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Returned last week from a holiday to Japan which took in Tokyo and Kyoto. Very much enjoyed Japan and the people were very friendly. And seemed very safe. The trip was an excuse not to have a big party for my 50th but spend the money on myself and the missus. What I found interesting was the smoking rules. Smoking in any form is not allowed in the street but there is cordoned off smoking rooms and areas in different parts of the cities - like what you'd find in an airport. There was even one on the bullet train. But unlike Australia, some bars allowed smoking. It had something to do with the ventilation apparently. Smoked my way through a pack of Cohiba minis and then a 10 pack of Cohiba Club. Just thought they suited the environment with most of my smoking in little street-side restaurants which was fantastic. Smoked a connie A at a place in Ginza, Tokyo, called Le Connauissuer I think it was called. Also stayed the last 3 nights at The Palace Hotel in Tokyo where the lobby bar allowed smoking at the bar and a great selection of drinks and cocktails. I had forgotten how nice it is just to sit and relax inside a bar with a cigar. Must mention a restaurant out of Kyoto where the chef catches his own wild boar and trout. Strangely, the missus found it recommended by Jessica Alba. Fantastic night and tried all the different things on the menu like grasshoppers and bee larvae. But the wild boar chunky yakatori was awesome. All in all, one of the better trips I've had.

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Awesome trip Bill!  Link this to the Tokyo thread in the "Cigar Friendly Locations" folder so we can all find it in the future. ;) 

Tokyo seems to be tightening down on smoking like everywhere else in the world, but at least a few spots survive.  I can't make heads or tails of their logic as to what does or doesn't conform.  Nice to know about the Palace Hotel.  The bar in the Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi (across from the other Hotel Marunouchi where Le Connoisseur is located) also allows cigar smoking on one side of the bar in the evenings.  It would be great to develop a comprehensive list.

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Good to hear you had a great trip and happy 50th!  I have been to Japan 5 times in the past 5 years.  The longest trip was 4 months for work/vacation.  In fact I am returning this December for another 4 months.  A lot of restaurants allow you smoke inside and they do allow cigar smoking.  Especially those bbq type of restaurants where ventilation isn't an issue.  A lot of the bars do allow cigar smoking, you just have to ask the hosts.  I walked by the Le Connoisseur but I have never been in.  The cigars there do have hefty price tags since they have pretty high tobacco tax... well not as high as UK and Australia of course.   Must try their whiskies!  

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