Nintendo Museum Gets A Pikachu-Themed Manhole Cover

As a long-time Nintendo enthusiast and Pokémon trainer, I can hardly contain my excitement over the new Pokémon-themed manhole covers gracing the streets of Japan! Growing up with a Game Boy in one hand and a Pikachu plushie in the other, these designs are a heartwarming nod to our shared history.


In Kyoto, the Nintendo Museum will soon showcase a unique manhole cover inspired by Pokémon, specifically showcasing Pikachu. This design depicts Pikachu jumping from a GameBoy, leaving pixelated trails behind as he leaps.

In an official blog post, Nintendo unveiled the unexpected street art addition inspired by their franchise, offering a more detailed view to potential museum visitors. While Pikachu is not the sole character gracing these themed manhole covers, other Pokémon like Golem and Vulpix are also showcased. In various Japanese cities, these manhole covers have been sprouting up, forming a collection. Nintendo has also provided a map indicating the location of each cover, which they’ve named “Poké Lids,” along with a brief explanation as to their origins.

Artistic caps for utility openings, known as Poké Lids, are cropping up in various urban areas. Some speculate whether these designs have a connection to the Pokémon market. It appears that not every utility hole is human-made; it’s said that Diglett could be the one responsible for creating large holes, which might resemble utility openings. Artists seem to be adding unique touches to these covers to distinguish them from ordinary ones. Will we see more of these creative marks in our cities soon?

Poké Lids are probably designed to serve as fun and unique marketing tools for the upcoming Nintendo Museum, set to open on October 2 in Kyoto, Japan. Previously a site called the Ogura Plant, this location was where Nintendo used to produce trading cards and provide console repair services.

During a Nintendo Direct in September 2023, Nintendo enthusiasts got their initial glimpse of the museum. It was announced there that the museum would showcase a diverse assortment of items spanning Nintendo’s historical background, with manholes among them, it seems.

Read More

2024-09-12 00:08