Follow the Money: A Travel Guide to Japanese Banknotes
exciting activities
to
delicious food
or
fascinating people
waiting for you in every corner of the country. You can even construct a sightseeing plan around money.
We're not talking about being mindful of expenses while planning your travels (though you should definitely do that) but rather visiting the locales printed on Japanese banknotes, old and new. From world-famous destinations to hidden gems, here's what you can expect on a wallet-inspired tour of Japan.
List of Contents:
Cranes: Back of the D Series ¥1,000 Bill
Lake Motosu: Back of the D Series ¥5,000 Bill and the E Series ¥1,000 Bill
The Green Pheasant: Back of the D Series ¥10,000 Bill
Shureimon Gate: Face of the D Series ¥2,000 Bill
The Irises Screen: Back of the E Series ¥5,000 Bill
The Phoenix Statue of Byodoin: Back of the E Series ¥10,000 Bill
The Great Wave off Kanagawa: Back of the F Series ¥1,000 Bill
Wisterias: Back of the F Series ¥5,000 Bill
Tokyo Station Marunouchi Main Building: Back of the F Series ¥10,000 Bill
Related Posts
Cranes: Back of the D Series ¥1,000 Bill
Izumi in Kagoshima Prefecture is the largest migratory bird site in Japan. It attracts more than 10,000 cranes each winter. Symbolizing good luck and prosperity, the birds were first recorded wintering in this cozy corner of Kyushu back in 1694 and have been a protected natural resource ever since.
cranes flying in izumi, kagoshima
The Izumi Crane Observation Center leases nearly 5 square kilometers of rice paddies for the majestic animals to sleep, frolic and feed on grain and fish every morning, which is the best time to see them up-close from the viewing deck. The crane-wintering season in Izumi lasts from November to March.
Lake Motosu: Back of the D Series ¥5,000 Bill and the E Series ¥1,000 Bill
Formed by an eruption of Mount Fuji, Lake Motosu offers some of the best views of Japan's iconic sacred mountain. Located in Minobu, Yamanashi Prefecture, it's the westernmost body of water among the Fuji Five Lakes.
It's also the deepest of the lakes at 121 meters and known for its clear waters which, when observed from the shore, appear an otherworldly shade of ultramarine. Water sports and camping are popular activities around Lake Motosu, which is also a religious ceremony site for people who worship Mount Fuji as a god.
The Green Pheasant: Back of the D Series ¥10,000 Bill
As Japan's national bird, the green pheasant can be spotted in the wild all over the country, but the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage network gives travelers a chance to enjoy the emerald bird amid the picturesque and historic scenery of the Kii Peninsula.
Spreading across Mie, Nara and Wakayama prefectures, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been bringing people to the spiritual heart of Japan for over a millennium while giving them plenty of pheasant-spotting opportunities. Other animals that may be enjoyed — from afar — on the Kumano Kodo routes are tanuki racoon dogs, black kites and blue-tailed skinks.
Shureimon Gate: Face of the D Series ¥2,000 Bill
A symbol of Okinawan culture, the vermilion Shureimon Gate is an impressive wooden structure located near Shuri Castle. Inspired by Chinese architectural styles, the gate was constructed in the mid-16th century to welcome envoys and important guests to the Ryukyu Kingdom.
Shureimon Gate
Noted for its beauty, the gate was designated as a National Treasure in 1933. It was unfortunately destroyed during World War II and consequently rebuilt in 1958.
The Irises Screen: Back of the E Series ¥5,000 Bill
Considered an icon of Japanese screen-painting, 'Irises'
by Ogata Korin takes up a pair of six-panel screens dating back to the 18th century. In the possession of the Nezu Museum in Tokyo, this National Treasure has a much bigger impact in person than on the back of Japanese money (featuring the right screen) where its original azure and green colors have understandably been toned down.
Praised for its abstract portrayal of nature combined with a pleasing geometrical design, it's said that the screen inspired the Iris paintings of Vincent van Gogh. The Nezu Museum's collection numbers 7,600 works, including other National Treasures as well as Important Cultural Properties.
The Phoenix Statue of Byodoin: Back of the E Series ¥10,000 Bill
The Phoenix Hall is the only original structure of the Byodoin Temple in Uji city, located just south of Kyoto. Built in 1053, its name was inspired by its form, with the hall's elegant architecture giving it the appearance of a bird taking flight. The roof is also adorned by golden phoenix statues.
Originally a villa of the Fujiwara clan, the Phoenix Hall also served as the background of The First Battle of Uji where samurai battled warrior monks.
