Smoking Areas around Kyoto Station: Complete 2026 Guide (Kyoto Station area is a fine-collection zone, ¥1,000)
Table of contents
About this guide and disclaimer
This is a third-party guide compiled from Kyoto City's official site (https://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/) — its street-smoking-prohibition ordinance and public-smoking-place / fine-collection-zone guidance — and facility official guidance, reflecting the situation as of June 2026. Smoking-area locations, counts and operation may change without notice. When you actually go, always confirm the latest locations on the city and facility official guidance.
Kyoto City's street smoking rules (ordinance, fine-collection zones)
By its Ordinance on the Prohibition of Street Smoking, etc., Kyoto City asks people to refrain from smoking in outdoor public places city-wide. In addition, it designates especially crowded areas with a high burn risk as "fine-collection zones," and street smoking within them incurs a ¥1,000 fine. The fine-collection zones are the city center, the Kyoto Station area, and the Kiyomizu/Gion area (check the latest zones and amount officially). Because the Kyoto Station area is a fine-collection zone, smoking in the station-front or on nearby roads is subject to the fine.
- A 2007 ordinance asks people to refrain from smoking in outdoor public places city-wide
- Fine-collection zones: city center, Kyoto Station area, Kiyomizu/Gion area
- Street smoking within these zones incurs a ¥1,000 fine
- The Kyoto Station area is a fine-collection zone
- Smoke at public smoking places or in-facility smoking areas
Smoking areas around Kyoto Station
Kyoto City sets up public smoking places around the city. Around Kyoto Station, smoking areas have been provided in the station, the Kyoto Station building, and nearby facilities. According to various guides, there are said to be smoking areas inside the Shinkansen concourse (near the waiting room on the Hachijo east-exit side) and near the taxi stands at the Hachijo west / Hachijo exits. However, locations and operation change, so confirm the latest on Kyoto City's public-smoking-place guidance and the official guidance of JR, the station building, and each facility.
Inside the station (railways)
Kyoto Station is a terminal where JR (conventional lines and Shinkansen), Kintetsu Kyoto, and the Karasuma subway line gather, and the station concourse, platforms and trains are in principle non-smoking. If you want to smoke, use a smoking area in the station / station building or a public smoking place outside the gates. Because the Kyoto Station area is a fine-collection zone, smoking in the station-front plaza or on sidewalks is subject to the ¥1,000 fine.
Heated tobacco and e-cigarettes
Since April 2020, the revised Health Promotion Act has made indoor spaces in principle non-smoking, and restaurants etc. are in principle indoor non-smoking. For heated tobacco and e-cigarettes too, the basic rule is to use a smoking room indoors and a smoking area outdoors, avoiding street smoking in fine-collection zones. For second-hand smoke prevention, use any tobacco in a smoking area or smoking room.
Find nearby smoking areas with MottoSuitai
If you want to find smoking areas around Kyoto Station or the city center, you can list nearby smoking areas from MottoSuitai's map. For a list of smoking areas in the Kyoto Station area, see smoking areas in the Kyoto Station area, for Kyoto overall, see the Kyoto smoking guide, and for getting around, see the transport guide for smokers in Japan.
Before you go: always check official information
This third-party guide was compiled from Kyoto City's official street-smoking-prohibition ordinance and public-smoking-place / fine-collection-zone guidance and facility official guidance as of June 2026. Smoking-area locations, counts, operation, and fine-collection-zone boundaries may change. When you actually go, always confirm the latest information on the Kyoto City official site (https://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/) and each facility's official guidance.
How to avoid the fine-collection zone and find a smoking area around Kyoto Station: 4 steps
In Kyoto City, where the Kyoto Station area is a fine-collection zone, how to find a smoking area while avoiding the fine.
- 1
Step 1
Understand the Kyoto Station area is a fine-collection zone
The Kyoto Station area is a fine-collection zone. Street smoking within it is subject to a ¥1,000 fine, as are Kiyomizu/Gion and the city center.
- 2
Step 2
Check public / in-facility smoking areas
Check the nearest smoking area on Kyoto City's public-smoking-place guidance, the Kyoto Station building / facility official guidance, or the MottoSuitai map.
- 3
Step 3
Do not smoke on the street; move to a smoking area
Do not smoke on the street within a fine-collection zone; always move to a public smoking place or in-facility smoking room first.
- 4
Step 4
Use cigarettes/heated/e-cigarettes only in smoking areas
Use any tobacco in a smoking room indoors or a smoking area outdoors, and be considerate of second-hand smoke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Can I smoke on the street around Kyoto Station?
A.No. The Kyoto Station area is a Kyoto City "fine-collection zone," and street smoking within it incurs a ¥1,000 fine. Smoke at a public smoking place or an in-facility smoking area.
Q.Where are the smoking areas around Kyoto Station?
A.According to various guides, there are said to be smoking areas inside the Shinkansen concourse (Hachijo east-exit side) and near the taxi stands at the Hachijo west / Hachijo exits. There are also smoking areas in the Kyoto Station building and nearby facilities. Check the latest on Kyoto City's public-smoking-place guidance and each facility's official guidance.
Q.Is there a penalty for street smoking?
A.Street smoking in a Kyoto City fine-collection zone (city center, Kyoto Station area, Kiyomizu/Gion area) incurs a ¥1,000 fine. Check the latest zones and amount on the Kyoto City official site.
Q.Do I need to be careful when going to Kiyomizu-dera / Gion?
A.Yes. The Kiyomizu/Gion area is also a fine-collection zone. When walking for sightseeing, do not smoke on the street; use a smoking area.
Q.Can I use heated tobacco in a fine-collection zone?
A.Heated tobacco and e-cigarettes also require care. The basic rule is a smoking room indoors and a smoking area outdoors. Check details on the Kyoto City official site.
Q.Where can I check the latest smoking-area locations?
A.On the Kyoto City official site (https://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/) public-smoking-place / fine-collection-zone guidance, and each facility's official guidance. You can also find nearby smoking areas on the MottoSuitai map.