Smoking Areas around Shin-Yokohama Station & the Ramen Museum: 2026 Guide (a no-smoking district, ¥2,000 fine)
Table of contents
- 1.About this guide and disclaimer
- 2.Yokohama City's no-smoking district (Shin-Yokohama Station area)
- 3.The smoking environment around Shin-Yokohama Station
- 4.Smoking at the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
- 5.Shinkansen smoking rules (onboard smoking abolished in 2024)
- 6.Heated tobacco and e-cigarettes (subject to the fine)
- 7.Find nearby smoking areas with MottoSuitai
- 8.Before you go: always check official information
About this guide and disclaimer
This is a third-party guide compiled from Yokohama City's official site (https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/) — its no-smoking-district guidance — and facility official guidance, reflecting the situation as of July 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.
Yokohama City's no-smoking district (Shin-Yokohama Station area)
Under its "Ordinance on preventing litter of empty cans, cigarette butts and the like," Yokohama City designates certain areas as "no-smoking districts." The Shin-Yokohama Station area is a no-smoking district designated on March 1, 2010, and is one of the nine districts set by the city. Smoking in outdoor public places within a no-smoking district (roads, parks, etc.) is banned, and under the ordinance even "holding a lit cigarette" counts as smoking. The fine for a violation is ¥2,000. District boundaries and operation can change, so check the latest on the Yokohama City official site.
- The Shin-Yokohama Station area is a "no-smoking district" (designated March 1, 2010; one of nine districts)
- Smoking in outdoor public places within the district is banned
- Under the ordinance, even "holding a lit cigarette" counts as smoking
- Violations carry a ¥2,000 fine
- Heated tobacco is also subject to the fine
- Smoke only in designated places, such as smoking areas in stations and facilities
The smoking environment around Shin-Yokohama Station
Shin-Yokohama Station is a terminal served by the Tokaido Shinkansen, the JR Yokohama Line, and the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line, with commercial facilities such as the station building "Cubic Plaza Shin-Yokohama." Because the area around Shin-Yokohama Station is within a no-smoking district, you cannot smoke in outdoor public places. There may be places where smoking is allowed around the station or inside facilities, but locations and operation can change, and on-site conditions vary — including whether a spot is city-run or facility-managed. When looking for a place where smoking is allowed, check the latest on Yokohama City's no-smoking-district map, on-site signage, each facility's official guidance, and station staff guidance.
Smoking at the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is a popular facility within walking distance of Shin-Yokohama Station. Inside, it is in principle non-smoking under the revised Health Promotion Act. For whether a smoking space exists and the latest operation, check the official site (https://www.raumen.co.jp/) and in-facility guidance. Note that the streets around the facility are within a no-smoking district, so you cannot smoke in outdoor public places. If you need to smoke, move to a designated smoking area.
Shinkansen smoking rules (onboard smoking abolished in 2024)
On the Tokaido Shinkansen, onboard smoking rooms were abolished entirely as of March 16, 2024, making trains fully non-smoking. JR Central also abolished the smoking areas on station platforms. Shin-Yokohama Station is a Tokaido Shinkansen stop, but if you want to smoke before or after boarding, follow the no-smoking-district rules and use a designated smoking area inside a station or facility. Check the latest on smoking at stations and onboard with the railway operator's official guidance.
Heated tobacco and e-cigarettes (subject to the fine)
In Yokohama City's no-smoking districts, heated tobacco is also subject to the fine. Yokohama City explicitly states that heated tobacco is included in manufactured tobacco under the Tobacco Business Act and constitutes an act of smoking, and is therefore subject to the fine. Also, 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 cigarettes, heated tobacco and e-cigarettes alike, use a smoking room indoors and a designated smoking area outdoors, avoiding no-smoking districts. Be considerate of second-hand smoke.
Find nearby smoking areas with MottoSuitai
If you want to find smoking areas around Shin-Yokohama Station or in Yokohama City, you can list nearby smoking areas from MottoSuitai's map. See also the Yokohama Bay Area smoking guide (same Yokohama City rules), the Shinkansen smoking rules, and, for those planning a trip to a leisure facility, the leisure-facility trip smoking guide.
Before you go: always check official information
This third-party guide was compiled from Yokohama City's official no-smoking-district guidance and facility official guidance as of July 2026. Smoking-area locations, counts, operation, and no-smoking-district boundaries may change. When you actually go, always confirm the latest information on the Yokohama City official site (https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/) and each facility's official guidance.
How to avoid the no-smoking district and find a smoking area around Shin-Yokohama Station: 4 steps
In Yokohama City, where the Shin-Yokohama Station area is a no-smoking district, how to find a smoking area while avoiding a fine.
- 1
Step 1
Understand it is a no-smoking district
The Shin-Yokohama Station area is a no-smoking district designated on March 1, 2010 (one of nine districts). Smoking in outdoor public places within the district is banned and subject to a ¥2,000 fine. Heated tobacco is also included.
- 2
Step 2
Check smoking areas at the station/facilities
Check facilities such as Cubic Plaza Shin-Yokohama, or find the nearest place where smoking is allowed on Yokohama City's no-smoking-district map / the MottoSuitai map. Confirm locations and operation on each facility's official guidance and on-site signage.
- 3
Step 3
Do not smoke on the street; move to a designated area
Do not smoke in outdoor public places within the no-smoking district; always move to an in-facility or designated smoking area first.
- 4
Step 4
Use cigarettes/heated/e-cigarettes only in designated places
Use any tobacco in a smoking room indoors or a designated smoking area outdoors. Heated tobacco is also subject to the fine. Be considerate of second-hand smoke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Can I smoke on the street around Shin-Yokohama Station?
A.No. The Shin-Yokohama Station area is designated a Yokohama City "no-smoking district," where smoking in outdoor public places is banned (under the ordinance, even "holding a lit cigarette" counts as smoking). Smoke in designated smoking areas inside stations or facilities. Check the district boundaries on the Yokohama City official site.
Q.Is there a penalty for violating a no-smoking district?
A.Under Yokohama City's ordinance, violations within a no-smoking district carry a ¥2,000 fine. Check the latest enforcement and amount on the Yokohama City official site.
Q.Is there a smoking area at the Ramen Museum?
A.Inside the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum it is in principle non-smoking under the revised Health Promotion Act. For whether a smoking space exists and the latest operation, check the official site (https://www.raumen.co.jp/) and in-facility guidance. The outdoor areas around the facility are within a no-smoking district.
Q.Can I use heated tobacco in a no-smoking district?
A.No. Yokohama City treats heated tobacco as included in manufactured tobacco under the Tobacco Business Act and as an act of smoking, making it subject to the fine. You cannot use it in outdoor public places within the district.
Q.Can I smoke onboard the Shinkansen?
A.No. On the Tokaido Shinkansen, onboard smoking rooms were abolished entirely on March 16, 2024, and trains are fully non-smoking. JR Central also abolished the smoking areas on station platforms. Check the latest with the railway operator's official guidance.
Q.Where can I check the latest smoking-area locations?
A.On the Yokohama City official site (https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/) no-smoking-district guidance, and each facility's official guidance. You can also find nearby smoking areas on the MottoSuitai map. Locations and operation change, so always check the latest information.