The Great Wave off Kanagawa: Back of the F Series ¥1,000 Bill
One of the most reproduced images of all time, Katsushika Hokusai's 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' was produced in 1831 and is the first in the
Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji
series capturing a 19th-century view from somewhere in modern-day Yokohama. Often mistakenly referred to as a painting,
The Great Wave
is actually a woodblock print, meaning that there are various, equally-legitimate versions of the work found in museums around the world.
The Ota Memorial Museum of Art in Shibuya, Tokyo, has an early print, as does The Tokyo National Museum, though not on permanent display. A great place to learn more about Hokusai is the Sumida Hokusai Museum in Tokyo's Sumida ward, where the artist spent most of his life.
Wisterias: Back of the F Series ¥5,000 Bill
A popular symbol of good luck and longevity,
Japanese wisteria
can be best enjoyed at the Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture. It's home to over 350 wisteria trees, including a 160-year-old giant spanning 1,000 square meters with 80,000 individual flowers.
The trees are in bloom from April to May. During the winter months, visitors to the Ashikaga Flower Park can also bask in the glow of 'The Garden of Illuminated Flowers,' an installation featuring 5 million colorful flower-themed lights.
Tokyo Station Marunouchi Main Building: Back of the F Series ¥10,000 Bill
First opened in 1914, Tokyo Station is the masterwork of architect Tatsuno Kingo. The station's iconic red-brick Marunouchi main building was restored in 2012 and today delights travelers from all over the world, particularly due to its octagonal domes decorated with eagle sculptures and zodiac motifs.
Designated as an Important Cultural Property, the building is illuminated at night, enhancing its old-timey elegance against the techno-modern Tokyo skyline. The building houses the Tokyo Station Gallery with its revolving exhibitions and more than 150 stores, restaurants and other convenient facilities.
Related Posts
The Faces of Japan's New Banknotes | Spotlight
Exploring the Lesser Traveled Prefectures of Ehime and Oita
Sasebo Travel Guide: A Historic, Coastal Getaway
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
SoraNews24
2 days ago
- SoraNews24
Tokyo Disney Resort's low park attendance continues amid extreme heat
With a new temperature record set in Japan, more people than ever seem to be saying no thank you to going outdoors altogether. On July 30, Japan's highest-ever temperature of 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.16 degrees Fahrenheit) was recorded in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture. With one local resident describing the heat as 'homicidal,' it's easy to see why more and more people have been pulling the plug on typical outdoor summer activities and plugging in the AC instead. This predicament, however, has been creating barriers for some of Japan's biggest attractions as they grapple with how to attract customers in the midst of unprecedented heat waves. For instance, it was reported last year that Tokyo Disney Resort (comprised of two main theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea) was experiencing declining numbers of visitors, which resulted in Tokyo Disneyland losing its crown as the top-attended theme park in Japan for two years in a row. From April through September 2024, Tokyo Disney Resort recorded 12.2 million visitors, which is a 2.4 percent decrease compared to the same period during the previous year. It's also the first decrease in attendance since the park reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic. While the decline in numbers has been attributed to many factors, including inflation/rising costs for Japanese consumers as well as Tokyo Disneyland's decision to discontinue annual passes, the effect of the extreme heat is undeniable, especially for visitors who would be standing in long lines under the boiling sun to enter park attractions. ▼ Eventually there comes a time when not even a sports drink can help. Tokyo Disney Resort's operator, the Oriental Land Company (OLC), has implemented various measures to try to beat the heat and attract more visitors. The parks currently have a Summer Cool-Off campaign that's emphasizing water rides, parades with water sprayed over large areas, the creation of more on-site shaded spots, including temporary overhead tarps, and expanded entry times outside of the peak heat. Stores on the premises also sell misting fans and cooling towels for guests. However, despite OLC's best efforts, as of late July, its stocks have decreased more than 20 percent in the span of one year. Only time will tell if OLC manages to find a recipe for summer success–and if the global data is any indication, the summer heat is here to stay. In the meantime, if not even the lure of Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea is enough to draw you out under the sun, you can have fun with other activities such as devouring Totoro-themed shaved ice or taking part in a nighttime taxi tour of haunted locations that will give you a different kind of chill. Source: Nikkei Business via Golden Times Top image: SoraNews24 Insert image: Pakutaso ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
![Podcast [English World] Episode 110: Budgeting for summer vacation](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fenglish-kyodo.ismcdn.jp%2Fmwimgs%2F8%2Ff%2F1200x%2Fimg_8f30662d1ce0113a0ae31bba35f067a81275246.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![Podcast [English World] Episode 110: Budgeting for summer vacation](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fkyodonews.net.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Kyodo News
2 days ago
- Kyodo News
Podcast [English World] Episode 110: Budgeting for summer vacation
How are you spending your summer vacation? Three Kyodo News reporters -- Ellessa Yamada, Eduardo Martinez and Junko Horiuchi -- talk about how Japanese people plan to spend a record high of over 100,000 yen on average for their summer holidays this year. Listen as they discuss how, despite wage hikes by some companies, many also plan to cut back spending amid persistent inflation. Articles mentioned in the podcast: Japanese budget for summer holidays hits record high: survey Okinawa theme park opens with higher entry fees for overseas guests Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents.
