
The Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan is a treasure trove of financial history, showcasing the evolution of money from ancient times to the present day. Located in the heart of Tokyo, this unique museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of currency.
The museum's collection includes over 200,000 items, ranging from ancient coins to modern banknotes. You can see the first paper money ever issued in Japan, which dates back to the 17th century.
One of the highlights of the museum is the exhibit on the development of Japanese currency, which includes a rare example of a 100-yen note from 1947. This note is a great example of how currency has changed over time, with its unique design and security features.
The museum also explores the history of international currency, including the introduction of the yen as a global currency after World War II. This is a great opportunity to learn about the global economy and how currency has shaped the world we live in today.
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Bank of Japan Numismatic Collection
The Bank of Japan Numismatic Collection is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the history of Japanese currency. Located in the Bank of Japan Currency Museum in Tokyo's Chūō district, this collection is a significant part of the museum's exhibit.
With over 200,000 specimens of coins and banknotes, the collection provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of money in Japan. This is a staggering number, and it's clear that the museum has made a concerted effort to gather as many examples as possible.
The collection includes coins and banknotes that showcase the production technologies and usage culture of Japan's past. This offers a unique insight into the country's economic history, making it a fascinating resource for historians and numismatists alike.
The Bank of Japan Currency Museum is housed in one of the Bank of Japan's buildings, making it a significant location for those interested in the financial history of Japan.
History of Money

The Bank of Japan Currency Museum's collection is a treasure trove of historical Japanese currency, with around 160,000 pieces on display. This impressive collection includes coins from before the yen era.
You can get a detailed look into the monetary system of Japan during different historical periods by exploring this section of the museum. The exhibits showcase coins from before the yen era, giving you a glimpse into Japan's past.
The museum's collection also includes notes from the feudal domains of the Meiji era (1868-1911), providing valuable insight into Japan's economic history. This era marked a significant period of change in Japan's history.
The museum's massive collection of antiquated money is a fascinating look at the evolution of currency in Japan and abroad. The collection includes everything from ancient coins to the modern yen.
Examples of unusual currency from around the world are also on display, giving you a unique perspective on the diverse ways that money has been used throughout history.
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Bank of Japan

The Bank of Japan Currency Museum is located in the Chūō district of Tokyo, making it a significant location for those interested in Japan's financial history.
The museum is housed in one of the Bank of Japan's buildings, giving visitors a unique glimpse into the institution's role in shaping the country's economy.
With over 200,000 specimens of coins and banknotes, the museum's numismatic collection is one of the most significant in the country, offering a comprehensive overview of the evolution of money in Japan.
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Bank of Japan Visitor Info
The Bank of Japan Visitor Info is a must-know for anyone planning to visit the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo.
The Bank of Japan's headquarters is located in the Chuo ward of Tokyo, near the famous Tokyo Station.
Visitors can take a guided tour of the bank's facilities, which includes the Money Museum and the Banknote Museum.
The tours are free, but advance reservations are required.
The Bank of Japan Visitor Center is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
The best way to get to the Bank of Japan is by taking the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line to the Tokyo Station.
From there, it's a short walk to the bank's headquarters.
At the Old Gold Mint Site

The Bank of Japan's museum occupies part of the old gold mint's premises near Tokyo Station in the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo. This historic site was once home to the kinza, or gold mint, where gold coins were created until the closing days of the shōgunate.
The museum is situated in the heart of the Nihonbashi district, where the Ginza district, famous for its shopping, is just a short walk away. The Ginza district got its name from the mint for silver coins established there in 1612.
Japan issued its first metal coins in the latter part of the seventh century, with the official state history recording that an act passed in 683 prohibited the use of silver coins.
These early Japanese coins were patterned on Chinese specimens and had a square hole in the center, a design that was popular throughout East Asia at the time.
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Evolution of Currency
The Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan has an impressive collection of currency evolution exhibits.
The museum showcases gold ingots that were used as currency, with examples dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These ingots are about 95% pure gold and weigh around 375 grams each.
Visitors can feel the weight of a traditional ōban gold coin, which is larger than a man's hand and worth seven of the smaller koban coins.
The yen was adopted as the national unit of currency in 1871, with both coins and banknotes going into circulation.
The Bank of Japan was created in 1882 to link the private banks that had previously operated across the country.
The very first banknote to be issued by the Bank of Japan featured Daikokuten, the god of wealth.
The museum displays all the paper notes issued by the Bank of Japan, up to the current day.
The exhibits also reveal the historical minting methods for coins.
Paper notes issued by regional clans incorporated sophisticated anticounterfeiting measures.
Visitors can even feel the weight of ¥100 million in bills – about 10 kilograms – but be warned, it's not something you'd want to try to take away!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What denominations of yen to take to Japan?
For smooth transactions in Japan, consider bringing small denomination yen, such as 10 yen and 100 yen coins, as well as 1,000 yen notes. This will help you navigate ticket and vending machines that often don't accept larger bills.
What paper money is issued by the Bank of Japan?
The Bank of Japan issues banknotes denominated in Japanese yen, also known as Bank of Japan notes. These notes are the official paper currency of Japan.
Sources
- https://whichmuseum.com/museum/bank-of-japan-currency-museum-tokyo-46083
- https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1735/
- https://www.nippon.com/en/features/c04501/
- https://numismaticexploits.com/2018/03/01/bank-of-japan-currency-museum/
- https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-tokyo_train_station/spot-lj0000632/
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