Smoking Areas in Asakusa: 2026 Guide (Taito City public smoking areas around Kaminarimon, Nakamise and Senso-ji)

About this guide and disclaimer

This is a third-party guide compiled from the Taito City official site (https://www.city.taito.lg.jp/) — its smoking rules guidance and its public smoking area web map and list — reflecting the situation as of July 2026. The locations, counts and operating hours of public smoking areas may change without notice. Taito City itself notes that "temporary closures or changes to operating hours may occur due to weather such as typhoons or heavy snow," that "operating hours may be changed suddenly at the operator's discretion," and that "capacity limits are set at some public smoking areas so that people can smoke while following the rules." When you actually go, always confirm the latest locations on Taito City official sources and each facility's official guidance. Smoking by people under 20 is prohibited by law in Japan.

Taito City's smoking rules (Ordinance on the Prevention of Littering and Other Acts)

Taito City put the "Tokyo Taito City Ordinance on the Prevention of Littering" into force in April 1998, and renamed it the "Tokyo Taito City Ordinance on the Prevention of Littering and Other Acts" with an amendment in force from 1 April 2021. According to the city's official guidance, smoking while walking or riding a bicycle is prohibited, as is littering cigarette butts, empty cans and the like. This applies to public places such as roads, parks and plazas. In addition, 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning is designated a "no-smoking time," during which smoking is banned in public places such as roads, parks and plazas (outdoors only). Designated public smoking areas are described as being outside the scope of this no-smoking time.

• Smoking while walking or cycling is banned (roads, parks, plazas and other public places)
• Littering cigarette butts, empty cans and the like is banned
• 7:00–9:00 in the morning is a "no-smoking time" (smoking banned in outdoor public places)
• The city states that "no penalty applies," but manners instructors patrol and give warnings and guidance
• Heated tobacco is covered, as it is included in "manufactured tobacco"

Unlike wards such as Chiyoda and Shinjuku, which impose administrative fines, the Taito City ordinance carries no penalty. However, the absence of a penalty does not mean smoking is acceptable. Asakusa in particular draws visitors from Japan and abroad, and there are times when the area in front of Kaminarimon and Nakamise street are shoulder-to-shoulder. Smoking while walking can cause burns and second-hand smoke, so always smoke at a public smoking area or in a smoking room inside a facility.

Where to smoke around Kaminarimon and Nakamise

The route from Kaminarimon through Nakamise street to the Senso-ji main hall is the heart of sightseeing in Asakusa. Smoking while walking on these streets is banned by the Taito City ordinance, and even standing still to smoke bothers those around you when it is crowded. The places around Kaminarimon on Taito City's official public smoking area list are as follows.

• SMOKING & COFFEE BAR SMOCO (Kaminarimon 2-19-11, 10:00–18:00)
• 7-Eleven Tawaramachi Ekimae (Kotobuki 2-10-10, all day)
• FamilyMart Taito 1-chome (Taito 1-1-14, all day)

SMOKING & COFFEE BAR SMOCO is in Kaminarimon 2-chome along Kaminarimon-dori, listed with operating hours of 10:00–18:00. Because that overlaps with daytime sightseeing hours, it is a main option around Kaminarimon. On the other hand, we could not confirm official primary information on any rules set independently by the Nakamise shopping street or Senso-ji for the approach itself, so this article does not assert whether smoking is possible there. Do not smoke on the approach; move to the public smoking areas in the Senso-ji precincts described below or to the places listed above.

Public smoking areas in the Senso-ji precincts (four on the Taito City list)

Taito City's official public smoking area list includes four public smoking areas in the Senso-ji precincts (Asakusa 2-3-1), all listed as available all day. On the list they are distinguished by the following landmarks.

• Senso-ji precincts, "in front of the Nison-butsu" (Asakusa 2-3-1, all day)
• Senso-ji precincts, near the "Kannon-mae security police box" (Asakusa 2-3-1, all day)
• Senso-ji precincts, near the "north-side toilets" (Asakusa 2-3-1, all day)
• Senso-ji precincts, "Hato Bus parking lot" (Asakusa 2-3-1, all day)

Since all four are listed as available all day, they are options early in the morning and after dusk as well. That said, the precincts are busy with worshippers, and routes may change during services and events. Follow the signage in the precincts for exact locations, and observe basic manners such as never leaving butts outside the ashtray and keeping smoke away from worshippers. Availability may change, so check the latest on Taito City official sources.

