(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 collections of rock salt specimens, Pre-Columbian artifacts, ukiyo-e, antique pipes, tobacco paraphernalia, and vintage posters. There are also life-size replicas of an Edo period tobacco shop, as well as one that would have been commonplace during the 1970s. Be sure to check out the museum’s piece of Polish rock salt that weighs close to two tons.

Why Tobacco and Salt?

The primary reason is that both of these products were government monopolies until recently, and both have had a big influence on Japanese history and culture.

From the Mayans to Modern Japan

(Image by Ann Lee via https://www.flickr.com/photos/cyesuta/43503978392/)

In the tobacco section you can learn about the history of the leaf and how it came to Japan. There is an excellent collection of cigarette packaging, retro posters, elaborate snuff boxes and even artistic ashtrays from throughout history. The replicas of an Edo period and late 1970s tobacco shop are particularly fascinating, and it is worth visiting just to see part of the museum’s extensive ukiyo-e collection.

The Wide World of Salt

(Image by Ann Lee via https://www.flickr.com/photos/cyesuta/43503981352/)

You can learn everything you ever wanted to know about the changing face of salt manufacturing in Japan and see many different types of this essential seasoning from both Japan and abroad. Don’t miss the statue of St. Kinga, made from 1.4 tons of Polish rock salt from the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland.

Museum Layout

The museum is divided into three levels. The ground floor houses ticket counters, lockers, and a gift shop. The second floor is home to the relatively small section of the museum dedicated to salt, as well as a gallery for special exhibitions. The third floor houses the tobacco part of the museum.

The third-floor tobacco gallery is by far the most interesting. On display is a vast array of smoking implements. From pre-Columbian central American pipes, novelty porcelain pipes from Europe, water pipes from central Asia, North American peace pipes, and long slender Japanese kiseru pipes.

Not included is anything remotely modern. So, if you’re looking for some explanation of vaping tech, you won’t find it here.

Despite the harm to human health from these two products, don’t expect to see anything about the negative impacts of either salt or tobacco. The museum is funded by Japanese tobacco giant JT, so this shouldn’t be a surprise!

More Information

Tobacco and Salt Museum

1 Chome-16-3 Yokokawa

Sumida City

Tokyo, 130-0003

Access

The museum is within walking distance of Tokyo Skytree, just 8 minutes on foot from Tokyo Skytree Station. It is also a 10-minute walk from Honjo-Azumabashi Station on the Toei Asakusa Line, and 12 minutes away from Oshiage Station on the Hanzomon Line.

Admission

Adults & University Students: ¥100

Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students: ¥50

Seniors: ¥50

Opening Hours

10am to 5pm (last entry at 4.30pm), Closed on Mondays and New Year Holidays