Captain Tsubasa-designed manhole covers installed in Furano City, Hokkaido Furano City, Hokkaido Press Release: October 14, 2025 To Members of the Media Captain Tsubasa-designed manhole covers installed in Furano City, Hokkaido We are pleased to announce the installation of special manhole covers that express the friendship and fierce battles depicted in the manga “Captain Tsubasa”!! Manhole covers featuring characters from the globally beloved soccer manga “Captain Tsubasa” have been installed in Furano City, Hokkaido (Mayor: Kita Taketoshi; hereafter referred to as “Furano City”), a city with ties to the series.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/141136/21/141136-21-3364159c3371ecf18f8761d5bc50f581-800×662.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/141136/21/141136-21-6212ef2dfd5f8f2efe342140ba01e11d-800×533.jpg ■What is Captain Tsubasa “Captain Tsubasa” is a popular soccer manga that began serialization in 1981. It has spread the appeal of soccer around the world and influenced many professional players. The story centers around the protagonist, Ozora Tsubasa, and depicts the passionate battles and friendships he shares with his teammates. It continues to be loved by many people across generations and borders. The story features characters from Furano City (known as “Furano City” in the story), including Hikaru Matsuyama and manager Yoshiko Fujisawa, and depicts their exploits with Furano FC (elementary school version) and the Furano Junior High School soccer club (junior high school version). ■Installation location The Captain Tsubasa-designed manhole cover is located on the grounds of Furano Cheese Factory (Nakago Ward, Furano City).
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/141136/21/141136-21-b29039404dbd24c599cee6ebff430115-600×800.jpg It is also on display at the Furano City Government Complex (1-1 Yayoi-cho, Furano City). (It may be moved to another location for exhibition purposes.)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/141136/21/141136-21-e68ecd5de8bae97c46d9c7f25dfd8e1c-600×800.jpg ■Notes – When photographing the Captain Tsubasa-themed manhole cover, please be considerate to avoid obstructing traffic. – Fallen leaves and snow may make the design difficult to see. (C) Yoichi Takahashi *Permission has been obtained from the copyright holder to use this manhole cover design. ■ Overview of Furano City Furano City, located in the center of Hokkaido, is known as the “navel town.” It has four distinct seasons, with temperatures sometimes dropping below -30°C in winter and sometimes exceeding 30°C in summer. Agriculture is the city’s core industry, and it is one of Japan’s leading production areas and a popular tourist destination, attracting many visitors from both Japan and abroad. It is also an environmentally friendly city that practices thorough waste sorting and recycling, and is working toward becoming a zero-carbon city by 2050. [Address] 1-1, Furano City, Hokkaido 076-8555 [City Mayor] Taketoshi Kita [Population] 19,311 (as of the end of September 2025) [Access] Approximately 2 hours from Sapporo, approximately 1 hour from Asahikawa, approximately 2 hours from Obihiro Approximately 2 hours from New Chitose Airport, approximately 1 hour from Asahikawa Airport [URL]
https://www.city.furano.hokkaido.jp/ ■Inquiries regarding this press release Furano City Construction and Water Department, Waterworks Division Tel: 0167-39-2317 Fax: 0167-23-2124 Email:
suidoh-ka@city.furano.hokkaido.jp