Pikachu Manhole Cover: Unexpected Discovery

Pokémon's Pikachu is set to appear at the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto's Uji city, but not in the way you might expect! Read on to learn more about these charming Poké Lids found throughout Japan.

Nintendo Museum Gets Its Own Poké LidPikachu's Peeking Out of the Poké Lid

Get ready to capture them all on the ground—or rather, beneath it! The forthcoming Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan, has revealed a unique addition to its exterior: a one-of-a-kind Pokémon manhole featuring the franchise’s charming mascot, Pikachu.

Poké Lids, or Pokéfuta, as they’re fondly called, are elaborately designed manhole covers featuring Pokémon characters that have become a cherished phenomenon, adorning pavements in cities nationwide. These artistic street features often depict local Pokémon associated with a specific area. Now, the Nintendo Museum joins this initiative with a Poké Lid that honors both the museum’s focus on Nintendo’s rich history and the enduring appeal of Pokémon.

The design affectionately references the franchise’s origins, featuring Pikachu and a Pokéball emerging from a classic Game Boy, surrounded by pixelated trails that evoke the nostalgic allure of early gaming.

These manhole covers have even sparked their own legend. As the Poké Lid website explains, "Poké Lids, artistic covers for utility openings, have recently begun appearing in some cities. Who knows if they are of Pokémonopolistic origin? It seems that not all utility openings are man-made; rumor has it that Diglett may be responsible for digging large enough openings to be mistaken for utility openings and some artists took it upon themselves to ‘mark’ the covers to distinguish them from ordinary ones. Where will the next ‘mark’ be?"

The Nintendo Museum’s Poké Lid is not the first of its kind. Several other cities across Japan have adopted these colorful manhole covers as a way to enhance local areas and attract visitors. Fukuoka, for example, features a unique Poké Lid depicting Alolan Dugtrio, a regional variant of the classic Pokémon. In Ojiya City, Magikarp takes center stage on a series of manhole covers, alongside its shiny form and evolved form, Gyarados. To further boost tourism, these Poké Lids also function as special PokéStops in Pokémon GO, allowing players to collect postcards to share globally.

Poké Lids are a novel initiative within Japan’s Pokémon Local Acts campaign, where Pokémon act as ambassadors for various Japanese regions. These aim not only to boost local economies, but also to promote regional topography.

Poké Lids expand this concept by providing special utility covers, each showcasing a unique Pokémon design. With over 250 Poké Lids deployed to date, the campaign continues to grow.

The initiative commenced in December 2018 as a special Eevee Celebration in Kagoshima Prefecture, where Eevee-themed Poké Lids debuted. In July 2019, the campaign broadened nationwide, encompassing a wider array of Pokémon designs.

The Nintendo Museum is scheduled to open on October 2nd of this year. Not only does it honor the gaming giant’s century-long history, stemming from its early days as a playing card manufacturer, but it also evokes nostalgic feelings for players. If you’re planning a visit, Nintendo has a challenge for you: try to locate the Pikachu Poké Lid.

For more information on the forthcoming Nintendo Museum, check out our article below!