February 17, – April 7, 2024

When most people think of a tobacconist, they likely think of a counter with a display case facing the street. One reason storefronts like these spread across the country was that tobacco had become a monopoly in Japan in 1904 (Meiji 37). For example, shops designated as retail shops by the Monopoly Bureau were given instructions as to how they should set up their storefronts and arrange their products. Furthermore, in the early Showa period, retail shops began to form sales associations in a variety of places, and started to carry out group purchases of sales equipment, such as display cases.
This exhibition will introduce you to the changes made in the sale and distribution of tobacco from the end of the Edo period and early Meiji period to the Showa period, featuring items from the museum's vast collection, including photographs of storefronts, sales equipment like signboards and novelties, and even ledgers and other management documents. A tobacconist storefront has also been recreated in the exhibition room. As we take a look back at those storefronts, we'll reexamine their history from the perspective of the sellers.

[General admission fees]

General (Adults and university students)
individual:100yen

Children and pupils of primary, juniorhigh, and high schools
individual:50yen

Visitors over 65 years old
individual:50yen

※Free admission for up to 1 accompanying person with disabilities upon presentation of a disability certificate (Mirairo ID is acceptable).

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  Tobacco products being delivered to a tobacconist, in the mid-Showa period.

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  Signbord "Toyo"
  Tonoi Company, latter half of the Meiji period