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 across Japan.
Nintendo Museum Gets Its Own Poké Lid
Pikachu’s Peeking Out the Poké Lid
Prepare to embark on a new kind of Pokémon adventure right under your feet! The upcoming Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan, is set to feature a distinctive addition to its exterior: a one-of-a-kind Pokémon manhole cover showcasing the iconic Pikachu.
Poké Lids, or Pokéfuta, are intricately designed manhole covers adorned with Pokémon characters that have become a cherished phenomenon across Japanese cities. These artistic street fixtures often showcase local Pokémon associated with specific regions. The Nintendo Museum is now part of this initiative, featuring a Poké Lid that celebrates both the museum's focus on Nintendo's storied history and the enduring appeal of Pokémon.
The design beautifully captures the essence of the franchise, 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 lore. 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 the first of its kind. Several other cities throughout Japan have embraced these colorful manhole covers as a way to revitalize local areas and attract tourists. For example, Fukuoka features a unique Poké Lid depicting Alolan Dugtrio, a regional variant of the classic Pokémon. In Ojiya City, Magikarp takes center stage on a series of manhole covers, alongside its shiny form and evolved form, Gyarados. To further boost tourism, these Poké Lids also serve as special PokéStops in Pokémon GO, allowing players to collect postcards to share with friends worldwide.
Poké Lids are a unique aspect of Japan’s Pokémon Local Acts campaign, where Pokémon serve as ambassadors for various regions. These initiatives aim to boost local economies and promote a region’s topography.
Poké Lids extend this concept by offering special utility covers, each featuring a unique Pokémon design. With over 250 Poké Lids installed to date, the campaign continues to grow.
The initiative began in December 2018 with a special Eevee Celebration in Kagoshima Prefecture, introducing Eevee-themed Poké Lids. In July 2019, the campaign expanded nationwide, incorporating a wider variety of Pokémon designs.
The Nintendo Museum is scheduled to open its doors on October 2nd of this year. It not only pays homage to the gaming giant’s century-long history, dating back to its origins as a playing card manufacturer, but also strikes a nostalgic chord with players. If you're planning a visit, Nintendo has a fun challenge for you: try to find the Pikachu Poké Lid.
For more information on the upcoming Nintendo Museum, check out our article below!
