This museum is dedicated to the history and cultures surrounding tobacco and salt, goods that were once protected by a government monopoly in Japan. The Tobacco & Salt Museum was founded in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward by the Japan Monopoly Corporation (now Japan Tobacco Inc.) in November 1978.

Tobacco and salt both have deep, ancient connections with human history and cultures, having been absorbed into the lifestyles of people throughout the world and even serving a major role in industry.

The Tobacco & Salt Museum collects resources, conducts research, and introduces a broad range of history and culture pertaining to tobacco and salt. It also extends beyond these core topics to cover a wide scope of themes in the special exhibitions.