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Tours of the Bank's Head Office

日本語

The Bank of Japan offers English-language guided tours, on Wednesdays of the third week of every month. Advance reservation is necessary. For more information, please see the tour schedule and how to make reservations for English-language guided tours.

Image:Exterior view of the Main Building of the Bank's Head Office

  • The Bank of Japan offers in-house tours of its Head Office in Tokyo to help visitors learn more about the Bank's role and business operations.

  • BOJ from Home

    Follow the links on this page to watch the video series "Must-Sees on the Bank of Japan's Head Office Tours" and enjoy a 3-D tour of the Main Building.

In-House Tours (about 1 hour; reservation required)

Come and join our English-language guided tour to explore the Bank of Japan's Main Building, designated as an Important Cultural Property. The tour includes visits to the underground vault, the former banking floor, and exhibition rooms.

  • Image: Courtyard of the Main Building with its impressive round pillars

    Courtyard of the Main Building

  • Image: 90 centimeter-thick door of the underground vault

    Door of the underground vault

  • Image: Ceiling of the octagonal room beneath the dome that marks the center of the Main Building

    Interior view of the dome above the exhibition room

Basic Information about the Tour

  1. Tour schedule and how to make reservations for English-language guided tours
    English-language guided tours are offered at 13:45-14:45 on Wednesdays of the third week of every month. Please book a tour using the Online Tour Reservation site (see How to Make a Reservation and Join the Bank's Head Office Tour).
    Alternatively, English-language guided tours can be arranged for groups of five or more visitors for the same time slots as Japanese-language guided tours.1 To book a tour, please contact the Bank by e-mail to request your preferred date and time (see How to Make a Reservation and Join the Bank's Head Office Tour).
    1. 1The schedule for Japanese-language guided tours is as follows.
      Monday-Friday
      1. (1) 9:30-10:30 (check-in time: 9:15-9:25)
      2. (2) 11:00-12:00 (check-in time: 10:45-10:55)
      3. (3) 13:45-14:45 (check-in time: 13:30-13:40)
      4. (4) 15:15-16:15 (check-in time: 15:00-15:10)
        Please note that English-language support is not available during Japanese-language guided tours. Visitors unable to follow instructions in Japanese are requested to bring their own interpreter.

    Please note that there are no tours from December 29 through January 4, or on national holidays (see the Holiday Schedule of the Bank). Tours may not be held on some other occasions, due to official events or other reasons.

  2. Tour size
    Maximum of 20 people (reserved on a first-come, first-served basis).
  3. Age requirement
    Children must be at least 11 years old to attend tours; children aged 11-12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
  4. Cost
    Free
  5. Tour program
    The tour begins with a 10-minute introductory video about the Bank, followed by a guided 50-minute walking tour. Tour participants are requested not to leave the tour once it is underway.
  6. Language
    Video: English/Japanese
    Tour language: English/Japanese
    Pamphlet: English/Chinese/Japanese

How to Make a Reservation and Join the Bank's Head Office Tour

In-house tours are available only with an advance reservation using the Online Tour Reservation site or by e-mail.
Booking starts 90 days prior to the tour date, and the reservation process must be completed at least five days prior to the tour date. However, if the tour date follows four or more consecutive days on which the Head Office is closed (see the Holiday Schedule of the Bank), the deadline for reservations may be set earlier than five days prior to the tour date. A notice about the specific dates to which such exceptions apply can be found on the Online Tour Reservation site.

