Hikone plant

Tour details

*Plant tours are conducted exclusively in Japanese. Visitors should arrange their own interpretation services to ensure full understanding of tour content and regulations.

Reception

Visitors must produce ID and submit to a baggage inspection at reception.
*Visitors failing to produce ID or arriving late may not be admitted.


Tour Image

Introduction

Video on National Printing Bureau services (30 min).


Manufacturing floor

Observe banknote printing through a window. The large banknote printing machinery is quite a sight! (20 min)


Exhibits

Enjoy learning about banknote manufacture and anti-counterfeit technologies via panels and hands-on exhibits.
Have a photo taken holding the weight of 100 million yen (30 min).


Your guide will be happy to answer any questions on banknotes and the like.

Reservation

Tours: Tuesdays, Thursdays (Closed on public holidays and New Year holidays)
Time: 9:30, 13:30 (Tour lasts around 90 minutes.)
Capacity: 40
Open to: Primary school age and older
Fee: Free
Reservation process Online or telephone bookings must be made between two months and two weeks in advance.
Visitors must comply with the General Rules. Please read them before making a booking.


Online Online
  1. Reservations can be made on National Printing Bureau Plant Tours National Printing Bureau Plant ToursLinks
  2. Please provide information (names, ages and addresses) on all visitors prior to your NPB plant tour.
    The details of up to 10 people can be submitted via this online booking platform.
    For groups of 11 people or more, provide only the group leader's name via the online booking form, then submit the details of all visitors by mail or fax using the form below.
  3. Print out the confirmation email and present it upon arrival at the plant (or show it on a digital device).

Telephone Telephone

(The reservation desk services and tour guides are available in Japanese only.)

  1. Please call the below number to make a reservation.
  2. Then submit the completed "visitor list" by mail or fax using the form below.
    If the forms cannot be obtained from the links, they can be alternatively sent from the plant by mail. Please contact the plant as applicable.
  3. A "plant tour confirmation letter" will arrive prior to the plant tour. Please bring the letter on the day of the plant tour.

Contact General Affairs Division, Hikone Plant
Tel.: +81-(0)749-27-6004 (Japanese only)
Fax.: +81-(0)749-41-0961

(Reception hours: 9 a.m. – 0 p.m. , 1p.m. - 4p.m.(business days only)

Access

hikone Plant

Address

1157-1 Higashinonami-cho, Hikone-shi, Shiga 522-0027

Train

10-minute walk from Minami-Hikone Station (East Exit), JR Line

Parking

Parking permits must be secured in advance.
On-site parking is exclusive to authorized vehicles (including motorbikes and bicycles). Unauthorized parking of vehicles around the premises (including neighboring facilities and surrounding streets) is strictly forbidden in consideration of local residents.

Map

hikone Plant map

Facilities

  • Coach parking spaces
  • Flat area in front of exit (stair access)
  • Wheelchair lift
  • Multipurpose restrooms

  • AED unit
  • No photography/audio recording
  • No eating
  • No smoking

General Rules

Request for visitors' cooperation to prevent infection with the New Coronavirus (COVID-19)

<Request to all visitors>

  • Visitors with health problems (fever of 37.5℃ or higher, cough, sore throat) will not be admitted.

Major efforts to prevent infectious disease

  • Hand sanitizer will be provided, guest temperatures will be checked with non-contact thermometers, and appropriate ventilation will be in place.
  • Mask usage by visitors and tour staff will be left to individual discretion.

Advance reservation

  • Online or telephone bookings must be made in advance. Visitors of junior high school age or younger must be accompanied by an adult family member, teacher or other guardian. If pupils/students in the fourth grade of primary school or older require supervision on group tours, this should be specified at the time of reservation.
  • Data detailing the names, ages and addresses of all tour attendees must be submitted in advance. Those for whom such information is not received will not be admitted.
  • Information on drivers and escorts must also be provided for coach tours (such staff must remain on board if this information is not provided).
  • Elevator facilities are provided for visitors with disabilities. Please inquire when reserving a tour.
  • Refrain from bringing pets to the plant. Any intent to bring guide dogs should be indicated upon booking.
  • Visitors deemed to have the potential to cause disturbance to others in any way will not be admitted even with a reservation.

Arrival instructions

  • Be sure to arrive 5-15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. The confirmation email and ID for all group members must be presented upon arrival.
    *According to the tour start time of 9:30 a.m./1:30 p.m., please arrive at the plant between 9:15 and 9:25 a.m./1:15 and 1:25p.m.. There is no waiting area on the premises.
  • For security, all tour attendees of high school age or older must produce ID and submit to a baggage inspection prior to the tour. Anybody failing to produce an ID will not be allowed on the tour.
  • Visitors are required to deposit their belongings in lockers in the audio-visual area. Large pieces of baggage should not be brought.
*ID (originals only; no photocopies)
Bring an official form of ID, such as a driver's license, passport, health insurance card, student photo ID.
Visitors of junior high school age or younger need not present IDs if accompanied by an adult guardian. Plans to bring one or more small groups of fourth-year or higher elementary school students as part of a school excursion or a field trip should be indicated in the "Tour request" column.

Precautions

  • In the interests of security, general public tours are not conducted.
  • The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. For security reasons, visitors may not leave before the tour ends.
  • Be sure to wear footwear suitable for walking. The tour route includes stairs.
  • NPB accepts no responsibility for any theft or accidents that may occur on the premises.
  • Failure to follow NPB staff instructions may result in discontinuation of the plant tour.
  • Printing machines may be stopped due to production requirements, unexpected events and other unforeseen circumstances. In case tours are cancelled, the group leader will be contacted.
  • Plant tours are intended for visitors of elementary school age or older.
  • (For visitors with infants)
    • Infants must be carefully supervised throughout the tour.
    • Parents with children causing significant disturbance to other visitors may be asked to leave the tour, which includes a 20-minute video display in a dark theater.
    • Strollers may not be brought on the tour.
    • Food and drink are allowed only in designated areas. There are no nursing or diaper changing facilities.

Prohibitions

  • Filming/recording is allowed only in designated areas.
  • There are no café, restaurant or smoking facilities.
  • Entrance to the premises under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited.