The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum

The museum, housed in a historic building completed as the Japan Bank Otaru Branch in Meiji 45 (1912), features architecture designed by the famous Kingo Tatsuno and his disciples, known for the red brick construction of Tokyo Station. The elegant Renaissance-style architecture, preserving the atmosphere of the time, is now designated as a cultural property by Otaru City.

Inside the museum, which utilizes the ambiance of historical buildings, you can learn about the history and operations of Japan Bank, as well as financial mechanisms, in an easy-to-understand manner. The "Business Exhibition Zone" showcases various efforts to prevent counterfeit bills and details the life cycle of banknotes, taking advantage of Japan Bank's unique role as the sole issuer of banknotes in Japan. Additionally, the "Video Room" screens three original videos summarizing Japan Bank's operations and focusing on banknotes.

The museum also offers guided tours by staff daily at 2:00pm and 3:00pm (approximately 30 minutes each), which are highly praised for their clarity.