SHIZUOKA -- Two manhole covers featuring images from the popular manga series "Chibi Maruko-chan," designed and donated by none other than Momoko Sakura, the manga's late author, have recently been installed in Shizuoka, Sakura's hometown and the setting of her story.
One of the 63-centimeter-wide covers features Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay and fish and was installed in Shizuoka's Shimizu Ward where Sakura, who died in August, was born and raised when it was called Shimizu city. It was placed on a sidewalk outside the west exit of JR Shimizu Station on Sept. 6.
The second cover features a different design and was installed the next day on a sidewalk near the Shin-Shizuoka Cenova shopping complex in the city's Aoi Ward. Sakura herself designed the covers, creating original drawings for the occasion.
Shizuoka Mayor Nobuhiro Tanabe and about 100 local residents gathered to see the first cover installed and observe a minute of silence for Sakura.
"We want to pass on her achievements to the future," Tanabe said. "I also hope many people will come to Shimizu."
A 27-year-old homemaker from the area who came to see the event with her 1-year-old son said, "It would be nice if it becomes a new tourist spot in Shimizu."
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