The National Printing Bureau was founded in 1871 as the Paper Money Office (Shiheishi) under the Ministry of Finance and they have engaged in the manufacture of banknotes and postage stamps since that time.  The Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum was created by the National Printing Bureau to preserve the history of the Japanese currency and offers exhibits of historical and current banknotes, postage stamps and securities along with the equipment and technologies utilized in making these financial instruments and ensuring that they are safe from counterfeiting.

The exhibits in the museum are documented in Japanese but are very visual and self-explanatory in nature. There is hands-on area where you can test your ability to carry 100 million yen (US $1 million) and observe how the luminescent ink on banknotes glow.  This Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum is informative and educational and is something that the whole family can enjoy.

The Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum is a 10-15 minute walk from the Ichigaya, Akebonobashi, or Ushigome Yanagi Stations and is open 9:30 – 4:30, Tuesday through Sunday.  Admission is free. (map)

Photo Credit:  Personal Collection

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

The conversion rate for the past few weeks has ranged from 100 to 114. What does this mean? It means that for every one U.S. dollar exchanged you will receive between 100 and 114 yen. That means that Y10,000 is the equivalent of about $93-100 USD. With numbers like those everything looks expensive in Japan!

Imagine telling your friends in the United States that you paid a thousand Yen for lunch. That sure sounds like a lot but it is actually only about $9.25 – 10 USD and is a common price for a set lunch in Tokyo which includes a drink. It’s definitely not as expensive as it sounds.

Photo Credit: Personal Collection

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler