Pikachu Manhole Was Not an Expected Combination of Words, But Here We Are

Pikachu is coming to the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto's Uji city—but not in the way you might expect! Discover the charming world of Poké Lids, adorning streets across Japan.

Nintendo Museum Unveils its Own Poké Lid

Pikachu Peeking from a Poké Lid

Prepare for a unique Pokémon experience! The new Nintendo Museum boasts a special Pokémon manhole cover featuring Pikachu, the beloved mascot.

Poké Lids, or Pokéfuta, are beautifully designed manhole covers showcasing various Pokémon. These artistic additions grace sidewalks nationwide, often depicting Pokémon associated with the local area. The Nintendo Museum's Poké Lid celebrates Nintendo's history and Pokémon's enduring popularity. The design cleverly incorporates Pikachu and a Poké Ball emerging from a classic Game Boy, surrounded by pixelated elements, evoking nostalgic gaming memories.

Intriguing lore surrounds these covers. According to the Poké Lid website: "Poké Lids... have recently started appearing. Rumor has it that Diglett may be responsible for digging the holes, and artists are ‘marking’ the covers to distinguish them."

The Nintendo Museum's Poké Lid isn't the first of its kind. Many Japanese cities use these colorful covers to revitalize areas and attract tourists. For example, Fukuoka features an Alolan Dugtrio Poké Lid, while Ojiya City showcases Magikarp, its Shiny form, and Gyarados. Many Poké Lids even serve as PokéStops in Pokémon GO, allowing players to collect and share postcards.

Poké Lids are part of Japan's Pokémon Local Acts campaign, using Pokémon to promote different regions. This initiative boosts local economies and highlights regional geography. With over 250 Poké Lids installed, the campaign continues to grow.

The campaign began in December 2018 with Eevee-themed Poké Lids in Kagoshima Prefecture and expanded nationwide in July 2019.

The Nintendo Museum opens October 2nd, celebrating Nintendo's history from its playing card origins. If you visit, be sure to search for the Pikachu Poké Lid! For more on the Nintendo Museum, see our related article.