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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Justin McCurry in Tokyo

RARE PHOTOS: Manhole covers become collector s items in japan - The Real Truth

Colorful artistic manhole cover showing two girls in kimono playing with traditional temari threaded balls in Matsumoto, Japan.
Colorful artistic manhole cover showing two girls in kimono playing with traditional temari threaded balls in Matsumoto, Japan. Photograph: Japan Stock Photography/Alamy

They are heavy disks of cast 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.

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