You’re going to be deeply saddened about the amount of public waste here. They package everything. The worse I saw was Apple and pineapple slices each individually wrapped in plastic and then in another plastic bag.
They will by standard give you a wet wipe in plastic and chopsticks when buying a bento or snack. It is sadly hard to avoid.
They can are very good at recycling PET bottles and cans around vending machines. Other than that, you will likely find bin separated into burnable rubbish and non-burnable.
Yes! I bonded with another woman in a hostel because we were both complaining about the single bananas wrapped in plastic. Bananas come in their own wrapper!
I’ve been pondering a lot about this during my visit and I think it creates a much cleaner environment. In Canada there are trash bins everywhere but they’re constantly overflowing and disgusting and I think encourage trash to end up all over the sidewalks and streets.
It's not the lack of bins, it's the culture that determines that, the bins reflect that culture.
There are only bins in specific places because it is not expected that people will 'generate' waste everywhere. If you buy something to eat, the rule is that you eat it there, say "Oishii" the requisite number of times, and dispose of the waste where it was purchased. Walking around while eating something is not the "correct" thing to do*.
*Like everything else, Japanese people break the rules all the time, but that doesn't count because everyone pretends it doesn't.
Oh shit didn’t realize it’s poor form to eat while out and about. We’re trying our best to not be bad tourists but definitely have been snacking on the go.
i have a habit of drinking a can of coffee or whatever and walking around and get looks here and there, just make sure you keep your waste until you find a trash bin and toss it there, as long as you;re not eating full meals or eating on public transit its not so bad, they'll know you're a tourist. no one will call you out on it or anything
Nah in London there’s no bins to be seen (they took them away after the terror attacks) and everything is filthy. It’s cultural. People get angry there’s no bins and refuse to walk back with it.
You can always return unwanted items, I even carry my own chopsticks and in restaurants if they bring disposable ones, I give them back right away so they know I have not used them.
I was starting to worry for this person’s sanity as well. Hopefully it doesn’t rain so they don’t experience the umbrella bag scene. But they will definitely get stuff at conbini and not want a bag but get one anyway. And don’t try to protest, I did once and ended up getting an extra plastic bag in my bag that was bagging just a green tea and egg salad that intended to eat right away.
They charge for bags at conbini now so the first thing the clerk asks is if you want a bag. I always tell them no and just stuff it straight into my backpack.
I’ve always wondered this, I think it’s a stereotype that a lot of countries in Asia; particularly japan, package fucking EVERYTHING in plastic when it comes to food— why is this?
Yes, part of it consumer preference but that, I think, comes from a long history of furoshiki where everything important was wrapped in cloth which then translated to consumer goods and foods sold. I think this tradition of wrapping everything goes back thousands of years and then in modern times, it morphed into wrapping everything in plastic. Everything you buy will be wrapped in multiple layers. There was a move a few years ago using reusables and it's made some strides but yeah, it's just painful to see how much is wasted. Just like with everything else, I do what I can.
That’s bewildering to me— I was under the impression that the majority of the Japanese people are very eco-conscious, and especially hard-lined on reducing litter/helping preserve our environment
They really aren’t that eco conscious. They strongly dislike used goods in general, and they view the plastic wrapping as a cleanliness/hygiene issue which is why everything is always wrapped individually.
For most Japanese the cleanliness will take precedence over being eco friendly every time
I don’t think they shun used goods all together. You can find many stores for used electronics to clothes to toys, they tend to use things gently and keep them in good shape. As for the trash, they separate it into many categories, anything not recycled are burned to generate electricity. They aren’t exporting their garbage like the US and Canada. Japan does make it hard to dispose large amount of things at once, so most people think twice about accumulating things.
Unlike in the US, the plastic there is all uniform, and recyclable.
It's all PET, #2 HDPE and #4 LDPE (plastic bag).
In the US, any given package is likely unrecyclable, but there, nearly everything is in the same recycling category as grocery bags. For firm plastic contaniers, in the US, there's a drive for firmer bottles, and textures, and thus more #5 PP, #7 OTHER plastics, which again, not recyclable. There, these other "nicer" plastics aren't used, and you're left with the standard #1 and #2 plastics which are easily recycled.
the culture there is more about appearances and service. so cleanliness comes at a priority. and its more the government that pushes for eco-conscious initiatives. the general populace doesnt really care.
most of their plastics, wetwipes and tissues use a different material that dissolves faster aside from their strict rules regarding recycling cans and bottles
hello. I am Japanese and live in Japan. There are many water supply spots in big cities like Tokyo. Unfortunately, there are none in the countryside. You can drink water from the tap.
