Where Should You Throw Away Trash While Traveling in Japan?: What to Do When You Can’t Find a Trash Can

While traveling in Japan, you may find yourself with an empty plastic bottle or a snack wrapper and suddenly realize:

“There’s no trash can…”

In Japan, you won’t find public trash cans everywhere.

You may find them at train stations, convenience stores, department stores, shopping malls, tourist attractions, and other places, but sometimes there simply isn’t one nearby.

If that happens, don’t leave your trash somewhere or throw it away in the wrong place.

Keep it with you until you find somewhere appropriate to dispose of it.

Carrying a small trash bag in your day bag can be very useful.

Where Can You Throw Away Trash While Traveling in Japan?

If you have trash while you’re out, these are some of the first places to look:

However, you won’t necessarily find a trash can at all of these places.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) also notes that public trash cans are limited in Japan and advises travelers to carry their trash with them until they find somewhere appropriate to dispose of it.

That’s why it helps to carry a small bag for things like tissues, snack wrappers, and small food containers.

Can You Use Trash Cans at Convenience Stores?

Some convenience stores in Japan provide trash cans.

However, not every store has one.

And even if you don’t see a trash can outside, there may be one inside the store.

So:

“No trash can outside = no trash can at this convenience store”

is not always true.

If there is a trash can inside, follow the sorting labels shown on the bin.

The Bin Next to a Vending Machine Is Not a Regular Trash Can

In Japan, you will sometimes see a bin next to a vending machine.

It may look like a regular trash can at first, but:

The bin next to a vending machine is a recycling bin for empty beverage containers.

According to the Japan Soft Drink Association, you can put the following items in it:

Do not put containers in the bin if there is still a drink left inside.

It is also not a place for:

Just remember:

Vending machine recycling bins are for empty beverage containers.

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What Should You Do with Trash from Street Food or Takeout?

While sightseeing in Japan, you may buy food or drinks to go.

Then comes the next question:

“Where do I throw away the container when I’m finished?”

At some tourist areas, the store where you bought the food will collect the trash.

For example, Tsukiji Outer Market asks visitors to eat purchased food in designated eating areas and dispose of the trash at the store where they bought it.

In Arashiyama, Kyoto, there are also efforts encouraging visitors to return trash from takeout food to the store where they purchased it.

However, this is not a nationwide rule that applies to every store in Japan.

So when you buy takeout food,

check whether the store or the surrounding area has a place to return or dispose of the container.

If there is a collection point, use it.

If not, keep the trash with you until you find somewhere appropriate to dispose of it.

Follow the Sorting Labels on the Trash Can

Trash-sorting rules vary by area and facility in Japan.

But as a traveler, you do not need to learn all of the detailed household trash-sorting rules.

When you use a trash can, simply follow the labels on that particular bin.

Common labels include:

If there are separate openings, check the labels and put your trash in the correct one.

If You Can’t Find a Trash Can, Take It Back to Your Accommodation

Even after checking train stations, convenience stores, shopping malls, and other places, you may still not find a trash can.

In that case, just take your trash back to your accommodation.

You can dispose of it in a guest-room trash can or another place provided by your accommodation.

Trash in Japan: What to Remember

Here are the main things to remember while traveling: