Part of Japan's 47 Prefectures Coin Program, launched in 2008 to issue commemorative 100-yen pieces for each of Japan's prefectures in rotating regional sets. The Hokuriku series covered Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures — a region historically known for rice cultivation, sake production, and some of the heaviest snowfall in the industrialized world. The program was notable for keeping coins at face value circulation status despite their commemorative nature, which meant most were quietly pulled from change and saved rather than used.
Part of Japan's 47 Prefectures Coin Program, launched in 2008 to issue commemorative 100-yen pieces for each of Japan's prefectures in rotating regional sets. The Hokuriku series covered Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures — a region historically known for rice cultivation, sake production, and some of the heaviest snowfall in the industrialized world. The program was notable for keeping coins at face value circulation status despite their commemorative nature, which meant most were quietly pulled from change and saved rather than used.