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Message:: [QUOTE="krispy, post: 2023894, member: 19065"]Note: This was created as a super basic informational thread about coins and banknotes resources in Japan. If you are thinking to travel to Japan you might like to “Watch Thread” for future reference. Background:I worked in Japan for three years from 2011 - 2014 and while I was there I tried my best to learn about Japanese coins, meet dealers, attended regular coin shows and add some pieces to my collection. I also was aided by another CoinTalk member whom I knew from this forum before I went to Japan. We met several times at coin shows in Japan and we enjoyed chatting and browsing the bourse floor together. He was instrumental in teaching me the ropes and because he’s fluent, helped my introduction to several dealers. I owe much to him for his mentoring. Enjoying the hobby IN a foreign place:Delving into numismatics in a foreign country can be challenging. For one, your home country’s coins and notes are seen as “foreign” or “world” and there’s not much of the material, especially of the quality and quantity for purchase, that you may be used to. It can also trade at a premium even for inferior pieces. Also, you may be at a disadvantage when it comes to language. One easily stands out as does a Westerner in appearance in a mostly Asian setting, so you are easily assessed unless you can talk-the-talk, literally. If you can’t speak well, nor know the local etiquette for politeness in negotiation of prices on things such as coins, then you can’t well negotiate a deal, and are often left with paying the asking price if you want something. There are also major differences and tolerances for cleaned coins, certified or raw coins, the grading systems employed by other countries, how collectors and dealers transact and so much more. Besides all of that, you have to find the material you like, the dealers who are personable and to your satisfaction as reputable and worthy of your time and money. I noticed there were no dealer listings or reviews for Japan, so with Peter’s approval and assistance, he added them to the <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/directory/japan.320" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/directory/japan.320">CoinTalk Dealer Directory.</a>  I have supplied information and a brief review of each of those which I had personal experience with and would recommend to others. I also assembled some other information related to coin, banknotes, postage stamps and dealer associations, which don’t fit the Dealer Directory, but which Peter advised me to share in a new World Coins thread. Who might find this useful:I figured some of what I know and worked to assemble could also come in handy for others, should you be traveling to or through Japan on business, for leisure, study or if you are a member of the military and stationed in that part of the world, and into coins and such things. So this thread and the dealers I’ve reviewed in the <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/directory/japan.320" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/directory/japan.320">Dealer Directory</a> contain some general overviews into where one might get started IN Japan. And if you do read/speak Japanese, you are well on your way! I’m still working on that myself. How information is arranged:I tried to arrange the information in this thread, and those in the <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/directory/japan.320" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/directory/japan.320">Dealer Directory</a> in a simple format specifying information about: Specialty, Shop, Other info, Language, Address, Contact Info, and my own brief personal review. In these, I also tried to list addresses in both English alphabet and Japanese characters, especially when English is not provided on a website. If you don’t read Japanese it can be tricky to navigate with an address that you can’t even pronounce or understand what its’ parts mean, even when using Google Maps or when you get lost and need to say what you are look for to a native speaker. Without further ado… <a href="http://www.jnda.or.jp/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.jnda.or.jp/" rel="nofollow">Japan Numismatic Dealers Association</a> (J. N. D. A.) <a href="http://www.jnda.or.jp/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.jnda.or.jp/" rel="nofollow">http://www.jnda.or.jp/</a> This organization is likable to a PCDA, PNG or ANA type organization in the U.S. They host major annual coin shows and smaller seasonal venues for  dealers and collectors to come together. They do appraisals and certify Japanese coins and provide dealer information in something like a Dealer Directory similar to how the ANA does it on their site. Many coin websites are very rudimentary in Japan and sales seem to be more in dealer shops, at shows and via mail-auctions. Language: Some English information is available online. The English page is infrequently updated with JNDA hosted coin show dates. The Japanese page is regularly updated and more useful but you must be able to read Japanese to use it most effectively. Other info: Coin shows in Japan do not require the public to pay an admission fee to enter, nor make advanced registration. Most just ask you to sign in as you enter. There aren’t such heavy long waiting lines to enter. Shows are generally held for 2-3 days at a time. Shows also follow the same general pattern of annual dates that are similar to those dates and venues of past events.  The largest annual event held in Tokyo each May coincides with a major multi-day long holiday often referred to as Golden Week in the first part of the month– The Tokyo International Coin Convention, which celebrated 25 years in 2014. At this show many international dealers attend, as well as many world mints. <a href="http://www.jnda.or.jp/com/member_dealers.htm" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.jnda.or.jp/com/member_dealers.htm" rel="nofollow">JNDA Members list</a> - <a href="http://www.jnda.or.jp/com/member_dealers.htm" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.jnda.or.jp/com/member_dealers.