Chinese coins have been discovered in excavations of Yayoi and Kofun period sites. The first coins minted in Japan, issued by the Nara court in AD 708 in silver and copper, were modelled on contemporary Chinese cast bronze coins. Like Chinese coins, they have inscriptions naming the reign in which they were issued. There were eleven more coinages (using copper) between 760 and 958, and during the 8th century the government tried to promote the circulation of coins. However, payment continued to be made principally by means of barter, the exchange of goods of the same value – for instance rice or cloth. This, compounded by a copper shortage, led eventually in 987 to the government discontinuing the use of coins.

There was extensive trade with the Asian continent during the 7th and 8th centuries, bringing a wealth of precious goods to Japan. These included ceramics, paintings, lacquer, textiles, metalwork, glass, medicines, musical instruments and weapons. Japan became the finishing point of the Silk Route that began in Turkey, and items came from along its length. Examples of these survive to this day in the Shôsôin storehouse in Tôdaiji temple in Nara. Constructed in the 8th century, it is known principally for the treasures donated in 752 by the widow of Emperor Shômu.