Photo= The currency exchange machine first installed by Keihan Electric Railway Co., Ltd. (Gion-Shijo Station, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto)

In response to the increase in the number of tourists visiting Japan, a growing number of currency exchange machines that convert foreign currency to yen are being installed in Kyoto City. Keihan Electric Railway Co., Ltd., based in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, introduced the machines in Gion-Shijo and Sanjo Stations, Higashiyama Ward, for the first time on September 14. The machines have also been installed in souvenir shops, hotels, shrines, temples and other places.

Keihan Electric Railway Co., Ltd. has leased space in the station buildings to ActPro Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based company that handles management and maintenance of currency exchange machines, to install a machine at each station. The machine can exchange 12 kinds of foreign bank notes, including the U.S. dollar, Euro, and RMB to Japanese yen in units of one yen at the exchange rate on the day of conversion. The operation guide can be displayed in English, Chinese or Korean.

Kyoto Chuo Shinkin Bank, based in Shimogyo Ward, has also formed a business tie-up with ActPro Co., Ltd. as a part of the bank's projects to assist its clients. This year, the installation of the currency exchange machines in five tourist places in Kyoto City, including a restaurant near Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Higashiyama Ward, and a souvenir shop in Arashiyama were arranged.

Heian Jingu Shrine, Sakyo Ward, also set up a currency exchange machine in August. Reportedly, it is because fortune slips and other goods cannot be paid for by credit card, as well as many foreign coins being found in offertory boxes. The shrine says, "We would like foreign visitors to feel comfortable worshipping."