To mark the 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law, we launched "Japan 47 Prefectures Coin Program" in 2008. In this program, we will have issued silver coins and bi-color clad coins of 47 prefectures in Japan until 2016. Obverse carries each prefecture's own design in color and reverse design is all the same except the inscription of the issue year.

Yamanashi Coin
Obverse design: Fujisan, Yamanashi Maglev Test Line and grapes

Mt. Fuji: Fujisan, also known as Mt. Fuji, is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776m. Mt. Fuji has been elevated to the status of a divinity as a religious object through the ages and also has been a resource of various art works in Japan. As a symbol of Japan, Mt. Fuji was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in June 2013 because of its great historical and cultural values.

Yamanashi Mag-lev Test Line: The only test line of the magnetically-levitated (Maglev) train in Japan. Constructed at the eastern part of Yamanashi prefecture, and the test run started in 1997.

Grapes: Kōshu Grape is said to be a Japanese indigenous grape with 1,300 years history, and has been cultivated in Katsunuma area in Yamanashi. It is now widely cultivated in Yamanashi prefecture as eating or wine grapes. The harvest season is from the middle of September to late October.

500 yen bi–color clad coin. Obverse design: Fujisan and grapes

Kagoshima Coin
Obverse design: Jōmonsugi Cedar Tree, Mt. Nagatadake, and Yakushima Rhododendron in Yakushima Island

Jōmonsugi Cedar Tree: Jōmonsugi Cedar Tree is known as the oldest Yakusugi cryptomeria tree with the height of 25.3m and is estimated to be between 2,170 years old and 7,200 years old. The tree’s name is said to come from the Jōmon period of Japanese prehistory because it is a survivor of the Jōmon period dating back to about 16,500 years ago.

Mt. Nagatadake: One of the high mountains called Okudake centrally-located in Yakushima Island. The height above sea level is 1,886m. Many granite rocks are exposed by erosion around the top of the mountain, and it formed an unique landscape with the mountain ridge like a folding screen.

Yakushima Rhododendron: An evergreen low tree with the height of 2 to 3 m living in the area over 1,200 m above sea level. One of the indigenous species of Yakushima Island. 5 to12 blossoms of sanguine or pink color bloom on every tip of the branches from late May to early June every year.

500 yen bi–color clad coin. Obverse design: Mt. Sakurajima

Mt. Sakurajima: Mt. Sakurajima is a volcanic island with about 12 km from east to west and about 10 km from north to south in Kinkowan Bay. It used to be a literally island, but after the eruption in 1914, it connected with the peninsula. Mt. Sakurajima is an active volcano and the fuming Mt. Sakurajima is difinitely one of the most famous landscape of Kagoshima prefecture.

Country: Japan
Data of issue: August 2013
Face value: 1000 yen
Metal: Silver .999
Weight: 31,10 g
Diameter: 40 mm
Quality: Proof
Mintage: 100 000 pcs