Be prepared to go for a loooong time without a drag. I'm losing my mind over the smoking regulations every other day. I get where they're coming from yes, for banning smoking on the streets but goddamnn have they made it difficult to find a spot to do so.
Tokyo was pretty clear and easy when it came to finding smoking areas, even freaking Fushimi Inari surrounding area and Hamamatsu had clear signage and spots aplenty. Now that we're in Osaka, I can't seem to find any. No signs anywhere, even in the station area. There are some smoking spots, but they are VERY well hidden in shopping malls and the only signage you see about them are tiny and floor specific. So even if there's a smoking area in the building, you will usually not be aware of it if you're not on the correct floor.
There's a website that has them listed, but I've found it pretty shitty and the location tracking is janky at best. So either quit smoking here, deal with it or go pound a pint at a bar where they have smoking allowed or try your luck asking the locals.
I've been absolutely smashed and wasted here almost every day, because the bars and restaurants that allow smoking are the easiest to find and I feel weird/rude to go to a restaurant to just down beers. So bars it is. Pray for me.
by elhumanoid