Banknotes of the Japanese Yen come in three denominations - 1000 yen (~10 USD) , 5000 yen (~50 USD) and 10,000 yen (~100 USD). Smaller amounts are all handled with coins.
Back in the year 2000 however, a 2000 yen note was issued to commemorate the G8 Summit in Okinawa. You can see pictures of the bill below. It's very pretty.
I've never seen anyone pay with these bills in public. My guess is that they are mostly a novelty item, similar to the $2 bill in the United States.
Some Japanese claim that the 2000 yen bills were a failed attempt to boost the economy, since special vending machines had to be made to accommodate the new notes.
I was at the bank today and decided to fool around with the currency converter. This handy machine will break your money into any combination of bills and coins that you please. A few button presses later and...BINGO!...a clean, crisp 2000 yen note to have and to hold.
I'll probably spend it. $2 is fine, but $20 is a bit too much value for a keepsake.
B.E.W.
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