Where are trash cans in Tokyo!?
Hello, travelers. This is Kumi. Picturesque Japan Blog shows you how to deal with your trash in Tokyo.
All the visitors to Japan say "Wow! Japan is clean!!!" Oh, yes. Japanese people are quite meticulous about cleaning. You'll see some devoted cleaners here and there.
Then, the visitors often ask me this question.
"Where are trash cans!?"
Umm... That's a good question. It's actually quite difficult to find trash cans in Tokyo (probably in other cities, too).
At stations? -- Umm... probably not. You may find some vending machines and some recycle bins for plastic bottles and cans, but not for other trash like a paper cups etc.
Some stations may have trash cans, but you can't always expect that.
On the streets? -- Umm... rarely. I happened to have found these on Omotesando street near Omotesando station, but we don't usually see trash cans on the streets.
You probably see recycling bins next to vending machines, but you shouldn't put your trash in them.
At parks or gardens? --- Maybe. Maybe not. I found some at Hamarikyu Gardens.
Japan used to have trash cans everywhere, but after the sarin gas attack in 1995, most of them were removed.
Then, how do people handle trash like used tissues, gum, or paper cups?
Well, let me tell you what I do. I always have small plastic bags just like someone who walks a dog. When I cannot find trash cans, I put my trash in the plastic bag. Then, do I carry it all the way home? Well, I usually have some chances to throw it away before going home. Here are the opportunities.
1) Convenience stores
All the visitors to Japan say "Wow! Japan is clean!!!" Oh, yes. Japanese people are quite meticulous about cleaning. You'll see some devoted cleaners here and there.
Then, the visitors often ask me this question.
"Where are trash cans!?"
Umm... That's a good question. It's actually quite difficult to find trash cans in Tokyo (probably in other cities, too).
At stations? -- Umm... probably not. You may find some vending machines and some recycle bins for plastic bottles and cans, but not for other trash like a paper cups etc.
Some stations may have trash cans, but you can't always expect that.
On the streets? -- Umm... rarely. I happened to have found these on Omotesando street near Omotesando station, but we don't usually see trash cans on the streets.
You probably see recycling bins next to vending machines, but you shouldn't put your trash in them.
At parks or gardens? --- Maybe. Maybe not. I found some at Hamarikyu Gardens.
Japan used to have trash cans everywhere, but after the sarin gas attack in 1995, most of them were removed.
Then, how do people handle trash like used tissues, gum, or paper cups?
Well, let me tell you what I do. I always have small plastic bags just like someone who walks a dog. When I cannot find trash cans, I put my trash in the plastic bag. Then, do I carry it all the way home? Well, I usually have some chances to throw it away before going home. Here are the opportunities.
1) Convenience stores
Quite a lot of convenience stores have trash cans, but they are basically for their own customers. So I buy something at the store and leave my trash. Fair enough? :P
Nowaways, a lot of convenience stores have their trash cans indoors. Or some don't have any. However, if you buy some food there and eat it at a nearby park, then you can go back to the store and ask them to take care of the trash.
2) Public toilets
If you have small trash like used tissues, you could throw them away at toilets (*Do NOT flush it). Toilets with paper towels (usually at department stores or restaurants) have trash cans. Also, lady's rooms have trash cans. However, it's not nice to squeeze your paper cups into such a small box, so please judge what's okay.
3) Supermarkets
Supermarkets may have some trash cans around the table where people organize purchased items and put them in their shopping bags. So you could throw away some small stuff. However, it's rude to just go in and use their trash can, so you could buy some stuff and leave your trash secretly elegantly. :P
4) Restaurants
Restaurants usually have paper napkins. That means you can leave your used tissues on the tray with their paper napkins. However, it's not nice to leave some other bulky trash. If you really need to get rid of your bulky trash, it would be nice to ask "Sumimasen, gomi iidesuka?" (Excuse me, trash okay?)
Anyway, this is what I do. Hope I'm doing right and this information helps.
Have a happy & clean stay in Tokyo!
*Please feel free to comment below with other experiences or information! Also, if you find any errors in content or grammar, please let me know.
Anyway, this is what I do. Hope I'm doing right and this information helps.
Have a happy & clean stay in Tokyo!
*Please feel free to comment below with other experiences or information! Also, if you find any errors in content or grammar, please let me know.
