What do the numbers in the octagons in Japanese manhole covers mean?

I think it might be a Tokyo thing.
Each region of Japan seems to have their own thing for man-hole covers.

have a look here for more info

awesome :)

A scary ghost surrounded by mushrooms, one which has a happy face on it… and a swastika on an apple? WTF JAPAN!

The ‘swastika’ is actually facing the wrong direction. Interesting history behind that symbol (both directions) which predates any 20th century dictators.

From Wikipedia [ which I only trust completely when completely drunk ]:

The notion that Hitler deliberately inverted the “good left-facing” Buddhist swastika is, however, wholly unsupported by any historical evidence.

Uhoh… I think I inadvertently contributed to Godwin’s law.
I think the symbol also had a Native American use.

I wish I had known this earlier when I visited… I mean forget the temples and mountains and rice fields…. I should been looking down at the streets… I must return!

Or was it confusion at how I was still shorter then most in this country as well , the spinning lights and vertigo I got every time I set foot in a seven eleven.

Japanese culture likes to reflect on moments of serenity. I find their use of decorative manhole covers a perfect example of this. I would be very happy if the USA did this.

The swastika, as others have pointed out, was an ancient religious/spiritual symbol long before the Nazi’s used it. It probably came to Japan from India through zen buddhism, through China.

My best guess about the mushroom is that it’s related to the video game industry. I would be very interested to know if there was a culture of magic mushroom use in medieval Japan, or in the ancient practices of Shinto.