To-ji Temple Smoking Areas
To-ji is one of the few Kyoto temples that keeps ashtrays on its own grounds. Two are inside the precinct; three more sit between the temple and Kyoto Station.
5
Spots
mapped
2
Inside the
temple grounds
¥1,000
Street smoking
fine
On market days the main ashtray disappears
The ashtray by the east gate is taken away for Kobo-ichi, the flea market held on the 20th and 21st of every month. On those two days use the pagoda tea-stand spot instead, or walk toward Kyoto Station.
Kyoto smoking rules
Smoking outside designated zones in Kyoto’s Enhanced Street Smoking Prevention Areas carries an on-the-spot fine of 1,000 JPY. Smoking while walking or cycling is banned across the city, and carrying a portable ashtray does not exempt you.
Read more about smoking fines in Japan →The spots
#1 · 100 m from To-ji
By the five-storey pagoda (Kongo tea stand)
東寺五重塔金剛茶販売所前
Beside the tea stand at the foot of the five-storey pagoda, with a bench. The closest ashtray to the pagoda itself.
📍 京都府京都市南区九条町１
7 of 7 visitor reports found it open
Open in Google Maps#2 · 154 m from To-ji
East gate car park, beside the toilets
東寺東門駐車場トイレ前
In the east gate car park next to the toilets, on the men’s side. Regulars come to this one for the view of the pagoda.
Removed during the Kobo-ichi market on the 20th and 21st of each month.
📍 京都府京都市南区九条町１
22 of 29 visitor reports found it open · rated 4/5 (3)
Open in Google Maps#3 · 799 m from To-ji
Kyoto Station, Hachijo-guchi (Nishinotoin)
京都駅八条口西洞院
Beside the traffic lights on the Hachijo (south) side of Kyoto Station. Narrow, but enclosed, open around the clock and close to Aeon Mall Kyoto.
📍 京都府京都市南区西九条北ノ内町41
23 of 23 visitor reports found it open · rated 5/5 (2)
Open in Google Maps#4 · 662 m from To-ji
Aeon Mall Kyoto, 3F
イオンKYOTO店３階
An enclosed indoor booth with seating on the third floor of the mall — the only sheltered option nearby in bad weather.
Heated tobacco only (IQOS, Ploom, etc.). Cigarettes and vapes are not allowed inside.
📍 京都府京都市南区西九条鳥居口町1番地
20 of 23 visitor reports found it open
Open in Google Maps#5 · 745 m from To-ji
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto, 1F
リーガロイヤルホテル京都 1F
An enclosed booth on the ground floor of the hotel, roughly halfway between To-ji and Kyoto Station.
📍 京都府京都市下京区東堀川通り塩小路下ル松明町1番地
8 of 9 visitor reports found it open
Open in Google MapsSpot data checked against community field reports in August 2026. Smoking areas move and close — if you find one gone, the Google Maps link will show recent photos.
← All Kyoto smoking spots