Exhibitions Inside the Museum
The museum is divided into four exhibition rooms displaying coins, decorations, medals, metal crafts, and other objects. The collection consists of approximately 4,000 items, presenting the history of currencies, decorations, and medals from Japan and around the world.
A large clock dating from 1867 is displayed in the entrance hall, welcoming visitors as they enter the museum.
Exhibition Room 1: History of the Japan Mint
The first exhibition room introduces the early history of the Japan Mint. Displays include a model showing the entire mint complex at the time of its founding, as well as clocks, gas lamps, scales, and other equipment used during the early years.
One particularly notable exhibit is one of Japan’s oldest Western-style gas lamps. From 1871, the Japan Mint produced gas for its gas lamps on the premises, demonstrating the advanced technology available at the facility during the early Meiji period.
Exhibition Room 2: The Modern Japan Mint and Hands-On Experiences
The second exhibition room introduces the modern manufacturing processes used to produce coins and medals. Videos also explain the work and operations of the Japan Mint.
Visitors can experience the weight of a traditional senryo-bako, or treasure chest, and a bag filled with coins. There is also an exhibit where visitors can actually touch gold and silver ingots.
Exhibition Room 3: The History of Japanese Currency
The third exhibition room traces the history of Japanese currency, beginning with historic coins such as Wadokaichin, one of Japan’s earliest officially minted coins.
The displays provide a visual introduction to the development of Japanese money and allow visitors to follow the changes in coinage throughout Japanese history.
Exhibition Room 4: Foreign Currency, Coin Sets, and Metal Crafts
The fourth exhibition room features foreign currencies, coin sets, and valuable metal crafts.
Among the displays are Olympic medals and a commemorative shield associated with the People’s Honor Award. Together with the international currency collection, these exhibits offer an opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship and history of metalwork from Japan and overseas.
Entrance Hall and Major Exhibits
Model of the Original Mint Complex
A detailed model of the original Mint Bureau complex is displayed in the entrance hall. Created at a scale of 1:300, the model shows the size of the grounds and the arrangement of facilities when the mint was first established.
The Large Clock
The large clock was made in 1876 by engineer Ohno Norichika. It was originally installed on the front of the factory and used to tell the time throughout the mint.
Its intricate construction and design provide an example of the sophisticated technology of the period.
Hands-On Experience Area
The second floor contains several interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience the history of the Japan Mint through touch and hands-on activities.
Experience the Weight of a Senryo-bako
A senryo-bako is a traditional treasure chest often seen in Japanese historical dramas. One chest could hold 1,000 Koban coins from the Keicho era. Including the chest itself, the total weight was approximately 20 kilograms.
The exhibit allows visitors to experience just how heavy such a treasure chest would have been.
Experience the Weight of a Coin Bag
Visitors can also experience the weight of a traditional coin bag. After coins pass through inspection, they are carefully counted and packed into bags. This exhibit lets visitors feel the substantial weight of a bag filled with coins.
Touch Real Gold and Silver Ingots
One of the most unusual experiences at the museum is the opportunity to touch actual gold and silver ingots.
The gold ingot weighs approximately 15.9 kilograms, while the silver ingot weighs approximately 33.5 kilograms. Visitors can directly experience the surprising weight of these precious metals.
Selected Historical Exhibits
Western-Style Ledger
The Japan Mint introduced what is regarded as Japan’s first Western-style ledger. Written with pen and ink, the ledger provides an important record of the management and accounting practices used at the time.
It was kept under lock and key, illustrating the careful management procedures employed by the mint.
Waei Gorin Shusei: Japanese-English Dictionary
The museum displays a copy of Waei Gorin Shusei, regarded as Japan’s first Hepburn-style Japanese-English dictionary. It was printed in Shanghai in 1867 and had been used by the head of the Japan Mint at the time.
The dictionary is a valuable historical artifact reflecting Japan’s efforts to adopt Western knowledge and technology during the final years of the Edo period.
Automatic Coin Scale
The Japan Mint used an automatic scale to weigh circular coins. Accurate measurement was essential for maintaining consistent coin quality, making this equipment an important part of the minting process.
Hand-Cranked Coin Counter
A hand-operated coin counter capable of counting coins in groups of 24 is also on display. Made in 1870, it was used to count gold, silver, and copper coins and provides an insight into the practical technology of the early Japan Mint.
Olympic Medal Collection
Tokyo Olympic Medal
The museum displays medals from the 18th Olympic Summer Games held in Tokyo in 1964.
The gold medals were made with a pure silver base plated with gold, while the silver medals were made using high-purity silver. Their materials and production demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship involved in creating official Olympic medals.
Nagano Olympic Medal
Medals from the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano Prefecture are also displayed.
The medal designs incorporate traditional Japanese decorative techniques such as maki-e lacquer decoration and cloisonné, expressing the beauty of the mountains of Shinshu illuminated by the morning sun.
Shield of the People’s Honor Award
The People’s Honor Award is presented to individuals who have made notable contributions to society. The Japan Mint has been responsible for producing the award’s commemorative shields since the 10th recipient.
Each shield is carefully crafted as a symbol honoring the achievements of the recipient.
Discover the History of Money at the Mint Museum
Mint Museum combines a historic brick building with an extensive collection of valuable exhibits, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the history of Japanese currency, medals, and minting technology.
The museum’s hands-on displays make it possible to experience the weight of coins, treasure chests, coin bags, gold, and silver, while historical equipment and currency collections provide a deeper understanding of how money and minting technology have evolved.
For travelers interested in Japanese history, technology, craftsmanship, and the story of money, the Mint Museum offers a distinctive cultural experience in central Osaka.