Smoking Areas at Expressway SA/PA: Complete 2026 Guide (NEXCO rules and how to find them)
Table of contents
- 1.About this guide and disclaimer
- 2.General smoking rules at SA/PA (indoors non-smoking in principle; smoke at outdoor smoking corners)
- 3.Smoke-separation policies of the three NEXCO companies (East, Central, West)
- 4.Not every SA/PA has a smoking area (how to check)
- 5.Examples such as the smoking lounge at Ebina Service Area
- 6.In-car smoking and manners (never litter cigarette butts)
- 7.Heated tobacco and e-cigarettes
- 8.Find smoking areas near SA/PA and your destination with MottoSuitai
- 9.Before you set off: always check each company's official information
About this guide and disclaimer
This is a third-party guide compiled from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's official information on second-hand smoke measures (https://jyudokitsuen.mhlw.go.jp/point/) and the official guidance of the three expressway operators NEXCO East, Central and West, reflecting the situation as of July 2026. Whether a smoking area exists, and its location, count and operation may change without notice. When you actually use one, always confirm the latest location on each company's official SA/PA search or facility guide.
General smoking rules at SA/PA (indoors non-smoking in principle; smoke at outdoor smoking corners)
The revised Health Promotion Act, fully in force since April 2020, made the indoors of facilities used by many people non-smoking in principle. The main buildings of SA/PA — housing shops, restaurants and food courts — are "Type II facilities" under this law, so indoors is in principle non-smoking. Smoking is basically done at outdoor smoking corners or at enclosed (booth-type) smoking rooms. Do not smoke where there is no ashtray, or where signage marks the spot as non-smoking.
- The main building (indoor shops, restaurants, etc.) is a Type II facility, in principle indoor non-smoking
- Smoke at outdoor smoking corners or enclosed smoking rooms
- Do not smoke where there is no ashtray or where a non-smoking sign is posted
- As consideration for second-hand smoke, avoid smoking at entrances or busy walkways
- Whether a smoking area exists and its location differ by SA/PA (see below)
- At facilities connected to parks, such as a Highway Oasis, follow the connected facility's rules too
Smoke-separation policies of the three NEXCO companies (East, Central, West)
Expressway SA/PA are managed mainly by three companies: NEXCO East, Central and West. Each publishes official policies on preventing second-hand smoke and separating smoking areas.
- NEXCO East: Its driving information site "Drive Plaza" has a "smoking areas at service areas" guide page, which states that smoking outside of smoking spaces is discouraged. From the SA/PA search you can check whether each area has a smoking area (source: https://www.driveplaza.com/sapa/shisetsu_service/smoking_area/).
- NEXCO Central: To promote outdoor smoke separation, it is consolidating ashtrays at all SA/PA and installing no-smoking signs and signs guiding people to smoking corners. Smoking is limited to specific outdoor smoking corners, and smoking areas appear in each SA's facility guide (source: https://highwaypost.c-nexco.co.jp/en/voice/02.html).
- NEXCO West: To prevent second-hand smoke, it has a policy of placing smoking areas away from restroom buildings (source: https://corp.w-nexco.co.jp/activity/cs/038/).
Not every SA/PA has a smoking area (how to check)
What you should note is that not every SA/PA has a smoking area. NEXCO East's official guidance itself is premised on there being areas "with" and "without" a smoking area. To be sure whether the SA/PA you plan to stop at has a smoking area, check each company's official SA/PA search or facility guide in advance.
- Decide your route and the SA/PA you will stop at in advance
- Open the relevant area's page from each company's official SA/PA search
- Check the facility/service list for a "smoking area" entry or smoking icon
- If there is no smoking area, plan to refrain from smoking until the next SA/PA that has one
Examples such as the smoking lounge at Ebina Service Area
As an example of a specific SA, according to NEXCO Central's official press release (2014), an enclosed smoking room called the "Smoking Lounge" — clear-glass-walled and equipped with air conditioning and exhaust — was installed at Ebina Service Area (outbound) on the Tomei Expressway (source: https://www.c-nexco.co.jp/corporate/pressroom/news_old/index.php?id=491). However, because the presence of a smoking area can change with facility renovation and operational policy, always confirm the latest presence and location in each SA's facility guide. For the specific smoking-area locations at Ashigara SA, Dangozaka SA, Sano SA and others, this guide does not assert anything beyond what could be confirmed in official primary sources; please check each company's official SA/PA search and facility guide.
In-car smoking and manners (never litter cigarette butts)
Smoking inside a private car is not directly regulated by the revised Health Promotion Act. However, sufficient consideration is needed for second-hand smoke affecting passengers, especially those under 20 or pregnant. Because sidestream smoke lingers inside the car even with the windows open, it is preferable to refrain from smoking when you have passengers.
And never throw cigarette butts out of the window while driving. Littering butts is prohibited by many municipal ordinances and is also problematic under the Road Traffic Act, and it can cause fires. Smoke at the SA/PA smoking area, and always take your butts home using a portable or in-car ashtray, or dispose of them in the smoking area's ashtray.
Heated tobacco and e-cigarettes
Heated tobacco and e-cigarettes should also basically be used in a smoking room/area indoors and at a designated smoking corner outdoors. Inside SA/PA main buildings, as with cigarettes, refrain from using them anywhere other than the designated smoking place. As consideration for second-hand smoke, use any tobacco in a smoking area.
Find smoking areas near SA/PA and your destination with MottoSuitai
If you want to find smoking areas not only at expressway SA/PA but also in the towns where you stop or at your destination, you can list nearby smoking areas from MottoSuitai's map. For getting around by rental car or your own car, see the transport guide for smokers in Japan; for portable ashtrays handy while driving, see the guide to choosing a portable ashtray; and for street-smoking fines in the towns you stop in, see the guide to street-smoking fines by municipality.
Before you set off: always check each company's official information
This third-party guide was compiled from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's information on second-hand smoke measures and the official guidance of NEXCO East, Central and West, published as of July 2026. Whether a smoking area exists at an SA/PA, and its location, count and operation may change, and not every SA/PA has a smoking area. When you actually use one, always confirm the latest information on each company's official SA/PA search or facility guide. Never litter cigarette butts while driving; use a portable ashtray or the smoking area's ashtray.
How to make good use of SA/PA smoking areas on an expressway drive: 4 steps
On expressways where not every SA/PA has a smoking area, how to find one while minding your manners.
- 1
Step 1
Check whether a smoking area exists on each company's official site before you set off
For the SA/PA on your route, check the presence and location of smoking areas in advance using each NEXCO company's official SA/PA search or facility guide. Not every SA/PA has a smoking area.
- 2
Step 2
Smoke at outdoor smoking corners or enclosed smoking rooms
The main building (indoors) is in principle non-smoking. Smoke at outdoor smoking corners or enclosed smoking rooms, and do not smoke where there is no ashtray or a non-smoking sign is posted.
- 3
Step 3
Be considerate of passengers in the car, and never litter
Be considerate of second-hand smoke affecting passengers (especially those under 20 or pregnant). Never throw butts out of the window while driving; use a portable or in-car ashtray.
- 4
Step 4
Use cigarettes, heated tobacco and e-cigarettes all at smoking areas
Use any tobacco at a designated smoking area or corner. At a Highway Oasis and similar sites, follow the connected facility's rules too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Does every service area (SA) / parking area (PA) have a smoking area?
A.No. Even NEXCO East's official guidance states that not every SA/PA has a smoking area. Check in advance whether the area you plan to stop at has one, using each company's official SA/PA search or facility guide.
Q.Can I smoke inside SA/PA buildings?
A.The main buildings housing shops and restaurants are "Type II facilities" under the revised Health Promotion Act, so indoors is in principle non-smoking. Smoke at outdoor smoking corners or enclosed smoking rooms.
Q.Is there a smoking area at Ebina Service Area?
A.According to NEXCO Central's official press release (2014), an enclosed "Smoking Lounge" was installed at Ebina Service Area (outbound). However, the presence and operation can change, so always confirm the latest in each SA's facility guide.
Q.Can I smoke inside my car?
A.Smoking inside a private car is not directly regulated by the revised Health Promotion Act, but consideration is needed for second-hand smoke affecting passengers (especially those under 20 or pregnant). Never throw cigarette butts out of the window while driving; it is prohibited by many municipal ordinances and problematic under the Road Traffic Act.
Q.Where can I use heated tobacco or e-cigarettes at an SA/PA?
A.Heated tobacco and e-cigarettes should also basically be used in a smoking room/area indoors and at a designated smoking corner outdoors. Refrain from using them anywhere other than the designated smoking place.
Q.Where can I check the latest smoking-area locations?
A.On the SA/PA search or facility guide on the official sites of NEXCO East, Central and West. You can also find smoking areas near your destination on the MottoSuitai map.