Public smoking areas around Sumida Park and Asakusa Station

Sumida Park — popular as a photo spot looking toward Tokyo Skytree from the Sumida River side of Asakusa Station — also has a public smoking area on Taito City's official list. It is conveniently placed for before and after using the yakatabune or water bus piers.

• Inside Sumida Park (Hanakawado 1-1, 7:00–19:30; may close temporarily for the fireworks festival)

The public smoking area inside Sumida Park operates 7:00–19:30 and is noted as possibly closing temporarily during the Sumida River Fireworks Festival. On the day of the festival the whole area is extremely crowded and the public smoking area may be unavailable, so plan ahead — bring a portable ashtray and consider simply not smoking that day. Note that the opposite bank of the Sumida River (the Sumida City side) is governed by a different ordinance.

Public smoking areas toward Tawaramachi, Nishi-Asakusa and Matsugaya

If you head out toward Kappabashi Kitchenware Town or Asakusa Public Hall, the public smoking areas toward Tawaramachi, Nishi-Asakusa and Matsugaya are also candidates. The main ones on Taito City's official list are as follows.

• Inside Kinryu Park (Nishi-Asakusa 3-25-7, 7:00–19:30; may close temporarily for crane work)
• Inside Matsuba Park (Matsugaya 1-12-6, all day)
• 7-Eleven Taito Matsugaya 1-chome (Matsugaya 1-3-5, all day)
• paspa Asakusabashi (Yanagibashi 2-6-8, 7:00–20:00, excluding weekends, public holidays and the New Year period)

Kinryu Park operates 7:00–19:30 and is noted as possibly closing temporarily for crane work. paspa Asakusabashi is not available on weekends, public holidays or over the New Year, so if you are looking around Asakusabashi on a holiday it helps to keep other options in mind. Hours and availability at all of these may change.

Manners for sightseeing in Asakusa (crowds, rickshaws, kimono rentals)

Asakusa is known for rickshaw rides and strolling in rented kimono, and the flow of people rarely lets up even in narrow lanes. Smoking while walking is not only banned by ordinance — it also risks scorching kimono fabric or other people's clothes. Avoid smoking near rickshaw queues and photo spots as well. As for restaurants and cafes, the revised Health Promotion Act has been fully in force since April 2020 and indoor spaces are non-smoking in principle; smoking is limited to smoking rooms that meet the standards, so check the sign at the entrance. Always put butts in an ashtray, and if a public smoking area is crowded, wait your turn or look for another one.

Heated tobacco, e-cigarettes and the revised Health Promotion Act

Since April 2020, the revised Health Promotion Act has been fully in force, making indoor spaces non-smoking in principle. Restaurants and similar venues are in principle indoor non-smoking, and smoking is limited to smoking rooms that meet the standards. Under the Taito City ordinance as well, heated tobacco uses tobacco leaf and is included in "manufactured tobacco" under the Tobacco Business Act, so it is covered by the rules. That means heated tobacco also cannot be used while walking, or in outdoor public places during the no-smoking time. The basic rule is a smoking room indoors and a public smoking area outdoors. For second-hand smoke prevention, use any tobacco only at designated places.

Find nearby smoking areas with MottoSuitai

If you want to find smoking areas around Asakusa and Kaminarimon or elsewhere in Taito City, you can list nearby smoking areas from MottoSuitai's map. The same Taito City rules apply in the Ueno Station and Ueno Park smoking guide; if you cross to the far bank of the Sumida River, see the Tokyo Skytree and Oshiage smoking guide; and for planning a walking route around Tokyo, see the Tokyo walking tour smoking spot guide.

Before you go: always check official information

This third-party guide was compiled from the Taito City official smoking rules guidance and public smoking area web map published as of July 2026. The locations, counts and operating hours of public smoking areas may change, and temporary closures can occur due to weather or the operator's circumstances. When you actually go, always confirm the latest information on the Taito City official site (https://www.city.taito.lg.jp/) public smoking area list and web map, and each facility's official guidance.