Follow the Money: A Travel Guide to Japanese Banknotes
There are many ways to experience Japan. You can plan your itinerary based on everything from
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
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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.
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SoraNews24
2 hours ago
- SoraNews24
Five tips for hosting a college-age Japanese student in your country
From planning what to do to supporting their language development, we share some advice for making your student's stay go as smoothly as possible. Have you been thinking about hosting an international student, especially one from Japan, at some point? Largely as a result of my experiences teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) as well as teaching Japanese as a foreign language in the U.S., I've hosted a dozen students at various times at my home in rural northeastern U.S. Some have been my own former students from teaching in Japan, some have been Japanese students I've met in the U.S. at the university where I work, and others have been former students of my Japanese teacher friends, whom I'd never met until they were at my doorstep. They've also stayed for various lengths of time, ranging from one night to over a month, but most for the span of 1-2 weeks. While hosting can take lots of time and energy, it's also a mutually beneficial opportunity for cultural exchange and a chance to make a lifelong, meaningful connection. The following are five little tricks that I've picked up over the years for hosting a successful visit with a particular lens towards Japanese college-age student guests. Of course, it goes without saying that individuals in an even widely uniform country like Japan differ widely from one another, so it's important to take into account your student's own unique personality and interests. Also, while the thoughts and examples expressed here are geared towards my own experiences living in the U.S., I certainly hope that you can apply some of these ideas to your local area. Let's get hosting now! 1. Planning your itinerary As a resident of a fairly rural area, I like to factor in a mix of both rural and urban experiences as well as on-the-go time and time to rest. If we're visiting a big city one day (in my case, Boston is the usual choice), I try to stay closer to home the next, then go out a bit farther again on the following day. Closer to home doesn't mean doing nothing, though. There's always plenty to do, from walking around town to cooking a meal together. In fact, some of my visitors' self-proclaimed favorite memories have been the times when I invite them to experience seemingly mundane elements of daily life such as going to the post office to walking my dog at the local park. My family still laughs about how my former Student A always eagerly joined us on trips to the local transfer station during her stay! ▼ Student A also loved checking out the local flora and fauna–here's one of her squirrel montages. Another great idea is to factor in any upcoming holidays or cultural festivals in your country that students would not likely be able to experience authentically in Japan. For instance, while Halloween has picked up steam in Japan in terms of decorations and costumes, the concept of trick-or-treating still isn't really a thing. It's always fun when I bring a Japanese student with me to go trick-or-treating with my friend's children for the very first time. ▼ Student T during her first time trick-or-treating Meanwhile, Easter is even less visible in Japan. When Student M stayed with me in April of this year, coincidentally the week of Easter, I knew I wanted to build some holiday-related activities into her stay. On the day of the actual holiday, she showcased her artistic skills by dyeing some beautiful eggs, experienced an Easter egg hunt with a few more friends (I even threw a small Starbucks gift card into one of the eggs for a special 'grown-up' surprise!) and enjoyed dessert at my parents' house in the evening. ▼ Student M during her first Easter egg hunt All in all, you'll definitely want to gauge your student's energy levels throughout their stay, especially if they've just arrived from Japan and may have jet lag. As anyone who's spent significant time abroad in a non-English-speaking country can attest, once the initial excitement of being in a new and different place wears off, it can be exhausting to navigate new ways of doing things and speaking non-stop in a different language. Keep an open mind and be flexible depending on how they're feeling. BONUS TIPS: Check with your student if they're OK riding in a car for long periods of time. Many urban Japanese dwellers don't need a car to get by in daily life and may not be accustomed to the kinds of long rides that are completely normal for people like me. As a result, I have a couple of Japanese friends who routinely get a little carsick. Unlike many Americans I know that prefer to shower early in the morning, my Japanese guests almost always prefer to shower at night, as is the typical Japanese bathing culture. Therefore, I always try to keep that in mind when planning things out. 2. You can(not) decide Now, I've met some very decisive Japanese people (as well as some very indecisive Americans), but in my experience, college-age Japanese adults tend to want to cling more closely to the cultural ideal of harmony and not impose on anyone when it comes to expressing their personal opinions or wishes. In their mind, they might even think that staying at your house is imposing on you enough already. Therefore, whenever opinion questions are involved, I've learned that it's usually much more effective to present them with limited choices rather than to ask wide-open questions such as 'What do you want to do today?' or 'What would you like to eat for dinner?' In response to the those questions, I might receive a non-committal 'Anything is OK' type of