| Material | Nickel-brass, Cupronickel and Copper |
| Composition | Copper 750 Zinc 125 Nickel 125 |
| Weight | 7.1g |
| Diameter | 26.5mm |
| Year of Production | 2008 |
A 500 yen coin made to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law.
There are 47 types, the same as the number of prefectures in Japan.
It is made by combining two technologies: “Cladd,” in which another type of metal plate is inserted between two metal plates, and “Bicolor,” in which another metal is placed in a disk. “Baikara Clad
There are jagged edges on the sides, and only four places are shaped differently from the rest.
The reverse side is the same.
The design imitates the coins of the Edo period.
It is written in kanji as “local Autonomy” in four characters.
The year and “JAPAN 47PREFECTURES COIN PROGRAM” are engraved.
The obverse has a different design for each prefecture.
The Hokkaido type depicts the former Hokkaido Government Office Building and Lake Toya.
The former Hokkaido Government Office Building, constructed in 1888 during the Meiji era, is a red brick building that has become a beloved landmark in Hokkaido. It was a rare architectural structure in Japan at the time, incorporating Western-style construction techniques. Today, it serves as a museum.
Lake Toya is a unique lake with an island in the middle, offering magnificent views of Hokkaido’s natural beauty. It gained further recognition as the location where the 2008 G8 Summit was held. Additionally, It is the imprint of the wooden sword held by the main character of the popular Japan manga “Gin tama”, and it is a lake that boasts high popularity.
