Where are the designated smoking areas around the Bikan Historical Area and JR Kurashiki Station? Introducing all eight locations.

We’ve arrived safely at JR Kurashiki Station! Before I can even take a moment to catch my breath, I’m already ready for a smoke.

That’s the nature of us smokers, isn’t it?
These days, there are no-smoking zones everywhere you go, and the area around JR Kurashiki Station has also been designated a no-smoking zone.

Unfortunately, the trend is toward banning smoking and separating smoking areas.

We smokers are often made to feel unwelcome, with people saying, “It stinks! It’s bad for your health!” But at the very least, we should make sure to follow proper etiquette. However, if you’re visiting the Bikan Historical Area or JR Kurashiki Station for the first time, it can be hard to know where the smoking areas are.

Here are the smoking areas around the Bikan Historical Area and JR Kurashiki Station.

Check a map of smoking areas around the Bikan Historical Area and JR Kurashiki Station

The Tokotoko Outing Map lets you check smoking areas on a map and get directions to your destination. Please give it a try.

There are 3 smoking areas around the Bikan Historical Area

There are no smoking areas inside the Bikan Historical Area, but there are several nearby. Both cigarettes and heated tobacco products (electronic cigarettes) can be used.

However, none of them have a roof or seating.

• Southeast of the bus-only parking lot
• North of Geibunkan Hall (south of Geibunkan Plaza)
• In front of the main gate of Kurashiki Ivy Square

Southeast of the bus-only parking lot

This is probably the most convenient smoking area around the Bikan Historical Area.
It’s located near the Kurashiki City Tourist Rest Area, Kurashiki Central Library, and the bus-only parking lot, so I think it’s easy for both tourists and local residents to use.

North of Geibunkan Hall (south of Geibunkan Plaza)

There’s also a smoking area on the grounds of Geibunkan Hall, a little-known spot.

It’s primarily for visitors to Geibunkan Hall, but since it’s outdoors, anyone can use it.

In front of the main gate of Kurashiki Ivy Square

If you’ve gone as far as the eastern side of the Bikan Historical Area (around Higashimachi), the smoking area in front of the main gate of Kurashiki Ivy Square may be a good option. It’s in a corner of the Kurashiki Ivy Square parking lot and is available to both tourists and local residents.

There are 5 smoking areas around JR Kurashiki Station

There are two smoking areas at the north exit, two at the south exit, and one at Achi Terrace Kurashiki around JR Kurashiki Station.

However, none of the designated smoking areas at JR Kurashiki Station have a roof or seating.

So they can be a little uncomfortable when it’s raining, or in the middle of summer or winter. If you want to shelter from the rain and wind, or don’t want to smoke in the heat or cold, we’ll also introduce some smoking areas at the end of this article, so please use them as a reference.

JR Kurashiki Station, South Exit, 2nd floor (designated smoking area)

To find the designated smoking area on the 2nd floor of JR Kurashiki Station’s south exit, head out of the south exit and turn right with the station behind you. You’ll find it right away.

Perhaps because there are so many people passing by, this is the most frequently used smoking area and is designated as a “disaster-preparedness smoking area” that provides disaster-prevention information.

It can get crowded at certain times, and it’s often difficult to get close to the ashtray. If you can’t use it, don’t force it—use another smoking area.

JR Kurashiki Station, South Exit, 1st floor (designated smoking area)

Exit JR Kurashiki Station through the south exit and turn left with the station behind you. You’ll see stairs leading down to the 1st floor. Go down these stairs and head toward the entrance to Tenmaya Kurashiki.

It’s a little hard to spot, but there’s an ashtray on the street near the taxi stand. This is the designated smoking area on the 1st floor of JR Kurashiki Station’s south exit.

JR Kurashiki Station, North Exit, 2nd floor (designated smoking area)

After exiting the 2nd-floor ticket gates at JR Kurashiki Station and heading toward the north exit, you’ll see the connecting walkway to Ario Kurashiki (a circular walkway that goes all the way around Andersen Plaza).