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.jnda.or.jp/com/member_dealers.htm</a> This page is good for checking out reputable dealers associated with the JNDA and find many links or addresses and contact information to dealers’ physical shops. JNDA members usually display their member number on their homepage. JNDA Address:#409 New Shinbashi Bldg., 2-16-1, Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan Tel. 813-3508-1701 +++ The Japan Mint - <a href="http://www.mint.go.jp/category/eng" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.mint.go.jp/category/eng" rel="nofollow">http://www.mint.go.jp/category/eng</a> Specialty: Minting of Japan’s national currency, business strike and NIFC collector coins. Shop: Tours of the Mint are possible. Online and Mint shop. Some international mail order possible. Language: Some English online. Address: The Japan Mint has three primary addresses: <a href="http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/buy-eng/eng_coin_mint_shop.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/buy-eng/eng_coin_mint_shop.html" rel="nofollow"></a><a href="http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/buy-eng/eng_coin_mint_shop.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/buy-eng/eng_coin_mint_shop.html" rel="nofollow"> </a><a href="http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/buy-eng/eng_coin_mint_shop.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/buy-eng/eng_coin_mint_shop.html" rel="nofollow">Osaka, Tokyo Branch and Hiroshima Mint Museum </a> <a href="http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/buy-eng/eng_coin_mint_shop.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/buy-eng/eng_coin_mint_shop.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/buy-eng/eng_coin_mint_shop.html</a> [ English info online ] Review:Have you visited the Mint? No. However I have visited their booth at the annual Tokyo International Coin Convention. Purchased from the Mint? No. I don't collect modern Japanese coins. +++ <a href="http://www.npb.go.jp/en/intro" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.npb.go.jp/en/intro" rel="nofollow">National Printing Bureau</a> - <a href="http://www.npb.go.jp/en/intro" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.npb.go.jp/en/intro" rel="nofollow">http://www.npb.go.jp/en/intro</a> Specialty: Security engraving, banknote printing and distribution of Japanese securities. Shop: See, Banknote & Postage Stamp Museum below. Language: Online offers a fair amount of content in English about banknotes, technology, security, FAQ. Address: n/a Review: This is Japan’s agency for producing banknote for commerce and trade. +++ <a href="http://www.npb.go.jp/en/museum/index.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.npb.go.jp/en/museum/index.html" rel="nofollow">Banknote & Postage Stamp Museum</a> - <a href="http://www.npb.go.jp/en/museum/index.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.npb.go.jp/en/museum/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.npb.go.jp/en/museum/index.html</a> (English) Specialty: Japanese Banknote and Postage stamp exhibitions. Shop: May have an onsite gift shop. Language: Both Japanese and English online. Museum may have English gallery guides available. Address:Prince House #1 (bldg.)1-Chome 6-1 Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo 114-0002 王子住宅１号棟〒114-0002 東京都北区王子1-6-1 Located near: 5 minutes walk from Prince Station on the JR Keihin Tokoku train lin. Review: Have you visited the museum?  I haven’t visited the museum but it would be of interest to see historical Japanese currency and postage on display. Admission is Free. Purchases from the museum? Nothing direct from the museum. +++ Insatsu Choyokai Foundation - <a href="http://www.choyokai.or.jp/ticc.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.choyokai.or.jp/ticc.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.choyokai.or.jp/ticc.html</a>[ ‘Rising Sun Print Foundation’ ] Specialty: Information, history and education about banknote printing and security engraving in Japan for the public, and more. Shop: Produces and distributes publications on banknotes and related material, and are available for sale online (mail-order) but are Japanese language only. Like the Bureau of Engraving & Printing in the U.S., Insatsu Choyokai Foundation attends the annual Tokyo International Coin Convention, and demonstrates for the public how intaglio presses and engravings work and banknotes are produced, plus they have displays of historical banknotes and engravings to see. Language: Japanese only. Address:Insatsu Choyokai Foundation) 2 Chome-30-2 Kaminakazato, Kita-ku, Tōkyō-to, Japan  114-0016 〒114-0016東京都北区上中里２丁目３０番２号一般財団法人　印刷朝陽会 Tel. +81-03-3927-8796 Review: Have you visited the ICF? No. However I have visited their booth at three annual Tokyo International Coin Conventions. More info (Japanese only) with pictures of kids printing, here : <a href="http://www.choyokai.or.jp/kaheimaturi.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.choyokai.or.jp/kaheimaturi.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.choyokai.or.jp/kaheimaturi.html</a> Purchased from the ICF? Yes. I bought a souvenir card depicting an historical Japanese banknote. These are for sale online. +++ That’s all for this post in this thread. It’s just a brief collection of information I hope would inspire some or be useful of you go there. If you know of other cities and more numismatic discoveries to be enjoyed in Japan, please share them or ask Peter to add a dealer you know to the <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/directory/japan.320" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/directory/japan.320">CoinTalk Dealer Directory</a>. And remember to check out the Dealer Directory, which you can access from the link at the top of the CoinTalk navigation bar, or my links right here in the thread. Thanks for reading and please let us know of your own experiences, or any corrections to make in the information I posted. Regards.[/QUOTE]

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