12 Major League Players' Manhole Covers Unveiled in Japan

Manhole Covers Celebrating Famous Baseball Players in Japan

MLB (Major League Baseball) will install original-designed manhole covers for 12 Japanese players who are actively contributing in the league, each at a location related to the player's baseball roots.

This initiative started on June 16. The 12 types of manhole covers are designed by different artists, expressing each player's "story" and personality.

Additionally, each manhole cover features AR (augmented reality) content. By scanning the local manhole with a smartphone, viewers can enjoy an amazing short video right on the spot.

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Installation Started from Iwate on June 16

Starting with Shohei Ohtani from Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture, Yusei Kikuchi from Morioka, and Roki Sasaki from Rikuzentakata, the manhole cover installation will proceed sequentially based on each player's game schedule in MLB.

For detailed information on installation locations, updates will be posted regularly on MLB Japan's official Instagram.

Map of Japanese Players' Manhole Cover Locations

Monday, June 16 — Shohei Ohtani (Iwate Prefecture)

Shohei Ohtani's manhole cover is at the west entrance of JR Mizusawa Esashi Station in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture.

Monday, June 16 — Yusei Kikuchi (Iwate Prefecture)

Yusei Kikuchi's manhole cover is at Tonan Library in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture.

Monday, June 16 — Roki Sasaki (Iwate Prefecture)

Roki Sasaki's manhole cover is at Machino Engawa, a facility next to Rikuzentakata Station in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture.

Tuesday, June 17 — Yu Darvish (Osaka Prefecture)

Yu Darvish's manhole cover installation location is at LIC Hibikino, a public life and cultural information center in Hibarino City, Osaka Prefecture.

Wednesday, June 18 — Yuki Matsui (Kanagawa Prefecture)

Yuki Matsui's manhole cover installation location is in front of Kiriko Gakuen Junior and Senior High School in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Wednesday, June 19 — Shota Imanaga (Fukuoka Prefecture)

Imanaga Shota's manhole cover installation location is near the south entrance of Seba no Mori Park in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Manhole Cover Installation Schedule for Other Players

June 23 (Monday) — Lars Nootbaar in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture
June 24 (Tuesday) — Seiya Suzuki in Tokyo's Arakawa Ward
June 25 (Wednesday) — Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
June 26 (Thursday) — Masataka Yoshida in Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture
June 27 (Friday) — Kodai Senga in Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture
June 29 (Sunday) — Tomoyuki Kanno in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Enjoy with Videos! Official Footage of the Original Manhole Covers Released

In conjunction with this activity, MLB Japan’s official account has released behind-the-scenes videos showing the process of creating the original manhole covers!

計算されたディテール。注がれる熱い情熱。鮮やかな個性。いよいよ来週から、MLBで活躍する日本人選手達のふるさとに彼らを称える特別なマンホールが登場する。日本各地へヒーロー達の物語を見に行こう。#ベースボールは唯一無二 pic.twitter.com/SFWfXT5JGH

— MLB Japan (@MLBJapan) June 11, 2025

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