I can remember being eight years old and asking for a Nintendo 64 for Christmas back in 1999. I was lucky enough to receive the classic console (which remains a favorite of mine to this very day), but I'll never forget the conversation I had with my mother the following day. My mom, sounding a little guilty, explained to me that she was going to buy me the limited edition Pikachu version of the console, but felt the need to explain to me that Pokémon was a fad and that I was going to grow out of it in a couple of years. That may have been the first time my mom lied to me, because I never grew out of Pokémon and the franchise is as strong today as it's ever been! With the release of Pokémon GO, Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee, and Detective Pikachu in recent years, the beloved franchise doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. And if you need any more proof of this, Pokémon has once again taken over the streets - this time in Japan. In Japan, many of their cities and towns usually have detailed manhole covers that are actually quite beautiful (when compared to ours). Each design is meant to reflect the local history or culture. Check them out below: <img class="size-full wp-image-12546282" src="https://img.vt.co/2019/08/Screen-Shot-2019-08-14-at-14.42.46.jpg" alt="A manhole cover in Ibusuki City" width="786" height="872" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Ibusuki City]] <img class="size-full wp-image-12546281" src="https://img.vt.co/2019/08/Screen-Shot-2019-08-14-at-14.42.50.jpg" alt="A manhole cover in Ibusuki City" width="780" height="884" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Ibusuki City]] But earlier this year, the city of Ibusuki <a href="https://www.city.ibusuki.lg.jp/main/kyosei/seikatsu/gesuido/page013735.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">unveiled</a> a series of manhole covers that were dedicated to Eevee and its multiple evolutions. (They did this because Ibusuki sounds like "Eevee suki" or "Eevee likes" in Japan.) [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/saopicachu/status/1160490561154850816]] Now, there are Pokémon manholes popping up all over the place, many of them designed once again with the purpose of reflecting the local area. For example, the Rock-type Pokémon Geodude, Tyrunt, and Onix all have their own manholes in Iwate Prefecture - as "iwa" (岩) refers to rocks. Check out some of the awesome designs people have been hunting below: [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/PokemonGo_neko/status/1161519513109770244]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/kaeru9/status/1161505077598806016]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/nishi_yokohama/status/1158663436848390144]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/yukitan1816/status/1160676201200939008]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/kaeru9/status/1161493129259900929]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/kinderpflegerin/status/1160531771303157760]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Reona_PikaLove/status/1160463863264845826]] Per <a href="https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/pokemon-manhole-covers-have-started-appearing-in-small-towns-across-japan-080719" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Time Out Tokyo</a>, this is all part of a project called Pokémon Local Acts, which want to drive more tourism to the areas. Manhole-spotting is a popular pastime when traveling within Japan, and many visitors enjoy searching for the different manhole covers across the country. Oh, and if you needed another reason to check out the covers, they also double as Pokéstops in Pokémon GO - so go get you some potions. Absolutely adorable! I'm definitely booking my flights to Japan, because I've gotta see 'em all!

Pokémon manholes are popping up all over Japan

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