response. Instead, if I ask, 'What sounds better this afternoon–going for a short hike, or going shopping?' and 'Do you feel like trying some local pizza or burgers tonight?' the question is much less overwhelming and they can usually choose one without problem. As the host, you might even try to find out some of their interests ahead of time in order to brainstorm potential options to present. A good trick may be to ask which club activity they were involved with in high school as an indication if they like a particular sport or prefer artistic endeavors. For some reason, a good number of students I've hosted have been part of their schools' basketball clubs in the past (and love the classic sports manga/anime Slam Dunk ), so I've often taken them to see American collegiate basketball games. ▼ They often comment on how American spectators are much louder and crazier than their Japanese counterparts! Another fun option I've given to several students is to go ice skating, which they may or may not have tried before depending on where they're from in Japan. With the mega-celebrity status of figure skaters such as Yuzuru Hanyu and Kaori Sakamoto in Japan, it can be a fun experience for the students and something they can excitedly talk about with family back home. ▼ Student K doing pretty well on her first skate in several years BONUS TIPS: Along the same lines as above, I find that my Japanese student guests will rarely admit when they're tired. If I notice that their eyelids are drooping but they insist they're OK, I stop giving them choices and instead say that I need to go take a short rest myself. That often gives them permission to go take a little nap without feeling like they're disturbing anything. If you're planning to build any museum or tour options into your plans, it may be helpful to ask in advance if there are any Japanese-language pamphlets, audio guides, etc. available. It may be hard for college-age students to comprehend more niche historical or artistic terminology in English. 3. Gastronomic choices One thing your student will likely already have on their to-do list is to try certain kinds of foods while they're in your country. As an American, I've learned to anticipate that burgers will more than likely be one of those things, and I plan accordingly. While it might be tempting to bring them to every chain restaurant that you can, I find that a balance of eating out and eating in–as time allows–often makes for the best strategy. The longer they're staying with you, the more important it is to be conscious of building in healthy meals, especially if you're from a place where restaurant-bought foods tend to be heavy in nature and large in portion sizes like in the U.S. ▼ Student A delighted in seeking out American sweets that were the size of her face, but she certainly couldn't eat them every day. My usual rule of thumb is to preemptively stock up on a variety of western-style breakfast foods for the first morning that a student is with me, including a few different kinds of yogurt, breads, cereals (yes, cereal outside of Japan is more than just corn flakes!), and orange juice. Then, on our first day together, we go to one or more supermarkets for them to explore and pick out more things they want to eat for simple meals at home. In fact, Student K I've hosted could easily spend over an hour in the supermarket checking out all of the new foods and brands. She also fell in love with Chobani Greek-style yogurt during her stay and sometimes messages me out of the blue saying how much she misses trying a different flavor every day. ▼ American Greek-style yogurt brand Chobani ended up being the unexpected MVP for one of my students. Another idea, especially if your student will be in the country for an extended period of study, is to potentially stock up on some basic Japanese ingredients such as miso and Japanese-style white rice. As a special treat for any natto lovers I'm hosting, I often buy a few packs of the fermented soy beans at a local Asian grocery store (where they're often located in a freezer, and not in the refrigerated section like in Japan). It's not an exaggeration to say that one student almost cried after eating natto over a bed of Japanese rice after living off of American university food for a couple of months–that's how happy she was for a little authentic taste of home. To the extent possible, also try to build in regional or seasonal dishes. For instance, when I visit Boston with students, we almost always stop somewhere for New England clam chowder. When I host students in autumn, we seek out ubiquitous pumpkin spice-flavored things, which are much harder to find in Japan. We may even go apple-picking at an orchard and then bake a regional dessert called apple crisp using those very apples, along with mulling apple cider with spices. It also makes the whole house smell heavenly. ▼ Clam chowder in a cup and in a sourdough bread bowl at the Boston Public Market Finally, it might be intriguing for your student to sample a localized version of Japanese food in your country at some point. According to Student T who's currently living in the U.S., she's actually grown to enjoy American 'authentic fake sushi.' It tastes much better to her if she doesn't think of it as Japanese sushi in the first place. ▼ 'Authentic fake sushi' BONUS TIPS: While common in many places in the U.S., Mexican food is fairly rare in Japan, and when you do find it, it's usually not much more than tacos. Consider taking your student to get some authentic Mexican cuisine if you've got a good place near you! Mint-flavored desserts may be polarizing! I have a few Japanese friends who think that they're OK but even more that can't stand the flavor in food ('it tastes like toothpaste'). Proceed with caution if you were thinking of buying a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream. 4. Fishing for souvenirs Don't be surprised if your student arrives and one of the first things they do is present you