To find the designated smoking area on the 2nd floor of JR Kurashiki Station’s north exit, walk left along the connecting walkway with the station behind you. You’ll find it right away. Since there are no tall buildings nearby, this smoking area feels open and spacious.

You can enjoy a smoke while looking out at the greenery of Kurashiki Mirai Park, between Ario Kurashiki and MITSUI OUTLET PARK Kurashiki.

JR Kurashiki Station, North Exit, 1st floor (designated smoking area)

From the north exit of JR Kurashiki Station, look to your left with the station behind you, and you will see stairs leading down to the first floor.

The designated smoking area on the first floor of JR Kurashiki Station’s north exit is visible after you go down these stairs and walk a short distance along the rotary toward Ario Kurashiki. If you are using the rotary at the station’s north exit, this is a good smoking area to use.

Achi Terrace Kurashiki Smoking Area

The new building you’ll see when walking from the south exit of JR Kurashiki Station toward the Bikan Historical Area is Achi Terrace Kurashiki, which opened in 2021.

There is a smoking area in a corner on the north side of Achi Terrace Kurashiki. It is primarily for visitors to Achi Terrace Kurashiki, but as it is outdoors, anyone can use it.

There is no smoking area on the platforms at JR Kurashiki Station

If you want to smoke right away, it would be convenient to have a smoking area on the platforms at JR Kurashiki Station. Unfortunately, however, there is no smoking area on the station’s platforms.

So, use a smoking area outside the ticket gates.

[Bonus] Smoking area options when you want to smoke indoors

When you want to take a leisurely smoke during bad weather or periods of extreme heat or cold, an open space can be difficult to use.

Here are four options for those times:

• Doutor Coffee Shop JR Kurashiki Station branch smoking seats
• Smoking room on the 6th floor of Tenmaya Kurashiki
• Smoking areas at Ario Kurashiki
• Smoking areas at MITSUI OUTLET PARK Kurashiki

Doutor Coffee Shop JR Kurashiki Station branch

Regardless of the weather, Doutor on the second floor of JR Kurashiki Station, near the south exit, is recommended if any of the following apply to you:

• You want to relax and have a smoke, even if it costs a little
• You want to have a smoke while drinking coffee

Doutor has a fully separated smoking room, so you can enjoy a relaxing smoke without worrying about those around you. Another plus is that you can use the in-store Wi-Fi.

For details such as business hours, check the Doutor Coffee Shop JR Kurashiki Station branch website.

Smoking room on the 6th floor of Tenmaya Kurashiki

There is a smoking room on the 6th floor of Tenmaya Kurashiki, south of JR Kurashiki Station.
Although it is some distance from JR Kurashiki Station, the 6th floor of Tenmaya Kurashiki is a restaurant floor, so it is recommended to use the smoking room while you are there for a meal.

The smoking room itself is spacious and has chairs. There are few users outside mealtimes, so it may be a hidden gem.

For details such as business hours, check the Tenmaya Kurashiki website.

Smoking areas at Ario Kurashiki

Ario Kurashiki is a shopping mall directly connected to JR Kurashiki Station by a pedestrian deck.

Ario Kurashiki has two smoking areas each on the first and second floors. All are covered.
Since the second floor is directly connected to JR Kurashiki Station, the smoking area in the second-floor food court may be the most convenient to use.

Check the Ario Kurashiki website for the exact locations.

Smoking areas at MITSUI OUTLET PARK Kurashiki

MITSUI OUTLET PARK Kurashiki is a shopping mall directly connected to Ario Kurashiki. It is a little way from JR Kurashiki Station, but it is recommended if you are also planning to shop.

There are two smoking areas on the first floor and one on the second floor, but one of the first-floor areas is attached to the outdoor parking lot. This means there are two smoking areas inside the mall.

Check the MITSUI OUTLET PARK Kurashiki website for the exact locations.

From the Writer

The area around JR Kurashiki Station is designated as a restricted street-smoking zone.
It is all too common for smokers to feel even more unwelcome because of the poor manners of a few people.

Let’s all do our best to follow the rules and show consideration for others.

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