Japan’s elaborate, colorful manhole covers
I remember this was one thing that really made an impact on me about Japan when I went there as an exchange student.<p>"Even their manholes are thoroughly done and look amazing! What is even going on!?"<p>They can still make me smile every now and again when I visit, and I really admire the "Japanese sense of" (I don't know if it's particular to Japan) putting lots of effort into something seemingly mundane; putting effort into something which yields no practical return on investment. I wish there was more of this artisanship in the everyday city-life around us, to keep remind us how lovely life can really be. It's easy to forget sometimes.