(Image by Ann Lee via https://www.flickr.com/photos/cyesuta/29679818878/) The Tobacco and Salt Museum first opened in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo in 1978. The museum was founded by the Japan Monopoly Corporation (now Japan Tobacco Inc). At the time, tobacco and salt were under protections by a government monopoly, abolished in 1985 and 1997, hence the themes of the museum. In 2015, the museum moved to Yokokawa in the Sumida ward, into a renovated warehouse building. Today, permanent exhibitions are split into two sections, salt on the second floor and tobacco on the third. The museum also hosts several temporary exhibits throughout the year. The museum houses more than 30,000 items including … 続きを読む

(Image by Dick Thomas Johnson via https://www.flickr.com/photos/31029865@N06/8283321851/) With its lush nature, varied activities and extremely easy access from Shinjuku, Mount Takao in Tokyo is a hugely popular destination for weekend outings and hikes. Its popularity spiked even further with its achievement of 3 Michelin stars in 2007, and Mount Takao now attracts nearly 3 million people annually. Mount Takao has 8 hiking courses catered to hikers of all levels, and nearby venues including a hot spring and museum, make the Mount Takao a great destination for any fun-seeking traveller. To keep it short, this article will only introduce Mount Takao’s 6 must-see spots hidden within it! 6 Spots to Visit … 続きを読む