Nagoya Dining

Depending on which side of the divide you fall, you probably thought that the Japanese government’s 2020 decision to ban smoking in many indoor spaces was either the best they ever made or a direct infringement on your civil rights. In the intervening years, positions have probably mellowed, as smokers have discovered that it is no real hardship to pop outside for a quick cig. Actually, it’s quite an excellent excuse to get away from that drunk at the table next to you who keeps asking you, “Where are you from?” ad nauseam, even though you have told him 20 times already. However, the same cannot be said for cigar aficionados, as ‘popping outside’ isn’t exactly part of the (excuse the pun) draw. Fortunately, there are a number of safe spaces for you guys who prefer a stogie to a cig, accompanied by like-minded folks, as there are a handful of excellent cigar stores around the city. Before we get into all that, however, I would like to preface this with the caveat that I am not a cigar smoker, and as such, unlike most of the articles I write for MTR, very little of the information is first-hand knowledge.…