Ojiya City, Niigata ‘s manhole covers
Where is the manhole cover?
Honcho, Ojiya City, Niigata （around National Route 291）
Many colored manhole covers were installed along the shopping street.
What is designed on the manhole cover?
Koi (Nishiki-koi)
Ojiya City and parts of Nagaoka City where this manhole cover is installed is the birthplace of koi.
Many koi are actively caltivated here.
Other manhole covers
Standard manhole cover
If you look closely, this manhole cover has a different design from color manhole cover.
Do you find out what is different?
It’s designed up to the scales of koi.
So it’s very nice manhole cover with attention to detail.
I feel the passion and commitment of Ojiya City.
It was raining when I visited, so it’s wet and I looked more like koi are swimming more.
It’s so cool.
Handhole Cover (water control valve cover)
This cover is a “handhhole cover (water control valve)“ that is smaller than manhole cover.
I’m going to write in detail about Difference between “handhole cover” and “manhole cover”.
koi is also designed in this handhole cover.
I feel that the color handhole cover is rare.
Probably because there are colored manhole cover nearby.
There may be non-colered handhole covers at a distance.
This is also a cool design!
Manhole Card
This was distributed at “Nishikigoi no Sato”.
The distribution location may be changed or distribution may be canceled, so please check carefully before visiting to get the card.
“Manhole card” is card-type brochure for public relations about sewerage, and aims to deepen understanding and interest in sewerage.
It is jointly produced and published by the Sewerage Public Relations Platform (Gesuido Koho Platform:GKP) and local governments nationwide.
As of May 2022, there are more than 800 types of cards nationwide.
On the surface, as shown in this photo, there is an image of the manhole cover and the coordinates where the manhole cover is located.
On the back side, the origin of the design is written.
Many people visit in getting these cards, and I’m one of them.
I’m going to write in detail about “manhole card”.
If you would like to know about other manhole cards, please visit the link below.
manhole card of link (Japanese page)
Surrounding sightseeing spots
Nishikigoi no Sato
They makes you want to see the real koi
When you look at manhole covers of koi, they will make you see the real koi.
So, I introduce the spot “Nishikigoi no Sato” where you can appreciate the graceful swimming of real koi and learn about them.
First of all, Mr Koi who took off the top hat welcomes you at the entrance.
There is also Japanese garden inside the building, where you can admire the appearance of koi swimming gracefully.
The day I visited was raining and it was a little chilly, so koi didn’t move.
”Koinobori” is one of traditional Japanese decorations.
It has shape of carp, and we hang up the carp streamers called “Koinobori” on Children’s Day.
However, the Koinobori displayed has a different design from the general Koinobori.
I also saw it of this design for the first time.
I visited near Children’s Day, so it’s unclear if it’s always there ore only at this time of year.
I feel very cool the Koinobori.
This place recommended for those who want to know about koi and want to see them swimming.
Motifs designed by koi
When I was lookinng for manhole covers, there were many motifs designed by koi.
I felt love for koi, so I would like to introduce them.
Shutters
So cool!
Mosaic tiles on the street
It’s like pixel art and so cute.
It’s amazing to express koi with tiles.
By the way, in addition to those manhole covers, there are manhole covers “Poké-futa” designed by Pokémon.
It seems that four types are installed in Ojiya City.
Also I’ll write post about the manhole coves.
A lot of koi are designed all over the town, so I felt a love for koi.
Ojiya City is fascinating city for koi Lovers.