Tokyo Stock Exchange

The Tokyo Stock Exchange is the third largest stock exchange in the world, but do not be fooled into thinking this is a hectic place like a scene out of the film The Wolf of Wall Street. Technology has changed how things operate here, with trading now being done online, making the building a calm but still very significant place for both the world and Japan. The building also has a museum, which provides a fantastic insight into the history of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with excellent information, pictures and historic items on display.

One of the things that attracts many visitors is the Stock Trading Game, a simulation game which uses news and corporate information in a virtual market. The game lasts for 10 trading days, where you are given ¥10,000,000 to trade with. Unfortunately on the day that I visited the game room it was reserved for a Japanese group only, so I had to make do with a computer outside. It was still good, but I imagine being in the actual room is a lot better, given the fact you have a keyboard and should be able to quickly type in how many shares you wish to buy or sell, as opposed to clicking through with a mouse which takes up valuable time. I say "valuable" because things change remarkably quickly; one second the shares are up and the next they can plummet, making the speed of a decision a paramount of importance.

As you can see from one of my pictures I didn't exactly do well. Who wants to wire me some money so I can play this game in real life?

Visits to the Tokyo Stock Exchange are free and available Monday to Friday, from 9am - 16:30pm, with last entries at 16:00pm. You can visit the Visit TSE section of the website for more details such as guided English tour availability and Stock Trading Game availability. The closest station is Kayabacho Station, around a 5 minute walk away.