A manhole position identification method of the present invention includes: measuring, from an end of an optical fiber, a temporal variation in scattering light from the optical fiber when an impact blow is applied to a cover of a manhole located on a path of the optical fiber, so as to obtain temporal variations in a scattering light intensity distribution in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber; determining an occurrence of vibration due to the impact blow based on the temporal variations at positions in the scattering light intensity distribution, so as to identify an impact blow position on the optical fiber; and associating the impact blow position on the optical fiber with a map position of the manhole whose cover has received the impact blow, so as to identify a position of the manhole expressed in terms of optical fiber length from the end.