Hakuba’s Manholes

In the quiet town of Hakuba, nestled in the Japanese Alps, there’s a hidden art gallery that few tourists notice at first. It isn’t in a museum or an exhibition hall; instead, this gallery lies beneath your feet, scattered across the town’s streets in the form of manhole covers.

Each manhole cover in Hakuba is a small masterpiece. The designs vary, but many depict the town’s natural beauty—the towering peaks of the Northern Alps, the serene Hakuba Valley, and the delicate cherry blossoms that signal the arrival of spring. Some even feature playful illustrations of animals, from the nimble Japanese macaques to the majestic snow leopards that are rumored to roam the highest mountains.

The story behind these artistic manholes began decades ago when a local artist, inspired by the town’s breathtaking landscape, proposed an idea to the town council. He believed that even something as mundane as a manhole cover could be transformed into a canvas, celebrating Hakuba’s unique charm. The council, intrigued by the idea, decided to commission a series of designs that would turn the streets into a walking tour of Hakuba’s natural and cultural heritage.

As word spread, the manholes became a point of pride for the community. Local schoolchildren would embark on scavenger hunts to find all the different designs, learning about their town’s history and nature along the way. Tourists, too, began to notice, snapping photos of the intricate covers as they strolled through the streets.

But the manholes are more than just pretty pictures; they’re symbols of the town’s resilience. Hakuba is known for its harsh winters, with heavy snowfalls that can blanket the entire region. Yet, even during the toughest storms, the manholes remain visible, a reminder that beauty and art can endure through the hardest of times.

In the end, Hakuba’s manhole covers became more than just functional pieces of infrastructure—they became storytellers. Each cover whispers tales of the town’s history, its people, and the majestic landscape that surrounds them. So, the next time you find yourself in Hakuba, remember to look down. You might just discover a piece of the town’s soul, hidden in plain sight.