Miya's Top 5 Japanese Cigarette Recommendations (For Adults Only!)

Man or woman, young or old, smoking in Japan knows no bounds. It's a beautiful country, for sure, but thanks to cramped city environments and extreme overtime hours, it can be a stressful place to live, making smoking a commonplace escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. As a Taiwanese girl visiting Japan, I, Miya, was surprised to find that cigarettes can even be purchased from vending machines! Compared to places like the US, where flavored cigarettes are generally banned, the flavor options are plentiful. Plus, compared to my home country of Taiwan, taxes on tobacco products are also relatively low in Japan, keeping cigarette prices accessible even on a budget.

On the other hand, the government has become increasingly strict in recent years when it comes to where smoking is allowed. To prevent smokers from infringing on the rights of others, especially when it comes to second-hand smoke, smoking on the streets or most public spaces is not allowed. You might even see "no smoking" signs in alleyways, and most locals tend to obey the laws and stick to designated smoking areas when out and about. These areas are actually pretty common, especially around train stations and other gathering places, so make sure you go with the flow and stick to the smoking areas when consuming tobacco products in Japan! Keep on the right side of the law if you're going to smoke in Japan.

Of course, not all Japanese smoking areas are out in the cold (or the sweltering summer heat)! Unlike Taiwan (and many other countries in the 21st century), plenty of Japanese cafes and izakaya restaurants actually still allow smoking indoors, whether it be in designated smoking booths, different seating areas, or sometimes just anywhere at all. These places generally come supplied with ashtrays, and sometimes even lighters, making them popular with office workers on their breaks. If you’re looking for a place to try your funky new Japanese cigarettes, you too can join the ranks of office workers puffing away at these cafes and eateries around Japan.

After singing the praises of Japanese cigarettes throughout this article, I just want to mention once again that these are my personal opinions - and I'm not recommending you start smoking just to try these cigarettes! My recommendations have all been for light cigarette options, and they might be smooth and easy to smoke, but they're still bad for your health. Plus, of course, they're still entirely illegal for minors! So smoke responsibly!


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