Japan 500 Yen 1969–1994

The 500 yen banknote was issued by the Bank of Japan on 1 November 1969 and remained in circulation until 1 April 1994. From 1982, newly introduced 500 yen coins gradually began to displace the note from circulation. It is produced in blue tones on a multicoloured underprint background and was printed by the Printing Bureau of the Ministry of Finance of Japan.

The obverse features a portrait of Iwakura Tomomi on the right and cherry blossom branches on the left. The reverse depicts a view of Mount Fuji with its foothills.

The Series B 500 yen note bears a portrait of Iwakura Tomomi in Meiji-era court dress. The ornamental design in the upper and lower sections of the note is inspired by the metal fittings of the Tamamushi Shrine. The watermark consists of cherry blossoms on wavy lines. There is no security thread.

Iwakura Tomomi (1825–1883) was a distinguished statesman of the Bakumatsu and Meiji periods who played a pivotal role in the Meiji Restoration and Japan's subsequent modernisation. Mount Fuji is the highest peak in Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the country's foremost national symbol. The banknote represents the final paper issue of the 500 yen denomination — after which this value moved exclusively into coin form.