with a gift from Japan. Omiyage ('souvenir') culture is so ingrained in Japanese culture that shops selling omiyage are ubiquitous in stations, airports, and cities throughout Japan for everyone's souvenir needs. However, while I might think of a typical souvenir in the U.S. as some kind of tchotchke like a magnet or a T-shirt, omiyage in Japan are typically boxes of small, individually wrapped foodstuffs that can be easily distributed to family, friends, and coworkers. Those kinds of items may be harder to find abroad. ▼ During my last trip to Japan, I brought an entire suitcase of American omiyage for friends based on their personal preferences. Your guests may appreciate you building in opportunities to pick up some souvenirs for family and friends back home. In general, snack packs and bags of candy that can be bought in bulk at the supermarket make for cheap and easily shareable options along with a few specialty items. Consider what foodstuffs are decently famous in your city or region and take your student to get a few. Here are a few of my usual go-to souvenir ideas representative of the northeastern region of the U.S. based on what my Japanese guests have enjoyed in the past: Local chocolatery assortments: Munson's Chocolates, Lake Champlain Chocolates Vermont maple syrup in tiny bottles Stonewall Kitchen mini-size jams Dunkin' ground coffee Cape Cod Potato Chips Tea: Bigelow Tea Company, Harney & Sons In addition, the following are typical American souvenirs that my Japanese friends often stock up on when they visit the U.S.: Snacks: Goldfish crackers, Cheez-It crackers, Lay's potato chips Candy/cookies: Unusual flavors of M&M's, Oreos Betty Crocker brownie and cookie mixes Microwavable kettle corn packs Burt's Bees lip balm Sephora cosmetics Also, the more limited-edition or seasonal varieties of certain foods that you can find, the better. BONUS TIPS: American university swag is great for an extra special gift for someone. Anything with a university mascot on it is also a big hit since uni mascots aren't usually a thing in Japan. Plus, many of them are cute (like my local university mascot of a husky)! Trader Joe's reusable shopping bags, especially the standard cloth tote bags, are all the rage in Japan right now ('torejo' is the store's trendy abbreviated name in Japanese). No, the chain doesn't exist there, but the bags have become a symbol of 'casual American style.' They make for a super cheap souvenir that my Japanese friends continue to request when I visit Japan. ▼ Collecting state-specific versions of Trader Joe's bags, such as this Massachusetts one, has also been popular among friends. 5. Language development This final tip is geared towards readers who live in primarily English-speaking countries, but even if you don't, you can adapt the following advice for your own local tongue. Especially if it's their first time abroad, your Japanese student may be nervous to use their skills with native English speakers since speaking is generally not emphasized in English language instruction in Japan. Simple, everyday tasks can suddenly become frustrating for them, followed by the strong urge to just give up. Conversely, I remember how nervous I was the first time that I ordered a delivery pizza over the phone in Japan–and subsequently, how relieved I felt when it was done. I find that providing opportunities to college-age students to practice their English in a safe, supportive environment is key. Especially for their first few one-on-one interactions with locals, stand near them as a friendly support but let them do the talking. Don't interject unless they specifically ask you. The goal is to slowly build their speaking confidence, and the more they can have a meaningful exchange of information, the more they'll be motivated to begin conversations on their own. Another great thing to do with them for a few minutes every day is to anticipate actual situations that they may encounter and practice helpful language forms for navigating them. For example, if you know that your student will be taking a bus on their own, practice some handy phrases like 'Does this bus go to XX?' and 'How much longer to XX?' before they leave. ▼ 'Does the Orange Line go to my stop?' ▼ When I'm in Japan, I frequently rehearse what I'm going to say in Japanese in my head before speaking to someone, like that time when I didn't know how to use the newly installed smoothie machine at my local 7-Eleven and needed to ask for help. Finally, assuming that your student is most likely in your country to participate in some kind of short-term or long-term study abroad program, you may want to try creating additional opportunities for them to connect with local university students if those aren't readily available (especially if the student is enrolled in an intensive English program, they might have less direct contact with locals than you think!). A good starting place could be to see if your local university offers any Japanese-language classes. If so, try to get in touch with the course instructors to ask whether any of their students would be interested in taking your student to an on-campus dining hall, event, or other opportunity. Presumably, both sides will be very invested in the language and cultural exchange. This strategy has worked very well for me in the past, and my students have been able to get a glimpse of many facets of American university student life such as living in a dorm, attending a spring weekend concert, and even a good old-fashioned slumber party with sleeping bags as a result of these newly forged friendships. Even better, the students usually stay in touch with each other, and sometimes reunite in Japan at a later time. BONUS TIPS: When you're eating out for the first time, show your student how to calculate the tip if that's customary in your country. Tipping restaurant servers or other kinds of workers is not a common practice in Japan and the concept may be new to them. If you have close family or friends nearby, see if you can introduce your student to as many of them as possible to broaden their cultural and linguistic horizons. My former Student A developed a close relationship with my grandparents and still sends them snail mail at holidays from Japan. They always comment on how impressive her written English is. Thanks for sticking with me to the end. I hope this piece has given you the confidence to successfully host a Japanese college-age student at some point–and forge a lifelong connection in the process. All images © SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Kyodo News
