Hello everyone, I'm Keko, one of the online staff members.
While walking around Uji, I noticed a few people taking pictures. Curious, I took a closer look and saw they were photographing manhole covers. Just like license plates that vary by city, manhole cover designs also differ from place to place, making them a fun subject for photography enthusiasts.
I realized that despite seeing these covers daily, I never really paid attention to their designs. This piqued my curiosity, so I decided to take a stroll and find out what Uji's manhole covers look like.
After some searching, I found one and took a good look. Here’s what I observed:
From my knowledge, I could identify the "San-no-ma" of Uji Bridge and what seemed to be maple leaves. After some research, I discovered the design elements:
The "San-no-ma" of Uji Bridge ✅
Maple leaves representing the city tree, "Iroha Momiji" ✅
River mist rising over the water ✅
Interestingly, while not part of the manhole covers, I also found that the drainage covers in Uji feature the "Iroha Momiji" design, clearly labeled as the city tree.
Each manhole cover is a reflection of the local specialties, history, culture, industries, and products. By looking at a city's manhole covers, you can gain insight into what makes that place unique.
The standard design of manhole covers throughout Uji City includes the "San-no-ma" of Uji Bridge, where Toyotomi Hideyoshi once drew water for tea, an event still commemorated during the Uji Tea Festival with the "Ceremony of Drawing Sacred Water." The covers also feature the city tree, "Iroha Momiji," and the river mist.
Though I didn’t find it myself, I’ve heard there’s another design that incorporates tea leaves around the city emblem. Exploring manhole covers can be a delightful way to learn about Uji's rich heritage and vibrant culture. Happy exploring!