Japan
Guide
Smoking rules in Japan — where can you smoke?
Japan has no single nationwide street-smoking ban, but most city centres prohibit smoking while walking and instead provide designated outdoor smoking areas, often near stations. Many wards enforce these zones with on-the-spot fines (commonly ¥1,000–2,000). Indoor smoking has been heavily restricted since the 2020 revision of the Health Promotion Act: most restaurants and public buildings are smoke-free or offer dedicated smoking rooms. Heated tobacco (IQOS, glo, Ploom) is widely used and sometimes allowed where cigarettes are not.
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Key points
- ✓Use designated smoking areas near major stations.
- ✓Never smoke while walking in central wards.
- ✓Carry a portable ashtray — littering butts can be fined.
City rules in Japan
Smoking rules vary by ward in Tokyo; most central wards ban street smoking outside designated areas.
Since 27 Jan 2025, Osaka bans street smoking across the ENTIRE city (all 24 wards) — cigarettes and heated tobacco — with a ¥1,000 fine. Use designated smoking areas only.
Kyoto bans street smoking outside designated areas city-wide (ordinance since 1 Jun 2019). In high-traffic “fine zones” (around Kyoto Station, the central area, Kiyomizu and Gion), street smoking incurs a ¥1,000 fine. Use Kyoto City public smoking areas.
Yokohama bans outdoor smoking in 8 designated districts (Yokohama Station, Minato Mirai 21, Kannai, Tsurumi, Higashi-Kanagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Totsuka, Futamatagawa) — incl. heated tobacco — with a ¥2,000 fine. Use the designated smoking areas within them.
Nagoya bans street smoking in designated zones (around Nagoya Station, Sakae, Hisaya-Odori and Nishiki 3-chome) — even standing still — with a ¥2,000 fine. Smoke only in designated smoking areas.
Fukuoka bans street smoking (while walking or cycling) in designated districts — Tenjin/Daimyo and around Hakata Station — under its “Moral Manners” ordinance, with a fine up to ¥20,000. Use designated smoking areas.
Sapporo bans street smoking in the central area (Sapporo Station, Odori and Susukino) under its anti-litter ordinance, with a ¥1,000 fine. Use designated smoking areas.
Kobe bans street smoking in designated districts (Sannomiya–Motomachi and around Rokkomichi Station) under its litter & street-smoking ordinance, with a ¥2,000 fine. Use designated smoking areas.
FAQ
Can you smoke on the street in Japan?▾
Often not in city centres. Many wards ban smoking while walking and only allow it in designated areas, with fines for violations.
Is indoor smoking allowed in Japan?▾
Mostly restricted since 2020. Many venues are smoke-free or provide dedicated smoking rooms; rules differ for small existing bars.