Enjoy Sightseeing Comfortably in Minato City, Tokyo by Following the Minato City Smoking Rules
Located in the heart of Tokyo, Minato City brings together neighborhoods such as Roppongi, Odaiba, Shimbashi, and Azabu, each with their own distinctive character and appeal, drawing many visitors from Japan and abroad for both business and sightseeing. With landmarks such as Tokyo Tower and Roppongi Hills, as well as many commercial and cultural facilities, restaurants, and hotels, it’s a place where you can enjoy shopping, great food, art, and nightlife. Minato City also works hard to keep the streets clean and to improve smoking etiquette. As part of these efforts, it has established its own set of smoking rules called the “Minato City Smoking Rules.” To enjoy sightseeing comfortably in Minato City, it is important to have a good understanding of the Minato City Smoking Rules.
The Minato City Smoking Rules Established by Minato City
Minato City has established its own Minato City Smoking Rules, which are implemented alongside national laws and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Ordinance on Prevention of Passive Smoking. These rules aim to keep the city clean and safe and to show consideration for those around you, and they prohibit smoking on the street throughout the city, except in designated smoking areas. The ban on street smoking applies not only to conventional cigarettes but also to heated tobacco products, and patrol officers conduct enforcement throughout the entire city, providing guidance on street smoking.
These measures are intended to maintain an environment where everyone, including visitors, can spend time comfortably. The Minato City Smoking Rules can be summarized in three key points below. They are simple, so try to remember them before you visit.
<Rule 1> Do not drop cigarette butts on the ground.
Throwing cigarette butts on the street or in other public places is, of course, against the rules. Improperly discarded butts can even cause fires, so absolutely avoid this.
<Rule 2> Do not smoke in places other than the designated smoking areas.
In Minato City, smoking is prohibited in outdoor public spaces such as roads, parks, children's parks, and public open spaces in order to prevent people in these areas from having to inhale smoke. However, you may smoke in the designated smoking areas in Minato City established by the city, as long as you follow the rules. In smoking areas that are partitioned off, be sure to smoke well inside the smoking area, not near the entrance, to prevent smoke from escaping into the surrounding area.
<Rule 3> Even in the case of smoking on private property, give consideration to those in outdoor public places so that they do not have to inhale smoke.
There are also rules for smoking on private property that is not considered a public place. You must ensure that people in outdoor public spaces are not exposed to tobacco smoke. For example, if you smoke in front of a shop, even if you are standing on the shop's premises (private property), when it faces a public road, passersby may end up breathing in your smoke. To prevent this from happening, you must always be mindful of the people around you, even if an ashtray has been provided.
Bookmark the Minato City Smoking Space Map Before You Visit
Minato City also takes smokers into consideration by providing designated smoking areas in various locations. They are located in places such as in front of train stations, at commercial facilities, and in corners of parks, and anyone can use them. However, smoking outside or around these smoking areas is a violation of the rules, so absolutely avoid this.
The map below lists all of the designated smoking areas within Minato City. Use it to find convenient locations during your sightseeing or when traveling between places. We recommend bookmarking this map before you visit Minato City.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smoking in Minato City
Q
Is it okay to smoke in front of a convenience store?
Smoking in outdoor public spaces is prohibited in Minato City, so please always use a designated smoking area.
Q
Are heated tobacco products also subject to the regulations?
Yes. Outdoor use of heated tobacco products is subject to the Minato City Smoking Rules just like conventional cigarettes, so please use designated smoking areas for heated tobacco products as well.
Summary
The Minato City Smoking Rules, made up of the three rules introduced above, were established by Minato City to create a community where both smokers and non-smokers can spend time comfortably. To make the most of your visit, we hope you will follow the rules, avoid unnecessary trouble, and take home nothing but good memories.