Japanese manhole covers

It must be nice to live in a country were design is taken seriously. In Japan everything is well thought out and given a touch of artistry, right down to the gutters. Apparently every neighborhood in every city has specific manhole covers to highlight land marks, historical events and local customs. A sizable community of "drainspotters" has sprung up to document this unlikely venue for art. Here's a Flickr set with many many examples.