Major League Baseball is celebrating their 12 active Japanese players by featuring them on custom manhole covers in their respective hometowns, beginning Monday, June 16.
Each of the manholes were designed by local artists, crafted to tell the unique stories of the player’s path to the big leagues, while additionally capturing their unique style and characteristics.
Those on site will be able to scan a QR code with their mobile devices to access exclusive content through short augmented reality movies.
What’s more, MLB and Japan Airlines (JAL) are collaborating for a special project that will further enrich the manhole experience for those who visit them in-person. Details of this project will be announced later this month.
The first manhole covers will be displayed in Iwate Prefecture, where Shohei Ohtani (Oshu), Yusei Kikuchi (Morioka) and Roki Sasaki (Rikuzentakata) have roots. Launch venues will be unveiled gradually through MLB’s Japanese Instagram account.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Bizen City) is the third Los Angeles Dodgers player who will be recognized with a manhole cover in Okayama Prefecture, beginning Wednesday, June 25.
The Dodgers have a strong presence in Japan due to their star players and opened the 2025 season with the Tokyo Series, which saw them win both games against the Chicago Cubs.
L.A. also launched a fan club that is only available to residents of the country. Membership comes with special perks such as limited edition merchandise and discounted tickets.
MLB manhole cover installation schedule
June 16: Shohei Ohtani, Iwate Prefecture (Oshu City)
June 16: Yusei Kikuchi Iwate Prefecture (Morioka City)
June 16: Roki Sasaki, Iwate Prefecture (Rikuzentakata City)
June 17: Yu Darvish, Osaka Prefecture (Habikino City)
June 18: Yuki Matsui, Kanagawa Prefecture (Yokohama City)
June 19: Shota Imanaga, Fukuoka Prefecture (Kitakyushu City)
June 20: Kenta Maeda, Osaka Prefecture (Senboku District)
June 23: Lars Nootbaar, Saitama Prefecture (Higashimatsuyama City)
June 24: Seiya Suzuki, Tokyo (Arakawa Ward)
June 25: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Okayama Prefecture (Bizen City)
June 26: Masataka Yoshida, Fukui Prefecture (Fukui City)
June 27: Kodai Senga, Aichi Prefecture (Gamagori City)
June 28: Shinnosuke Ogasawara, Kanagawa Prefecture (Fujisawa City)
June 29: Tomoyuki Sugano, Kanagawa Prefecture (Sagamihara City)
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