Comparison

Manhole Notebook vs Rekimachi Card Map

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Manhole Notebook

Features
Read full description

Japan's streets hide tiny masterpieces beneath your feet — and now you can collect them all. Manhole Cards (マンホールカード) are free collectible cards distributed by municipalities across Japan, each featuring a stunning, one-of-a-kind manhole cover design. From cherry blossoms in Kyoto to samurai crests in Sendai, every card tells the story of its city. Collect Japan's Manhole Cards is the ultimate companion for hunters and travelers alike: - Browse 1,200+ cards spanning all 47 prefectures — filter by region, design, or release date - Find distribution points on a live map so you never miss a card while exploring - Track your collection and watch your map of Japan come to life as you collect - Connect with fellow collectors — add friends and compare collections to see who has what - Get latest news about cards released by municipalities - Works offline — your collection and maps are always with you, even in the countryside Whether you're a seasoned collector or discovering manhole cards for the first time, this app turns every walk in Japan into a treasure hunt. The cards are free. The adventure is priceless. Special thanks to @public_cardigan for providing the latest card news and distribution updates. Terms of Use: https://gabrielbarandiaran.github.io/barandiaran-gp/manhole-notebook/terms-en.html Privacy Policy: https://gabrielbarandiaran.github.io/barandiaran-gp/manhole-notebook/privacy-en.html

About

Rekimachi Card Map

Features
Read full description

Rekimachi Card Map helps you find distribution locations for Rekimachi Cards across Japan and keep track of the cards you have collected. Rekimachi Cards are issued in cities and towns that promote historic town development in Japan. MAIN FEATURES ■ Find distribution locations on the map View distribution locations near your current position or travel destination. Pin colors make it easy to distinguish cards you have not collected, cards already collected, locations that are out of stock, and cards not yet available. ■ Manage your collection Mark a card as collected with a single tap. You can also view card images, detailed information, and links to official websites. ■ Filter to plan your visits Filter cards by region, collection status, and availability on weekdays, weekends, or public holidays. ■ Update distribution location data Download updated distribution location data directly in the app. ■ Back up and transfer your data Export your collection status to a file and import it on another device. This is useful for backups and when moving to a new device. RECOMMENDED FOR • Rekimachi Card collectors • Travelers looking for nearby card distribution locations in Japan • Anyone who wants a simple way to track collected and uncollected cards • People planning an efficient card-collecting trip Make Rekimachi Card Map your companion for exploring historic towns throughout Japan.

Screenshots

Manhole Notebook4 screens
Rekimachi Card Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Rekimachi Card Map at none against Manhole Notebook's 1. Manhole Notebook's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Manhole Notebook sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $14.99 per year. Rekimachi Card Map asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Manhole Notebook versus Rekimachi Card Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterManhole NotebookRekimachi Card Map
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGabriel Barandiaran SilveiraTETSUNOSUKE HIDA

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Manhole Notebook

Subscriptions1
  • Pro Yearly$14.991 Year
None

Rekimachi Card Map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Manhole Notebook free?
Manhole Notebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rekimachi Card Map free?
Rekimachi Card Map is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Manhole Notebook or Rekimachi Card Map have ads?
Rekimachi Card Map shows ads; Manhole Notebook does not.
Which is updated more often, Manhole Notebook or Rekimachi Card Map?
Manhole Notebook ships an update weekly, and Rekimachi Card Map weekly. Most recently, Manhole Notebook was updated on October 8, 2026 and Rekimachi Card Map on October 28, 2026.

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