Unexpected Pikachu Manhole Cover Revealed

Pokémon's beloved mascot, Pikachu, is set to make a unique appearance at the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto's Uji city, but not in the way you might expect. Dive into the fascinating world of Poké Lids, the artistic manhole covers featuring Pokémon characters that are scattered throughout Japan.

Nintendo Museum Gets Its Own Poké Lid

Pikachu’s Peeking Out the Poké Lid

Prepare to embark on a new kind of Pokémon hunt—right on the streets of Kyoto! The eagerly anticipated Nintendo Museum is set to feature a distinctive addition: a custom Pokémon manhole cover showcasing Pikachu, the iconic face of the franchise.

Poké Lids, or Pokéfuta, are intricately designed manhole covers adorned with Pokémon characters, which have become a cherished part of Japan's urban landscape. These artistic street fixtures often highlight Pokémon native to specific regions, adding a local flavor to each design. The Nintendo Museum's Poké Lid is a special tribute, celebrating both the museum's focus on Nintendo's storied history and the global phenomenon of Pokémon.

The design beautifully captures the essence of Pokémon's origins, with Pikachu and a Pokéball emerging from a classic Game Boy, surrounded by pixelated trails that evoke the nostalgic charm of early gaming.

These manhole covers have even inspired their own mythology. According to the Poké Lid website, "Poké Lids, artistic covers for utility holes, have recently started to be spotted in some cities. Who knows if they are of Pokémonopolistic nature? It seems that not all utility holes are man-made; rumor has it that Diglett may be responsible for digging large enough holes to be mistaken for utility holes and some artists took it upon themselves to ‘mark’ the covers to differentiate them from ordinary ones. Where will the next ‘mark’ be?"

The Nintendo Museum's Poké Lid is not a solitary phenomenon. Several cities across Japan have embraced these colorful manhole covers to revitalize local areas and draw tourists. Fukuoka, for example, boasts a unique Poké Lid featuring Alolan Dugtrio, a regional variant of the classic Pokémon. In Ojiya City, Magikarp and its evolved form, Gyarados, take the spotlight on a series of manhole covers. These Poké Lids also serve as special PokéStops in Pokémon GO, allowing players to collect and share postcards with friends worldwide.

Poké Lids are a key part of Japan's Pokémon Local Acts campaign, where Pokémon characters act as ambassadors for various regions, boosting local economies and promoting regional topography. With over 250 Poké Lids installed so far, the initiative continues to grow.

The campaign kicked off in December 2018 with an Eevee Celebration in Kagoshima Prefecture, introducing Eevee-themed Poké Lids. It expanded nationwide in July 2019, incorporating a broader range of Pokémon designs.

The Nintendo Museum is scheduled to open on October 2nd, celebrating Nintendo's rich history from its origins as a playing card manufacturer to its status as a gaming giant. If you're planning a visit, don't miss the challenge to find the Pikachu Poké Lid.

For more details on the upcoming Nintendo Museum, check out our article below!