On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus, on his historic first voyage aiming for unknown lands like India, China, and Japan, discovered an island in the Caribbean Sea. Columbus encountered a culture entirely new to him, and among the things he witnessed was "tobacco."

Exactly 514 years later, tobacco, in various forms, had spread throughout the world. Cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, cigarettes... Yet, despite being tobacco products, I believe cigars are in a league of their own. Anyone who has savored a good cigar will understand that nothing else offers such blissful pleasure.

My own encounter with cigars dates back about 17 years, to when I was 22. At the French restaurant where I worked, we offered a small selection of cigars for guests to enjoy after their meals. Portly gentlemen and sophisticated connoisseurs, men who knew how to live with flair, would savor cigars with evident satisfaction after dining.

Witnessing these refined scenes, my innate curiosity was piqued, and I felt a strong desire to learn more about this enigmatic object: the cigar. However, when I tried to research it, there were no books on cigars available in Japan.

When you think of cigars, you think of Cuba!

So, I first obtained foreign books on cigars and began translating them. The first one I picked up was "THE CONNOISSEUR’S BOOK OF THE CIGAR" by Zino Davidoff. Zino Davidoff, as is widely known, was the founder of the Davidoff brand. Deeply impressed by this book, I resolved to turn my thoughts into action.
When you think of cigars, you think of Cuba!

Upon inquiring at the Cuban embassy, I received polite responses to my various questions, and a representative from the trade department enthusiastically shared information about Cuba.
Furthermore, they introduced me to Yamal Trading, a company that handled all trade with Cuba at the time. Hearing that "one could tour cigar factories in Havana, the capital of Cuba," I was so eager that I couldn't stand still. Yamal Trading then contacted the state-run Cubatabaco for me.

With the help of many people, I traveled to Cuba. I felt like "a young archaeologist heading to Greece, or a theology student bound for Rome," as Zino Davidoff put it. What I saw there was the entire world of Havana cigars, each one meticulously crafted by hand. Since then, I have visited Cuba about five times, and each visit has only deepened my passion for cigars. Before I knew it, I was completely immersed in the world of cigars, becoming an ardent enthusiast.

I want more people to
Discover the Splendor of Cigars

In America, the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of the New World ignited a revival of the cigar boom. In stark contrast to the negative sentiment surrounding cigarettes, the number of cigar enthusiasts nationwide has grown, with cigar bars and specialized magazines rapidly emerging.

Why is this? It's likely because cigars, with reduced nicotine and tar during manufacturing, are recognized as being far less harmful than cigarettes. As long as one observes proper etiquette, cigars are by no means a "dirty" indulgence.

While the wave of the American cigar boom is gradually reaching Japan, cigar aficionados remain a minority here. Driven by the desire to "let more people know the magnificence of cigars" and "share the joy of spending time with cigars with as many people as possible," I published Japan's first book on cigars, "The World of Cigars: How to Spend Luxurious Time" (Nitto Shoin), in December 1997.

A cigar is a fine companion in life, capable of enhancing your most fulfilling moments. Cigars possess a mysterious charm that captivates the soul.


Through this website, "The Cigar Museum," I hope you will discover the allure of cigars and deepen your understanding not only of cigars themselves but also of the "etiquette" that surrounds them.
I promise you here that even a single, fine cigar can bring you the ultimate sense of satisfaction.