A to J

Amanohashidate. Kyoto Prefecture. Sorry it's a bit grubby. It's also very small, note the shoe.

Amanohashidate. It was really bucketing down and getting good shots was hard. This came out the best because the sand provided a bit of contrast.

Amanohashidate.

Amanohashidate. This one is completely submerged. The strange light patterns are due to Bean and Medge holding brollies for me to try to control the glare.

Arashiyama. Kyoto Prefecture. Kameyamakoen.

Fukuchiyama. Kyoto Prefecture.

Fukuchiyama. I think the splash of bird-poop highlights this one nicely.

Fuse. Osaka Prefecture.

Fuse.

Fuse. Apart from the floral ones most of Fuse's groundware is related to the theme of "Higashi Osaka - Rugby Town". I approve.

Fuse.

Fuse.

Fuse.

Hikone. Shiga Prefecture. When I went to Shiga-ken for the Ulfuls concert in Yasu I did some sightseeing in Hikone first. Nice place. Good udon.

Hikone.

Himeji. Hyogo Prefecture. Stap me vitals. The last Himeji manhole cover photo was taken over five years ago. It's on the first page. I was back in town to see The 50 Kaitenz and found this. I found the gig too, fortunately.

Hiwasa. Tokushima Prefecture, on the southern coast. The official name of the town is now "Minami-cho" but the "minami" doesn't mean "south" it means "beautiful wave".

Hiwasa. Went over during Obon with Jimi again for the Awa Odori and decided to do some sightseeing as well. Hiwasa is home to Yakuoji, temple #23 of the 88 temple Shikoku pilgrimage, which I chose for my annual chat with my sadly missed friend Gunny. It's a way cool place.

Hiwasa. Lovely scenery and a beautiful temple aren't all that Hiwasa has going for it. It's also a place where loggerhead turtles come every summer to lay their eggs on Ohama Beach. So there's a Chelonian Museum there with 2-year old, 1-year old and hatchling loggerheads in tanks, amongst other things turtley.

Hiwasa. And because it's the town that the turtles come to they feature on the manhole covers!

Ibaraki. Osaka Prefecture. Went with my friend Keiko to meet Sankon's mother. She's wonderful.

Ikeda. Osaka Prefecture. Sadly although Ikeda seems to be obsessed with wombats they don't feature on the manhole covers. This seems to be a partridge in a pear tree or something.

Ikoma. Nara Prefecture. Famous for radio waves, UFOs and brollies apparently.

Ikoma. City of the future!

Ise. Mie Prefecture. Near Geku, the Outer Shrine. It is a truly wonderful place. Beautiful buildings in an extraordinary natural setting and with an incredible atmosphere. A fascinating local guide kindly showed us around.

Ise. The day we went it drizzled most of the day so unfortunately this is the best shot I could get of this one. Featuring the shoe of my friend Masayo.

Ise. A smaller version of the main one in the area. Masayo translated for me so I knew which stones had historical interest, which ones to draw power from (including Turtle Power!) and which to avoid stepping on because they bring bad luck!

Ise. The rain actually did me a favour with this, unpainted, version. Once it had stopped drizzling (rather briefly) the rainwater gave great contrast. This one is near Gaiku, the Inner Shrine.

Ise. No idea where this one is coming from! It was the only one like it I found, again near Geku. I think it's great and especially approve of the fact that for some reason it reads "Rock!"

Ise. Essentially the same as the first one. But dry.

Ise.

Itami. Hyogo Prefecture. It has a famous pond with islands in in the shape of Japan. And a bug museum too, with a lovely butterfly house.

Itami. Usually I'm a fan of the painted covers but this one is a little OTT for me.

Itami. Much more subtle.

Izumo. Shimane Prefecture. Hometown of Dory and of the best manhole covers! They have one of Yamata no Orochi's eight heads on them. Too cool.

Izumo Taisha. A small seaside town with the oldest and second most important shrine in Japan. Recommended.

Izumo Taisha. Way cute. This is so tiny I almost missed it but it has all eight of Yamata no Orochi's heads!