Before You Visit Ikebukuro: A Guide to Smoking Rules and Smoking Areas in Tokyo’s Toshima City
Centered on Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo’s major transit hubs, Toshima City is home to distinctive neighborhoods such as Otsuka, Sugamo, and Mejiro.
The area attracts visitors from across Japan and around the world with its many shopping, dining, and cultural attractions, including places to explore anime and manga culture.
To help make the city a pleasant place for everyone, Toshima City has established rules on smoking and littering, including a citywide ban on smoking on streets.
This article explains the smoking rules to know before visiting Toshima City and introduces city-designated smoking areas you can use while sightseeing.
Check the rules and smoking area locations in advance so you can enjoy shopping, dining, and exploring Toshima City.
Smoking Rules to Know in Toshima City
Toshima City works to prevent street smoking and littering to keep its neighborhoods clean and pleasant.
Visitors should also be aware of the rules when exploring busy areas such as Ikebukuro.
Here are two rules to know before you visit Toshima City.
Rule 1: No Smoking on Streets
Smoking on streets is prohibited throughout Toshima City.
If you want to smoke while sightseeing, use a city-designated smoking area or another location where smoking is permitted.
The area around Ikebukuro Station is particularly busy with people sightseeing and shopping.
Checking smoking area locations before you start exploring will make it easier to find one when you need it.
Rule 2: No Cigarette Littering
Cigarette littering is also prohibited in Toshima City.
Help keep the city clean and pleasant by not dropping cigarette butts, empty packs, or other litter on streets or in other public places.
When every visitor follows the rules, it helps keep the city clean and welcoming.
Be considerate of others as you enjoy your time exploring Toshima City.
If You Smoke, Use a City-Designated Smoking Area
To help prevent street smoking and littering, Toshima City has designated smoking areas that are open to the public.
There are currently eight in the city, including locations convenient for a stop during sightseeing or shopping.
An additional smoking area is scheduled to open near Otsuka Station in October 2026.
Check in advance to see which smoking areas are close to your sightseeing route.
1. Ikebukuro Station East Exit Smoking Area: A Convenient Stop While Exploring the East Exit Area
This city-operated smoking area on the east side of Ikebukuro Station is open 24 hours.
It is convenient to use before or after sightseeing or shopping around the East Exit.
Keep its location in mind if you plan to explore this side of the station.
- Japanese Name
- 池袋駅東口喫煙所
- Address
- Near 1-29 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Google Maps
- Hours
- Open 24 hours
2. Ikebukuro Station North Exit Smoking Area: Easy Access from the Station’s North Side
This city-operated smoking area is on the north side of Ikebukuro Station.
It is also open 24 hours, making it easy to use at any time.
Keep it in mind before or after dining or shopping on the north side of the station.
- Japanese Name
- 池袋駅北口喫煙所
- Address
-
Near 1-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps - Hours
- Open 24 hours
3. Ikebukuro Station West Exit Smoking Area (in front of Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre)
Located on the west side of Ikebukuro Station, this city-operated smoking area sits in front of Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
The container-style smoking booth opened in September 2025 and is convenient for a stop before or after sightseeing or dining around the West Exit.
Check the hours before you go: it is open from 7am to 12am (midnight).
- Japanese Name
- 池袋駅西口東京芸術劇場前喫煙所
- Address
-
1-8-9 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Google Map - Hours
- 7am-12am (midnight)
4. THE TOBACCO IKEBUKURO inside WACCA IKEBUKURO
This indoor, city-designated smoking area is on the fifth floor of WACCA IKEBUKURO, a shopping complex on the east side of Ikebukuro Station.
The bright interior features a green color scheme, and the indoor setting makes it convenient on rainy days. You can stop by while shopping or dining at WACCA IKEBUKURO, or while exploring the area around Ikebukuro Station’s East Exit.
- Japanese Name
- THE TOBACCO IKEBUKURO
- Address
-
5F, WACCA IKEBUKURO, 1-8-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Google Map - Hours
- 10am-11pm
5. FamilyMart Rikkyo-dori Store: A Convenient Stop near Rikkyo University
This city-designated smoking area is inside FamilyMart Rikkyo-dori Store on Rikkyo-dori Avenue, which runs from Ikebukuro Station’s West Exit toward Rikkyo University.
The location is convenient when exploring Nishi-Ikebukuro, a little farther from the station.
It is open from 6am to 8pm, making it an option if you are exploring the Ikebukuro area early in the day.
- Japanese Name
- ファミリーマート立教通り店
- Address
-
3-29-7 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Google Map - Hours
- 6am-8pm
6. THE TOBACCO IKEBUKURO SECOND inside Ikebukuro PARCO
This city-designated smoking area is on the eighth floor of Ikebukuro PARCO, next to Ikebukuro Station.
It is easy to stop by while shopping or dining around the station, and the indoor location makes it convenient in any weather.
Its location also makes it easy to fit into your sightseeing plans, whether just after arriving in Ikebukuro by train or before returning to the station.
- Japanese Name
- THE TOBACCO IKEBUKURO SECOND
- Address
-
8F, Ikebukuro PARCO, 1-28-2 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Google Map - Hours
- 11am-9pm
7. Sankaku Square Smoking Area in Higashi-Ikebukuro
This city-designated smoking area is in Higashi-Ikebukuro.
Its regular opening hours are 12pm-8pm, Wednesday through Saturday.
Check the opening days and hours before visiting the area.
- Japanese Name
- サンカクスクエア喫煙所
- Address
-
4-29-4 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Google Map - Days Open
- Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
- Hours
-
12pm-8pm
※Temporarily closed from August 26, 2026, until further notice.
8. Otsuka Ekimae Ongakukan Smoking Room
This city-designated smoking area is in Otsuka.
On the building’s eighth floor, smokers will find a dedicated smoking space.
You can use the smoking room even if you are not using the facility’s other services.
- Japanese Name
- 大塚駅前音楽館 Smoking Room
- Address
-
8F, ba06, 2-2-2 Kita-Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Google Map - Hours
- 1pm-10pm
Check Before You Go: Maps of City-Designated Smoking Areas in Toshima City
There are several city-designated smoking areas around Ikebukuro Station, so it is helpful to check their locations before sightseeing.
Find a city-designated smoking area near you or along your sightseeing route, and use it instead of smoking on the street.
Frequently Asked Questions about Smoking in Toshima City
Q
Where can I smoke in Toshima City?
Use a city-designated smoking area or another location where smoking is permitted. The maps in this article can help you find a city-designated smoking area near the places you plan to visit.
Q
Can I use city-designated smoking areas at any time?
Hours and opening days vary by location. Some smoking areas are open 24 hours, while others are available only on certain days and at certain times, so check before you visit.
Summary
Smoking on streets and cigarette littering are prohibited throughout Toshima City.
Before sightseeing in areas such as Ikebukuro and Otsuka, check the locations and opening hours of city-designated smoking areas, and smoke only in designated locations.
Follow the rules to help keep the city pleasant for both visitors and residents while enjoying Toshima City’s distinctive shopping, dining, and cultural attractions.
Author
Writers & Editors
GOOD LUCK TRIP Editors
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