Tobacco Cafe an oasis for smokers

Salaried workers feeling cornered by the ever-expanding ban on smoking in Tokyo can rest easy at a recently opened cafe in the Shinbashi district that caters exclusively to smokers.

Stogies OK?: Cafe Tobacco opened in April in Tokyo's Shinbashi district. KYODO PHOTO

At Cafe Tobacco, smoking is allowed on all three floors, according to its operator, Towa Food Service Co.

The cafe, with 44 places, opened near JR Shinbashi Station in April. Towa Food Service has also opened a second Tobacco Cafe in the nearby Yurakucho business district.

A sign posted at the entrance advises people with children and those under 20 to refrain from using the cafe.

The smoke, meanwhile, is not visible inside the building as smoke neutralizers are installed on each floor. "Smokers also hate smoke from other smokers," said a Towa Food Service official.

The cafe also offers original blend coffee with a bitter taste, which is believed to go well with cigarettes.