Visiting Japan can often be a vertical experience. From the majestic peak of Mount Fuji, to the skyscrapers of Tokyo, without forgetting the cherry blossoms in the spring, people find themselves looking up to experience Japanese culture and sights. The mountains of Nagano, the phone wires of suburbs, cranes flying over beautiful gardens. It is easy to forget that there is a whole world to discover at our feet, literally.

The reality is that being a tourist can be overwhelming in a country like Japan. There is so much to see, to taste, to take in, that experiences are often sensory-overload! However, a big part of Japanese culture lies in the essence of the delicate, of fine details.

After living in Japan for years, people develop a great sensibility for those details, and appreciating the simple things, rather than the big "culture shock" moments. The appreciation of a simpler form of beauty, and the idea of a world hidden at our feet are the foundations behind the project that has become 47Regions.
Manholes aren't something that catch people's eyes, especially when they're outshone by the environment they're surrounded by. 47Regions wants to put a spotlight on the amazing pieces of art that art Japanese manholes. They're colourful, they represent their cities and regions in ever creative ways, and they're at their very core super Japanese and interesting! 47Regions aims to capture Japanese manholes and put them on t-shirts; what better way to "ele...