5 Interesting Facts About the Japanese Yen

Japan has officially opened its borders to international visitors since the pandemic. So, make sure before you head over you get familiar with the Japanese yen! Reserve foreign currency online to save time on your branch pick-up. Or use CXI's OnlineFX Home Delivery to order foreign currency whenever, wherever.

Don't forget to check out how much currency you need to go on vacation to Tokyo, Japan. We've got you covered with average flight prices, dinner for two prices, and more.

What Year Did Japan Adopt the Yen?

Before the yen, Japan used an old complex monetary system. In 1871, the yen came into circulation when it was created to stabilize Japan's economy. In 1897, the gold standard was adopted as Japan's currency.

Since then, Japan's currency has become much more stable. Today, the yen is the fourth most traded currency with CXI. It's the third most-traded currency in the foreign exchange market, the most-traded currency out of Asia, and one of the highest traded in the world. 

What Does Yen Mean in Japanese?

The name "yen" translates to "round object" or "circle" in English. This is because of the perfectly round shapes of the coins. In Japan, the citizens call the Japanese yen "Okane," which means "money." The yen's currency code is JPY.

The symbol used to represent the yen is ¥, which is also the symbol used by the Chinese yuan. 

How Many Banknotes Does the Japanese Yen Have?

The Japanese yen has denominations of ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000, and ¥10,000. Many people do not know the 5,000 yen banknote features Ōgata Kōrin's painting, “The Kakitsubata Flowers.” You can see all the old and new banknotes at The Currency Museum Bank of Japan. Travel tip - entry is free to anyone!

What Are the Security Features of the Japanese Yen?

Japan's currency is one of the most difficult currencies to counterfeit. The bills feature many anti-counterfeit measures, including watermarks, holograms, and intaglio ink, which raises the print of the bills to the touch. It would be nearly impossible to replicate this currency, making it one of the most secure forms of currency.

The bills even use luminescent ink, which makes the banknotes glow under ultraviolet light!

What Are Money Etiquettes to Know Before Going to Japan?

Understanding how Japanese currency looks and its value is crucial to the Japanese experience because it is rooted in tradition and culture.

• When giving or receiving money, it is a tradition to do this with both hands and on a tray. Money is not to be given by hand.
• Keeping the bills wrinkle and tear-free is essential, so getting a bigger wallet to fit the larger bills would be best to keep the integrity of the yen.

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