The yen's recent appreciation against the American dollar is not winning it a lot of fans domestically — particularly among the nation's exporters — but it doesn't seem to be hurting attendance at the Bank of Japan's Currency Museum, in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district.
The museum, which offers a permanent exhibition detailing the history of currency in this country, welcomed its millionth visitor on July 30. The museum opened 25 years ago, in November 1985. According to the museum's Web site, it was a Mr. Sase and his son who achieved the milestone, having been most impressed, ironically, by a display of the bank's recently released — though thoroughly unpopular and underused — ¥2,000 bill.
Earlier this month, a new exhibition exploring wallets from the Edo Period (1603-1867) and Meiji Era (1868-1912) opened and will run until Nov. 24. It features various examples of often brightly colored money-holding pouches, as well as artworks depicting such objects.
The Currency Museum's exhibition of historical wallets continues until Nov. 21. Admission is free. For more information, call 03-3277-3037 or visit www.imes.boj.or.jp/cm