HYOGO 47 Prefectures (25) Silver Proof Coin 1000 Yen Japan 2012

Obverse design: Oriental white stork. Oriental white stork is grouped into the Family Ciconiidae. Adult birds achieve the length of about 115 cm. The width of expanded wings sometimes reaches approximately 200 cm. Although Japanese oriental white storks became extinct in 1986, Japan succeeded in breeding individuals given over by Russia in 1985, the number of which increased to c. 150 at the end of 2011. Since 2005, Japan has been trying to release them into the wild, by conducting pilot release etc. This effort helps the number of oriental white storks born in the wild increase in recent years. Himeji Castle: Himeji Castle is said to have been built first by a lord of Akamatsu clan. In 1580, TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi governed and restored it. After the Battle of Sekigahara, IKEDA Terumasa became the owner of the castle in 1600. Today's Himeji Castle was constructed by the great renovation, which was carried out by him from 1601 to 1609. Even today, not only the castle keeps — but also watchtowers, gates and etc. are preserved. Himeji Castle was designated as a National Treasure in 1951, and registered as the first World Cultural Heritage in Japan simultaneously with "Buddhist Monuments in the H?ryu-ji Area". Common reverse design of 1000 yen silver coin: Snow Crystals, Moon and Cherry Blossoms.