Tobacco and Salt Museum 🇯🇵

If you are exploring Sumida-ku, Tokyo, make sure to visit the Tobacco and Salt Museum. Established in 1978 and operated by Japan Tobacco, this unique institution originally opened in Shibuya before relocating to Sumida in 2015. You will discover a fascinating look into the global and domestic histories of two everyday goods that shaped trade and culture across the world.

The museum houses an impressive collection of about 38,000 artifacts, offering plenty of specific history to explore from both Japan and overseas. As you walk through the exhibits, you will encounter a massive 1.4-tonne block of rock salt brought all the way from Poland, alongside an array of other rock salt blocks collected from various parts of the world. To understand the ancient origins of tobacco, you can view a detailed replica of a Mayan shrine from South America, which marks the area where tobacco was first used.

Beyond the main exhibit halls, your visit includes access to a reading room, a dedicated workshop room, a museum shop, and a ventilated smoking room. It is a wonderfully specific stop to add to your Tokyo itinerary.

What to see at Tobacco and Salt Museum

• massive 1.4-tonne block of Polish rock salt
• Replica of an ancient South American Mayan shrine
• Collection of about 38,000 global and Japanese artifacts
• Rock salt blocks collected from various parts of the world
• On-site reading room, workshop room, and museum shop

Visiting tips

Be sure to stop by the museum shop during your visit to browse unique items related to the history of tobacco and salt.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Tobacco and Salt Museum is easy to reach on Tokyo’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Hanayashiki. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Tokyo travel guide.