Indoor places
For the final answer for a specific Place, applicable local/municipal rules and venue policy must also be checked where they can be stricter.
SMOKING RULES
Smoking rules in Japan
What the law says about smoking here, with country and regional detail.
Private hotel guest rooms are excluded from the general indoor rule, although the hotel may choose to be entirely smoke-free. · For the final answer for a specific Place, applicable local/municipal rules and venue policy must also be checked where they can be stricter. · Certain small restaurants that existed before 1 April 2020 may continue to allow smoking under transitional conditions.
Select a region to see additional regional rules.
Frequently asked questions
The detailed legal rules appear below.
Detailed smoking rules and exceptions
Outdoor places
No specific published rule documented for this area.
Hotels & hospitality
Private hotel guest rooms are excluded from the general indoor rule, although the hotel may choose to be entirely smoke-free.
+5 Read detailed rulesAirports & transport
No specific published rule documented for this area.
Tobacco sales
No specific published rule documented for this area.
Indoor places
CONDITIONAL
For the final answer for a specific Place, applicable local/municipal rules and venue policy must also be checked where they can be stricter.
For the final answer for a specific Place, applicable local/municipal rules and venue policy must also be checked where they can be stricter.
Legal reference: Place-level override check
Hotels & hospitality
CONDITIONAL
Private hotel guest rooms are excluded from the general indoor rule, although the hotel may choose to be entirely smoke-free.
Private hotel guest rooms are excluded from the general indoor rule, although the hotel may choose to be entirely smoke-free.
Legal reference: Revised Health Promotion Act – residential/private-room exception
CONDITIONAL
Certain small restaurants that existed before 1 April 2020 may continue to allow smoking under transitional conditions.
Certain small restaurants that existed before 1 April 2020 may continue to allow smoking under transitional conditions.
Conditions: Bestehend vor 01.04.2020; individuelle/KMU-Kriterien; Kapital ≤ JPY 50 Mio.; Gästebereich ≤100 m²; Kennzeichnung; <20 ausgeschlossen.
Legal reference: Revised Health Promotion Act – transitional existing small restaurants
CONDITIONAL
A dedicated heated-tobacco smoking room may be provided; eating and drinking may be permitted there under the statutory transitional framework.
A dedicated heated-tobacco smoking room may be provided; eating and drinking may be permitted there under the statutory transitional framework.
Conditions: Nur ausgewiesene erhitzte Tabakprodukte; technische Kriterien; Kennzeichnung; unter 20-Jährige ausgeschlossen.
Legal reference: Revised Health Promotion Act – designated tobacco products
CONDITIONAL
Restaurants and other facilities may install a compliant smoking-only room; eating and drinking are generally not permitted inside it.
Restaurants and other facilities may install a compliant smoking-only room; eating and drinking are generally not permitted inside it.
Conditions: Technische Rauchabtrennung; Kennzeichnung; unter 20-Jährige ausgeschlossen; kein Essen/Trinken.
Legal reference: Revised Health Promotion Act
PROHIBITED
People under 20 may not enter designated smoking areas/rooms, including as employees.
People under 20 may not enter designated smoking areas/rooms, including as employees.
Legal reference: Revised Health Promotion Act
CONDITIONAL
In Japanese smoking-purpose rooms, drinks and limited food can be served, but staple meals are excluded.
In Japanese smoking-purpose rooms, drinks and limited food can be served, but staple meals are excluded.
Conditions: Nur qualifizierte Smoking-Purpose-Betriebe; unter 20-Jährige ausgeschlossen.
Legal reference: Health Promotion Act, secondhand smoke controls