About
In a corner of Yokokawa, Sumida Ward, in the downtown area of Tokyo, the Tobacco and Salt Museum quietly stands. This area is a region where the atmosphere of old Edo remains strong, and alongside the flow of the Sumida River, the lives of people have thrived. The museum building, while featuring a modern design, somehow evokes a sense of nostalgia, warmly welcoming visitors.
Upon stepping inside, the first thing that catches the eye is a replica of a Mayan temple reminiscent of the ancient civilizations of South America. This tells the story of how tobacco was regarded as sacred and used in rituals throughout human history. Since the 16th century, tobacco spread worldwide as a luxury item, forming unique cultures in various regions. It was introduced to Japan at the end of the 16th century and became deeply rooted in the lives of common people throughout the Edo period. In the exhibition rooms, a variety of materials such as tobacco pouches and pipes from the Edo period, as well as advertising posters from the Meiji era, are displayed, allowing visitors to sense the transitions in tobacco culture.
On the other hand, the salt exhibition room introduces Japan’s unique salt production techniques. Japan is not blessed with rock salt resources, so methods for making salt from seawater developed. This technology, which has continued since the Jomon period, involved ingenuity to cope with the rainy climate, creating concentrated brine and boiling it down—a unique method. The exhibition room features actual salt-making tools and dioramas, conveying the history and wisdom to visitors.
In one corner of the museum, a 1.4-ton block of rock salt from Poland is on display. Its transparent crystals could be called the crystallization of both nature’s mysteries and human endeavor. There are also samples of salt collected from around the world, giving a sense of how salt has been involved in people’s lives in diverse forms.
Around the museum, streets retaining the atmosphere of Edo spread out, and just strolling through them allows one to feel the breath of history. Nearby, the Sumida River flows, and along its banks, seasonal landscapes can be enjoyed. In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom; in summer, fireworks light up the night sky. In autumn, the colored leaves are reflected on the river’s surface, and in winter, on clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance.
The Tobacco and Salt Museum is not merely an exhibition facility, but a place that conveys to visitors the history and culture of Japan, as well as the wisdom and ingenuity alive in people’s daily lives. By visiting here, one can reflect on the hidden stories within everyday life and the endeavors of those who came before. And by the time you leave the museum, you may find that a new perspective and a sense of gratitude have taken root in your daily life.