3 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Japan's Princess Kako leaves for Brazil to mark 130 years of ties
KYODO NEWS - Jun 4, 2025 - 21:19 | All, Japan, World Japan's Princess Kako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, departed for Brazil on Wednesday to promote ties between the two countries, which mark 130 years of diplomatic relations this year. The younger daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko will arrive in Sao Paulo on Thursday and plans to visit eight cities, including the capital, Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro. During her fourth official overseas visit, the princess will pay a courtesy call on President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and attend a commemorative event related to the anniversary, according to the Imperial Household Agency. She will also meet with locals of Japanese descent before returning to Japan on June 17. Brazil is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan, with about 2.7 million people of Japanese descent living there, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. The first group of Japanese immigrants arrived in Brazil in 1908 under a government policy at the time to encourage emigration in the wake of an economic downturn and a growing population. Emperor Naruhito visited Brazil in 2008 as crown prince to mark the 100th anniversary of Japanese emigration to the South American country. The princess's older sister, Mako Komuro, also traveled to Brazil in 2018 for the 110th anniversary. In 2015, Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visited Brazil for the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Related coverage: Japan imperial couple, Princess Aiko honor war dead in Okinawa Japan's former Princess Mako gives birth to 1st child Princess Aiko to make 1st official overseas visit in Nov. to Laos
Kyodo News
10 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Gov't wants Japanese travelers to see more of their own backyard
Spotlight Japan - 2 hours ago - 14:00 | Travel/Tourism, Spotlight With domestic tourism in Japan struggling to keep pace with inbound visitors, a government report encourages residents to get out and spend more time experiencing their country's regional charms. In its annual white paper on tourism, the Japan Tourism Agency shifted focus from inbound visitors to target Japanese domestic travelers whose numbers are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Domestic overnight and day trips taken by Japanese travelers totaled around 540 million in 2024, down 8.2 percent compared to 2019, according to the report. By contrast, Japan welcomed 36.87 million foreign visitors in 2024, up 15.6 percent compared to 2019. Despite efforts to encourage foreign visitors to explore regional destinations across Japan, Japanese travelers still accounted for more than 85 percent of overnight stays in rural areas in 2024. But with the population aging and shrinking, the agency said it was necessary to promote an increase in the frequency and duration of visits among individual Japanese travelers. Harnessing a trend among young travelers to be more involved with local communities, the agency said it will promote a new style of travel, moving away from the typical tourist experience. By facilitating opportunities for engagement between travelers and locals at the destination, it wants to encourage repeat visits that give travelers a feeling of having returned home. The report highlighted the success of recent demonstration projects, among them a project in the mountain town of Dake Onsen, in Fukushima Prefecture. Visitor programs introduced by the town's tourist association have broadened the area's appeal beyond mountaineering and encouraged local mountain guides to take on the wider role of trip coordinator. According to the report, the programs have helped bring a new profile of visitor to the area, in addition to hikers and mountaineers. With an increasing number of Japanese placing more value on leisure time, the agency also said that it aims to remove barriers to travel, including a reluctance to take time off work. The report highlighted a so-called 'learcation' initiative implemented by Aichi Prefecture. A combination of "learn" and "vacation," the initiative encourages working parents to make use of vacation days by allowing them to take their children out of school for a day of educational experiences. The initiative allows for three days a year out of school. Parents and students must submit a plan for the day in advance. Over 36 percent of students in public elementary schools across the prefecture made use of at least one of the days during the 2024 academic year, according to a prefecture survey. Despite the number of travelers remaining sluggish, spending by Japanese on domestic trips hit a record high of 25.1 trillion yen ($176 billion) in 2024 -- an average of around 47,000 yen per traveler on a single trip, based on preliminary figures. Hot spring resorts and local food were the most popular trip themes for nearly all age groups, according to the report. This article was submitted by a contributing writer for publication on Kyodo News Plus. Related coverage: Over 60% of train travelers annoyed by behavior of foreign tourists: survey Gunma Pref. tops relocation destination ranking Gov't pictograms target tourists behaving badly