Metropolis Japan
2 days ago
- Metropolis Japan
Katsu Kaishu: The Man Who Saved Edo from the Flames
It was at a bend in the path that he first caught a glimpse of the water, a blue sliver that flashed through a gap in the trees, then vanished behind thick green curtains. The man looked to the path ahead. It was a long way back to Edo Castle, leading his modest retinue through the hills west of the capital to the hilltop temple of Honmonji. His porters and retainers had carried the necessities of the delegation. Still, the burden that he shouldered had weighed far more on him that day. The path found a canal for a time, then crested over a hill where still water spread out before them. Trees and clusters of reeds hemmed the pond, with herons stalking the shallows and ducks drifting across the surface. Across the pond, there was a small temple in the midst of a bamboo grove. The man called a halt, telling his men to wait. He approached the edge of the pond where he noticed a Buddhist monk standing in the water, scrubbing his legs. 'What is this place called?' he asked. 'Senzoku Ike,' replied the monk, beckoning him forward. 'It is said that the great priest Nichiren once washed his feet here hundreds of years ago—that's why it carries this name.' The man removed his waraji, straw sandals, and tabi socks to step into the pond beside the monk. As the water cooled his aching feet, he felt the flames that had raged all day through his heart and soul begin to abate at last. The Samurai Who Rose to Advise the Shogun Katsu Kaishu lived one of the most remarkable lives of the nineteenth century, but he is little known outside Japan. Unlike Sakamoto Ryoma or Saigo Takamori, Katsu is not remembered for military victories or defeats, but rather averted what might have been one of the most cataclysmic battles in the country's history. Katsu had risen from a low-ranking samurai family to become a trusted adviser to the Tokugawa regime. Following the end of sakoku (Japan's isolation period), Katsu was among the first to understand the importance of naval technology. This fascination even led to his nickname Kaishu—formed from the Japanese kanji for 'sea' (海) and 'boat' (舟). A Voyage Across the Pacific Having learned Dutch as a young man, Katsu was able to study at the Nagasaki Naval Academy from 1855-59 under Dutch naval officers. His education there led to a truly remarkable adventure in 1860, when Katsu was selected as captain of the Kanrin Maru. The Kanrin Maru was a steam-driven warship that would undertake Japan's first-ever embassy to the United States. He shared the ship with American and Japanese sailors as well as the great diplomat, scholar and reformer Fukuzawa Yukichi. Also onboard was John Manjiro — an Edo-period castaway rescued by an American ship and the embassy's interpreter. John, being unable to return to Japan under sakoku, was taught to speak English in America. Katsu and his crew arrived in San Francisco just after the end of the Gold Rush. They traveled by train to Washington, D.C., for diplomatic meetings and ratification of the Harris Treaty. Katsu himself spent considerable time in San Francisco gaining first-hand knowledge of American society and advances in modern technology. He was then given increasingly prominent roles within the Tokugawa shogunate, primarily related to the developing navy, after returning to Japan. As civil unrest raged across Japan through the 1860s, Katsu found himself increasingly employed as a negotiator. He convinced the rebellious ronin Sakamoto Ryoma not to assassinate him and to embrace Western modernization efforts. This ultimately strengthened Japan and brokered numerous other deals between warring factions. The Day Edo Stood on the Brink of Destruction None was more consequential than that fateful day—April 9, 1868—when Katsu and his retinue traveled from central Edo to Honmonji Temple, with Japan embroiled in the Boshin War. The forces of the Imperial Army, commanded by Saigo Takamori, had surrounded Edo. Supporters of the ailing Tokugawa shogunate holed up in the capital's central castle. As Katsu stepped into Honmonji's ancient halls, he must have known that his words that day could fan the flames of war that would burn his city to the ground. At one dark moment, he and his advisors even considered torching Edo themselves rather than submitting to the enemy. In the end, he chose peace, dousing the fire with the bittersweet rains of surrender. While we cannot know what Katsu thought as he passed by Senzoku-Ike, the pond did leave a lasting impression on him. Not only did he retire there in a home built alongside the water, but he and his wife, Tami, are buried there in graves that you can visit to this day. The nearby Katsu Kaishu Memorial Museum also contains many personal items as well as detailed displays on his life.
