Japan Coin Blog

This commemorative coin was issued to mark the 20th anniversary of the return of administrative control over Okinawa from the United States in 1972.The obverse of the coin features “Shuri Castle” in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, while the reverse depicts “two dragons” facing each other; inscribed in the center between the dragons is “20th Anniversary of Okinawa’s Reversion, 500 yen.” The dragons represent a scene widely cherished in Okinawa, depicting them vigorously ascending toward the heavens.

This commemorative coin was issued in November 1990 (Heisei 2) to commemorate the accession of Emperor Akihito (now His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus).The obverse features the “Special Imperial Ceremonial Carriage (No. 1),” while the reverse depicts a phoenix and the chrysanthemum crest.

This coin was issued in 1988 to commemorate the opening of the Seto Ohashi Bridge. Built to directly connect Honshu and Shikoku, the Seto Ohashi Bridge was one of the world’s largest bridges at the time.The obverse of the coin depicts the entire Seto Ohashi Bridge as seen from the Okayama Prefecture side, while the reverse features a map of Honshu and Shikoku.

The 500-yen white copper commemorative coin marking the opening of the Seikan Tunnel was issued to commemorate the opening of the Seikan Tunnel—the world’s longest undersea tunnel—in March 1988.The obverse of the coin features waves and seagulls symbolizing the Seikan Tunnel and the Tsugaru Strait, while the reverse depicts a map of Hokkaido and Honshu.