Safe and respectful real-world manhole-cover collecting

The route is optional; safety is not

A map pin or collection goal never overrides the street. Construction, traffic, weather, crowds, private property, opening hours, and instructions from local staff can change what is safe and appropriate.

If the cover cannot be viewed from a normal public position, leave it for another day. Never lift, move, clean, mark, or interfere with a cover.

At every stop

1. Move to the side before checking the phone or opening a detail page.
2. Confirm you are on a public pavement, park, plaza, or other allowed area.
3. Look for vehicles, bicycles, maintenance work, and people approaching from behind.
4. Take the quickest safe photograph or scan without obstructing anyone.
5. Move away before reviewing, editing, or sharing the result.

Protect privacy in photos and Assisted Scan

Frame the cover closely. Avoid identifiable people, children, faces, license plates, home entrances, delivery labels, and unrelated private property. Do not photograph someone who asks not to be included.

Normal recognition runs on the device. If you explicitly choose Assisted Scan, the fresh cover photo, precise location, selected cover, and scan diagnostics are uploaded for verification. Review the frame before submitting and do not include unnecessary personal information.

Plan for Japan’s conditions

• Heat and humidity can turn a short urban route into a health risk.
• Rain can make metal, paint, steps, and tactile paving slippery.
• Typhoons, earthquakes, flooding, snow, and local warnings take priority over the plan.
• Keep enough battery, water, and transit capacity for the return journey.
• Do not rely on one app for emergency or official safety information.

Official and primary sources

Open the current source before travel. These links support the guide; they do not imply affiliation or permission to reproduce official images.

• Manhole Quest Privacy Policy
• Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Sewerage design-manhole directory