Daily Life Lessons · Garbage
Be able to find out the collection day, time, and place for each type of garbage yourself, and put it out correctly on the morning of the set day.
Each type of garbage is collected on set days of the week, and the days differ by area.
In many municipalities, you put garbage out on the morning of the collection day, before a set time such as "by 8 a.m." or "by 9 a.m." This is because garbage put out the night before can be scattered by crows and other animals, and can lead to arson or illegal dumping. However, some areas, such as Fukuoka City, collect garbage at night and ask residents to put it out "between sunset and midnight."
Take your garbage to the garbage collection point (ごみ集積所, also called a garbage station: ごみステーション) designated for your area or building. If you do not know where it is, check with your landlord, management company, or municipality. Also check your garbage calendar (ごみカレンダー) or app for collection on national holidays and during the New Year period.
ごみを 出す 日は、ごみの しゅるい（種類）ごとに きまっています。
- 多くの 市や町では、あつめる 日の 朝に 出します。 - 「朝8時まで」など、出す 時間が きまっています。時間は 市や町で ちがいます。 - 朝に 出す 地域では、前の 日の 夜に 出しては いけません。カラスが ごみを ちらかすことが あります。 - 福岡市のように、夜に 出す 地域も あります。 - 出す 場所は「ごみ集積所（しゅうせきじょ）」です。
場所が わからないときは、大家（おおや）さんや 管理会社に 聞いてください。祝日（しゅくじつ）や 年末年始（ねんまつねんし）は、ごみカレンダーを 見てください。
In the many municipalities that collect in the morning, when should you basically put garbage out?
Many municipalities ask you to put garbage out on the morning of the collection day, by the set time.
In areas with morning collection, what problems can happen if you put garbage out the night before?
Garbage put out at night may be scattered by crows and other animals, and may invite arson or illegal dumping.
Which statement about the deadline for putting out garbage is correct?
It differs by municipality, such as "by 8 a.m." or "by 9 a.m.," and in some areas, such as Fukuoka City, you put garbage out at night.
Where do you put your garbage out?
Put it out at the designated collection point (garbage station). Do not throw household garbage into store or park trash cans.
What if you don't know whether garbage is collected on national holidays or during the New Year period?
Collection on holidays and during the New Year period differs by municipality. Check the calendar or app.
Q. I leave for work early in the morning, so I can only put garbage out at night. What should I do?
A. Many municipalities ask you to put garbage out on the morning of the collection day. Some apartment buildings have a garbage area where you can put garbage out 24 hours a day, so check with your landlord or management company. You may also be able to consult your municipality.
Q. What if I miss the time?
A. If you put garbage out after the collection truck has passed, it will stay there until the next collection day. Take it back home and put it out on the morning of the next collection day.
Q. How can I stop crows from scattering garbage?
A. Put garbage out on the morning of the collection day, and if the collection point has a net or a box, cover the bags completely so they do not stick out.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original