If you have ever visited Japan, you might have noticed one surprising thing–there are so few trash cans in public spaces! Tourists often wonder, “How do the Japanese manage their garbage?” The answer lies in the long history and personality of the Japanese people. May 3rd is Gomi no Hi (Garbage day), which is the perfect time to understand Japan’s culture of waste disposal. In this blog, we will show how to manage garbage in this incredible country. Whether you are visiting for a short time, staying in an Airbnb, or moving to Japan, this guide will help you know the rules of waste disposal and let you enjoy your travels to the fullest.
People picking up trash – Photo Credit: polkadot_photo
A culture of litter picking
One of the reasons for the low amount of garbage in Japan is the act of litter picking. If someone notices waste in the road, they pick it up. The origin of this activity dates back to 1954. At that time, Tokyo was being reconstructed from the war, and the number of foreign visitors increased gradually. Therefore, the Tokyo government encourages residents to clean their living areas independently. With the strong sense of the Japanese people to follow manners, Tokyo has become a clean city. After that, this culture has spread to the country through generations.
How to separate garbage – Photo Credit: Ai Tanizawa
How to sort trash in Japan
In Japan, waste disposal is a bit complicated because each municipality has its own rules. For example, in the Kamikatsu town of Tokushima, you have to sort garbage into 13 types! If you are not sure about the local rules related to sorting trash, we suggest that you ask your neighbors or stop off at the local city office.
Generally speaking, waste is categorized into 4 types:
Burnable waste (Moeru gomi, 燃えるゴミ) – this includes food scraps, paper and certain plastics. Normally, it is collected on designated days.
Non-burnable waste (Moenai Gomi, 燃えないゴミ) – materials like ceramics, glass, and metal fall into this category. They are collected less frequently.
Recyclables (Shigen Gomi, 資源ごみ) – Japan takes recycling seriously. Glass bottles, PETs, aluminium cans, and paper need to be sorted in specific bins or bags.
Oversized garbage (Sodai Gomi, 粗大ごみ) – large items such as furniture and appliances should be picked up by the garbage collector. Usually, you have to place an oversized garbage pickup ticket in the waste.
Garbage bags – Photo Credit: rakuichi_rakuza_v3
How to handle your trash waste while travelling in Japan
If you come to Japan, you may wonder where to take your garbage because there are few trash cans compared to other countries. Therefore, we recommend carrying a small trash bag in your backpack to keep your trash throughout the day. You can buy a trash bag in convenience stores. Generally, there are waste disposal sites in hotels where you stay, so bring the garbage bag back there at the end of the day.
For PET bottles or cans, you can find trash bins near the vending machine, but make sure to empty them for recycling. Also, you have to separate your garbage after eating at fast-food chains. They put labels to separate plastic, paper and food waste, so follow these instructions. Other than hotels, you can take garbage to many places such as convenience stores, train stations, department stores and parks. However, if you bring garbage to the convenience store, remember to ask for permission if you can dispose of it there. Never littering anywhere!
Waste collection schedule – Photo Credit: Toshima City
Garbage disposal for long-term stay
When you stay in an Airbnb or rental apartment, it is important to follow a local schedule for collecting waste. Reading the schedule, you can get information about when and what kinds of garbage are brought to the garbage disposal area. It is posted in the apartment or given to guests directly. Also, some local governments upload information on the internet. Some cities have rules for using specific colored bags for different types of waste. You can purchase them at supermarkets and convenience stores. For instance, you may have to collect non-burnable waste with a yellow bag. Remember to be careful and separate your trash! If you do not sort your waste properly, it might not be collected.
Garbage collectors collecting rubbish in the morning at Nippori Station – Photo Credit: MAHATHIR MOHD YASIN
Understanding Gomi no hi (Garbage day)
Last but not least, we introduce you to the unique holiday, “Gomi no hi”. This holiday falls on May 3rd, this is because the 5 (go in Japanese) and 3 (mi in Japanese) make up the Japanese word for gomi, which is the Japanese word for garbage. On this day, many local communities organize cleaning events like litter picking to raise awareness about waste reduction. Nowadays, garbage problems are crucial in Japan. The plastic waste has increased every year, and many restaurants suffer from severe food waste. Therefore, Gomi no hi is a good opportunity to learn and think about these issues, whilst keeping your neighborhood clean.
Clean street in Japan – Photo Credit: Wei Wen Lai
In Japan, you will find very few garbage and trash cans in the streets. It may be surprising, since the country is known for being so clean, but there is a culture of litter-picking behind this. It is recommended to always bring a garbage bag with you in case you cannot find any trash cans. The rules of the waste disposal system often depend on the city. Therefore, get information on the Internet or ward office and follow the instructions. Also, when bringing a bin bag to the garbage area, make sure of the schedule! Whether you are staying a few days or staying in an Airbnb, maintain the cleanliness of the country and enjoy your stay. Follow these rules and everything we covered in today’s post, and you are sure to have a great stay in Japan, whilst making sure to keep the country clean and friendly.
Featured Photo Credit: Ton Ponchai
