Introduction

The permanent exhibits of the Currency Museum display the history of money in Japan in understandable ways based on study of the Museum’s holdings. Here you can see, through the actual materials used, what people have chosen to use as money over the years and how they have used it.

After looking at the actual gold coins (Oban) minted by the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, you can feel their weight and see the first Bank of Japan notes issued during the Meiji Era. Next, you can experience the technologies currently employed to prevent counterfeiting of the Bank of Japan notes. It’s an enjoyable way to learn about money.

You can also learn about how people have used money in their lives through the prices of goods at the time. For example, see what people could buy with Wado-kaichin and Kan’ei Tsuho coins and at what price.