観光センター).

Also visit: Ryuga Cave (龍河洞). The cave entrance is beside the tourist center. Check the operator’s admission and access information.

Kyushu and Okinawa (九州・沖縄)

Saga (佐賀県)

Card: Sagan Tosu football club · Tosu (鳥栖市)

Pickup: Shin-Tosu Station Tourist Information Center (新鳥栖駅観光案内所).

Also visit: Mount Asahi Park (朝日山公園). Walk from Shin-Tosu Station (新鳥栖駅) toward the park for a hillside outing.

Nagasaki (長崎県)

Card: Yowamushi Pedal · Nagasaki (長崎市)

Pickup: Former Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Nagasaki Branch Memorial Museum (長崎市旧香港上海銀行長崎支店記念館).

Also visit: Glover Garden (グラバー園). Continue uphill from the former bank to the hillside gardens and historic houses.

Oita (大分県)

Card: Beppu hot springs and city landmarks · Beppu (別府市)

Pickup: Wander Compass Beppu, Beppu Station (別府駅観光案内所 ワンダーコンパス別府).

Also visit: Takegawara Onsen (竹瓦温泉). Walk from Beppu Station (別府駅) to the historic public bathhouse.

Miyazaki (宮崎県)

Card: Japanese iris, Miyazaki’s city flower · Miyazaki (宮崎市)

Pickup: Miyazaki City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau (宮崎市上下水道局).

Also visit: Oyodo River green space, Tsurushima (大淀川市民緑地(鶴島地区)). Continue to the riverside green space in the same neighborhood.

Kagoshima (鹿児島県)

Card: Magunyon, the volcano fairy · Kagoshima (鹿児島市)

Pickup: Kagoshima City Tourist Information, CenTerrace Tenmonkan 1F (鹿児島市観光案内所 センテラス天文館1階).

Also visit: Tenmonkan shopping district (天文館). Explore the shops and covered arcades around the card counter.

Okinawa (沖縄県)

Card: Shuri Castle with bingata patterns · Naha (那覇市)

Pickup: Suimukan Information Desk, Shurijo Castle Park (首里城公園 首里杜館 総合案内所).

Also visit: Shurijo Castle Park (首里城公園). The pickup is inside the castle park. Check the park’s current visitor route.

More designs and detailed pickup routes

Find station exits, pickup hours and street cover locations in these guides.

Tokyo (東京都)

Astro Boy · Akihabara (秋葉原)

Pickup: Akiba Info, Akihabara UDX 2F (アキバ・インフォ).

Nearest station: Akihabara Station (秋葉原駅). Use the JR Electric Town Exit.

Hours: 11:00–17:30. Closed Monday, or the following weekday when Monday is a public holiday.

Street cover: On the sidewalk outside Meiji University’s Liberty Tower in Kanda Surugadai.

March Comes in Like a Lion · Sendagaya (千駄ヶ谷)

Pickup: Sendagaya Social Education Center, 1F reception (渋谷区立千駄ヶ谷社会教育館).

Nearest station: Sendagaya Station (千駄ケ谷駅). About 5 minutes on foot from the yellow JR Chuo-Sobu Local (JB12) or Kokuritsu-kyogijo (国立競技場駅, E25).

Hours: 10:00–17:00. Closed Monday and 29 December–3 January.

Street cover: The ward’s map shows the Rei Kiriyama design and the other covers around Sendagaya.

Day trips from Tokyo (東京)

Bell of Time and warehouses · Kawagoe (川越)

Pickup: Hon-Kawagoe Station Tourist Information Center (本川越駅観光案内所).

Nearest station: Hon-Kawagoe Station (本川越駅). Use the counter outside the Seibu Shinjuku Line gates.

Hours: 09:00–17:00. The counter asks for a short questionnaire.

Street cover: On the sidewalk between Kawagoe City Hall and Kawagoe City Museum. See the city’s pickup page for the exact position.

Lucky Star · Washinomiya (鷲宮)

Pickup: Kuki City Washinomiya Administrative Center (久喜市役所鷲宮行政センター).

Nearest station: Washinomiya Station (鷲宮駅). Take the Tobu Isesaki Line.

Hours: 08:45–16:30. Weekdays at the sewerage desk (下水道施設課) on 2F. Weekends and public holidays at the rear entrance security desk (警備員室). Check the city page for year-end closures.

Street cover: Look for the matching design around Washinomiya Shrine (鷲宮神社).

Perry and the Black Ships · Yokosuka (横須賀)

Pickup: Yokosuka City Tourist Information (横須賀市観光案内所).

Nearest station: Yokosuka-chuo Station (横須賀中央駅). Use the Keikyu East Gate.

Hours: 09:30–17:00. Closed 31 December–3 January. Short questionnaire.

Street cover: In the Ikoi no Hiroba plaza (いこいの広場) in Verny Park.

Sukajan embroidered jacket · Yokosuka (横須賀)

Pickup: Thibaudier Residence in Verny Park (よこすか近代遺産ミュージアム ティボディエ邸).

Nearest station: Shioiri Station (汐入駅). The park is also beside JR Yokosuka Station (横須賀駅).

Hours: Normally 09:00–17:00. Check the city page for temporary changes to the counter or opening hours.

Kyoto (京都) and Osaka (大阪)

Waterworks fireflies · Kyoto (京都)

Pickup: Lake Biwa Canal Museum (琵琶湖疏水記念館).

Nearest station: Keage Station (蹴上駅). Take the Tōzai subway (T09), then walk about 7 minutes from Exit 1.

Hours: 09:00–16:30. Closed Monday, or the following weekday when Monday is a public holiday, and 29 December–3 January.

Street cover: The Sumito-kun and Hikari-chan design is on the museum grounds during opening hours.

Kinnikuman · Osaka (大阪)

Pickup: Osaka Sewerage Science Museum (ミザック下水道科学館 OSAKA).

Nearest station: Yodogawa Station (淀川駅). About 7 minutes on foot from the Hanshin Main Line.

Hours: 09:30–17:00, last admission 16:30. Closed Wednesday, or the following weekday when Wednesday is a public holiday, and 28 December–4 January. The city asks visitors to tour the museum and complete a questionnaire.

Street cover: Find the Kinnikuman cover in Osaka Castle Park.

Fukuoka (福岡) and northern Kyushu (北部九州)

Mount Hōman (宝満山) · Dazaifu (太宰府)

Pickup: Dazaifu Tourist Information inside Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station through 22 December 2026 (太宰府市観光案内所).

Nearest station: Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station (西鉄太宰府駅).

Hours: 09:00–17:00 daily at the temporary station counter. The regular venue is Dazaifukan (太宰府館), normally 10:00–18:00 with Wednesday closures. Check the city’s notices for the switchover and alternate holiday pickup. Short questionnaire.

Street cover: On the sidewalk about 150 meters west of the Kamado Shrine (竈門神社) parking lot. Take the Mahoroba bus to Uchiyama (内山).

Maetel from Galaxy Express 999 · Kitakyushu (北九州)

Pickup: Kitakyushu Manga Museum, Aruaru City 6F main exhibition reception (北九州市漫画ミュージアム).

Nearest station: Kokura Station (小倉駅). Use the North Exit (Shinkansen Exit).

Hours: 11:00–19:00, last admission 18:30. Closed Tuesday, or the next day when Tuesday is a public holiday, plus New Year and maintenance closures. Ask whether the English edition is available.

Street cover: The city’s cover map shows where to look around Kokura Station.