  1. Online reservations
    • Your e-mail address is required when making a reservation. Please place the domain names below on your whitelist (so your spam filter does not block the e-mails) in order to receive e-mails from these addresses:
      @boj.or.jp
      @rsvsys.jp
    • If you have any further inquiries, please contact us by e-mail.
      Tour Desk, Public Relations Department, Bank of Japan
      E-mail : post.prd12(at)boj.or.jp
      *Please change (at) to @.
  2. Reservations by e-mail
    • For groups of five or more people that cannot schedule an English-guided tour using the Online Tour Reservation site, please contact us by e-mail to request your preferred date and time.
      E-mail : post.prd12(at)boj.or.jp
      *Please change (at) to @.
    • Since the Bank can only provide either a Japanese-language or an English-language guided tour in a single time slot, please check the tour reservation website to confirm that a tour is available at your preferred date and time. English-language tour reservations are available only when a Japanese-language tour is not booked for the time slot in question.
  3. List of participants
    • The full names of all tour participants, as they appear on their passports, must be registered one month prior to the tour date, by either:
      1. (1) Filling out the form on the tour reservation website, or
      2. (2) Informing us by e-mail.
        Tour Desk, Public Relations Department, Bank of Japan
        E-mail : post.prd12(at)boj.or.jp
        *Please change (at) to @.
        The forms for tour participants are provided below.
        List of Tour Participants [DOCX 23KB] , [PDF 223KB]
    • The Bank accepts reservations through a third-party reservation system and limits the use of personal information registered on the reservation website solely to arranging tours.
  4. Cancelling or changing a reservation
    1. (a) Cancelling a reservation
      Once your reservation is made, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail. Cancellations up to five days prior to the tour date can be done online using the link given in the confirmation e-mail.
      For cancellations within four days prior to the tour date, please notify us by e-mail or phone (Tour Desk: +81-3-3279-1111).
    2. (b) Changes in tour participants
      Please inform us of any changes in the tour participants, including the number and/or member name(s), by e-mail or phone as soon as possible.
      Increasing the number of participants is possible only when open slots are still available on the Online Tour Reservation site. Please make reservations for additional participants using the site.

Notes on Reservations and Tours

  1. (1) Please refrain from making tentative reservations.
  2. (2) Travel agencies or any other agencies are requested not to make reservations at the Bank of Japan as part of paid programs or services.
  3. (3) Tour participants must be at least 11 years old; children aged 11-12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
  4. (4) The following persons cannot attend tours:
    1. (a) Latecomers
    2. (b) Persons without prior registration. There are no exceptions for tour guides or interpreters.
    3. (c) Persons without ID (original ID only; no photocopies). Participants are required to present a valid ID at reception (see examples of acceptable forms of ID listed below).
    4. (d) Children 10 years old or younger
  5. (5) The tour route includes stairs. If anyone in your group uses a wheelchair, please specify the number of users when making the reservation.
  6. (6) The tour is arranged for a maximum of 20 people, reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
  7. (7) There is no parking available. Tour participants are recommended to use public transportation.

Notes on Your Visit

  • Please come to the West Entrance of the Bank's Head Office (see Entrance for Tour Visitors (Map) [PDF 525KB]) 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the tour and check in at the reception counter. Tour participants will be asked for their reservation number at the West Entrance and at reception. Please present either a printout or a screen display of the reservation confirmation e-mail. Participants are kindly requested to complete check-in at the reception counter at least 5 minutes before the tour starts. Latecomers will be unable to join the tour, which starts on time.
  • All participants are required to present a valid ID at reception (original ID only; no photocopies). Those without an acceptable form of ID will be unable to join the tour. Participants under 12 years old should bring an ID showing their age, such as their health insurance card. The following are examples of acceptable forms of ID (original ID only; no photocopies):
    • Passport
    • Driver's license or driving record certificate
    • Health insurance card
    • Employee or student photo ID
    • Disability certificate
    • Residence Card
    • Individual Number Card ("My Number Card")
    • Basic Resident Registration Card with photo
    • Pension handbook
  • Please note that, for security reasons, tour participants are asked to undergo screening using a metal detector and X-ray inspection of their belongings. Participants are advised to refrain from bringing items that are unrelated to their visit. Other information about tours is given below.
    1. (a) Lockers are available, but only for small items. Please do not bring suitcases or other large items.
    2. (b) Valuables must be kept with you at all times. The Bank is not liable for any loss or damage.
    3. (c) Tour participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes, as the tour route includes stairs.
    4. (d) Drinking, eating, and smoking are prohibited on Bank premises. Photography (except at designated photo points) and audio/video recording are not allowed. Tour participants are requested to speak quietly and refrain from using cellphones or playing games on handheld devices.
    5. (e) Tour participants who do not follow instructions or are disruptive will not be permitted to continue on the tour and will be asked to leave.