When watching videos made by foreigners who visit Japan, I often hear them say, “Japan is so clean! But there are no trash cans!”
You might think that only Japanese people know where to find trash cans, but that’s not the case. I realized this myself after traveling abroad: there are hardly any trash cans on the streets in Japan.
Despite the lack of trash cans, why are the streets so clean? It’s because Japanese people generally take their trash home with them and dispose of it there. For travelers, it’s best to take your trash back to your accommodation. Searching for a trash can is often futile since they are rarely found, so just give up on that.
However, there are some places where trash cans are installed. While it’s recommended to take your trash home, there are some locations where it’s acceptable to use public trash cans. Let me explain where you can find them and how to use them without worrying about manners.
Places with Trash Cans:
- Convenience Stores: Many convenience stores have trash cans inside. If the trash is from items purchased at that store, it’s okay to throw it away there. However, it’s not acceptable to dispose of trash from another store, even if it’s the same chain. For example, throwing away trash from a Shibuya Seven-Eleven at a Shinjuku Seven-Eleven is not allowed.
- Parks: Some parks have trash cans, while others do not. If you have a small amount of trash, such as candy wrappers or one or two plastic bottles, it’s not considered bad manners to use these bins. Disposing of large amounts of trash is considered impolite.
- Stations: Most stations don’t have trash cans, but a few do. If you bought something within the station, it’s okay to throw it away there. Like parks, small amounts of trash are generally acceptable.
- Vending Machines: There are often trash cans next to vending machines. It’s okay to throw away items bought from the adjacent vending machine. Throwing away items from other vending machines might be acceptable if it’s just one item. However, the general rule is to dispose of trash where it was purchased or in a station’s trash can.
There might be other places with trash cans, but the basic principle is to throw away trash from items bought or used on the spot. Disposing of large amounts of trash or trash generated at your accommodation is considered bad manners.
It might seem a bit inconvenient, but I hope you can keep this in mind.
I hope this helps! If you need any more assistance, feel free to ask.