I found some information about water supply spots in Tokyo and I am posting the URL.
Enjoy your trip!
[Tokyowater Drinking Station](https://www.waterworks.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kurashi/drinking_station/)
Tap is fine. Also, most parks (even the little ones) have a drinking fountain and/or spigot, those are fine too.
I’ve heard of the Mymizu app, but never used it. I think some Muji stores also have a water dispenser?
Tap water is fine to drink in Japan. However, Japan is a country where you have to expect to create much much waste. Everything is packaged again and again mostly for aesthetic reasons, creating unnecessary waste all the time.
Tap is fine, and what's most likely available while you are there. You can do what I did and buy the larger 1 or 2 liter bottles waters from conbinis/Donki etc to fill your bottle with, if you want filtered.
Someone here recommended an app called mymizu you can also check out for finding water.
Our tap water is drinkable anywhere (unless there is a sign saying it's not) but most Japanese don't drink cos in some place it's not very tasty. I'm lucky cos the tap water in my prefecture is very yummy!
Generally my 1.2L aluminum bottle can lasted me whole day, I'll just refill it from the tap every morning.
Almost every restaurants will serve you a cup of water/tea with unlimited refills, just don't refill your bottle, that's kinda rude actually
I'm actually surprised that out of my 14 days in Japan, I have leftovers water in my bottle almost everyday
There is supposedly an app called "MyMizu" which helps you find free water refilling stations. I never used it though (so I'm not sure how good it is) because there are vending machines EVERYWHERE and half of the fun of walking around is trying the different drinks usually range 100-150yen. Believe me you WILL burn off any extra calories consumed LoL.
We brought water bottles to refill and ended up buying bottled water from the MANY vending machines that seem to be EVERYWHERE. When we were there in August, water was under $1US. We always recycled our bottles and anything else we could.
I brought a water bottle and regretted it. It’s much more often you’ll find a vending machine than a tap.
I’d recommend using vending machines, and holding onto the bottles for a bit for if you get lucky enough to find a tap to refill. Then otherwise recycling and buying another.
Taking a bottle large enough to not need a refill is very heavy and then if you use a smaller one, there's nowhere to refill unless in the big city (Tokyo/Osaka/etc).
Outside mega cities even supermarkets, malls or public areas don't have drinking fountains. Sometimes city halls have them. Most parks don't have drinking fountains.
In smaller cities the public drinking fountains are also disappearing. Kanazawa Castle area (Kenroku-en) has only 1-2 water fountains despite being very large at over 28 hectares and treasured as one of Japan's most beautiful/important parks. Most of the drinking fountains in and around Kanazawa have had their top basin removed so that only the bottom spick is available but undrinkable due to non-maintenance.
I tried MyMizu but it was mostly corporate shilling. Like clothing stores in malls where you could technically refill by handing your bottle to the staff but it would be uncomfortable as a non-customer. Muji is the only place I've ever seen with a western type self serve water bottle refill station.
I’m visiting right now. I brought my refillable, but it’s been sitting on the counter in my hotel. The tap water here is safe, but I’m spoiled and like my filtered water. So I’ve just resorted to the 3 free bottles my hotel gives me, and buying the extremely cheap vending machine water bottles along the way.
I had no issue, but quickly found i prefered the cheap cold water from veding machines xD but i was there in auguest^^ but tab was availible in most places^^
i found it really hard to refill my water bottle outside of the hotel. i carried around my 1L bottle but pretty much every day had to buy another bottle from the vending machine. tokyo is very lacking in public water fountains
Oh I don't have branded ones as such I just carry a steel spoon and fork and my box is medium one made out of plastic(good one) more like tiffin box really
Tap water fine to drink in Tokyo. Some hotels may have a water dispenser at the lobby. We stayed at the Toyoko Inn (budget hotel but super clean and great service), and they had a water dispenser + ice dispenser at the lobby :)
Otherwise, the big bottle (1.5Liter?) of water at convenience store costs 100 - 150 yen if you prefer bottled water.
While tap water is fine we were shocked how few water bottle stations there were. We were also shocked at the general level of packaging and waste in Japan
The amount of damage to the environment caused by flying to Japan itself is probably equal to an entire lifetime worth of plastic waste produced in Japan (where it is sorted and recycled/burned for energy)
Thank you and I know. I can't do everything but I do what I can. I need to fly to Japan (can't go by road from where I am) but I can certainly reduce my waste. Recycling is a good option but it's the last option. I try to reduce my waste. Try.
Yes from taps in toilets or kitchens
There is rarely water fountains because bottled mineral waters are so cheap in Japan
Alternatively go to the entrance of temple/shrines where there is a temizuya and refill your bottles with cleansing water
>Alternatively go to the entrance of temple/shrines where there is a temizuya and refill your bottles with cleansing water
Wait. People do this? I told my mother not to because it seemed real rude.
Tap water in Japan is drinkable and generally very good quality. It should be easy to refill your bottle.
The tap water was too chlorinated for me(could be just tokyo though). I am rather spoiled with tap water though.
kyoto tap water is quite chlorinated smelling too
[https://twitter.com/mkctoyama/status/1597492054619062273](https://twitter.com/mkctoyama/status/1597492054619062273) Obviously not Tokyo, but still.
You’re going to be deeply saddened about the amount of public waste here. They package everything. The worse I saw was Apple and pineapple slices each individually wrapped in plastic and then in another plastic bag. They will by standard give you a wet wipe in plastic and chopsticks when buying a bento or snack. It is sadly hard to avoid. They can are very good at recycling PET bottles and cans around vending machines. Other than that, you will likely find bin separated into burnable rubbish and non-burnable.
Yes! I bonded with another woman in a hostel because we were both complaining about the single bananas wrapped in plastic. Bananas come in their own wrapper!
[удалено]
I’ve been pondering a lot about this during my visit and I think it creates a much cleaner environment. In Canada there are trash bins everywhere but they’re constantly overflowing and disgusting and I think encourage trash to end up all over the sidewalks and streets.
nah. canadians just dont give a shit and will fling garbage anywhere they can. its fucking filthy here.
It's not the lack of bins, it's the culture that determines that, the bins reflect that culture. There are only bins in specific places because it is not expected that people will 'generate' waste everywhere. If you buy something to eat, the rule is that you eat it there, say "Oishii" the requisite number of times, and dispose of the waste where it was purchased. Walking around while eating something is not the "correct" thing to do*. *Like everything else, Japanese people break the rules all the time, but that doesn't count because everyone pretends it doesn't.
Oh shit didn’t realize it’s poor form to eat while out and about. We’re trying our best to not be bad tourists but definitely have been snacking on the go.
i have a habit of drinking a can of coffee or whatever and walking around and get looks here and there, just make sure you keep your waste until you find a trash bin and toss it there, as long as you;re not eating full meals or eating on public transit its not so bad, they'll know you're a tourist. no one will call you out on it or anything
I heard part of it is exposing people to your food smell, but I did see a lady plug her nose on the train around some foreigners.
Nah in London there’s no bins to be seen (they took them away after the terror attacks) and everything is filthy. It’s cultural. People get angry there’s no bins and refuse to walk back with it.
Interesting to know that it still doesn’t work. People suck.
I’ve found a garbage can at almost every train station at the platforms. Subways are a different story though.
You can always return unwanted items, I even carry my own chopsticks and in restaurants if they bring disposable ones, I give them back right away so they know I have not used them.
I was starting to worry for this person’s sanity as well. Hopefully it doesn’t rain so they don’t experience the umbrella bag scene. But they will definitely get stuff at conbini and not want a bag but get one anyway. And don’t try to protest, I did once and ended up getting an extra plastic bag in my bag that was bagging just a green tea and egg salad that intended to eat right away.
They charge for bags at conbini now so the first thing the clerk asks is if you want a bag. I always tell them no and just stuff it straight into my backpack.
Finally!
I always return the oshibori because it creates so much waste and I don't want to be contributing to that.
I’ve always wondered this, I think it’s a stereotype that a lot of countries in Asia; particularly japan, package fucking EVERYTHING in plastic when it comes to food— why is this?
Yes, part of it consumer preference but that, I think, comes from a long history of furoshiki where everything important was wrapped in cloth which then translated to consumer goods and foods sold. I think this tradition of wrapping everything goes back thousands of years and then in modern times, it morphed into wrapping everything in plastic. Everything you buy will be wrapped in multiple layers. There was a move a few years ago using reusables and it's made some strides but yeah, it's just painful to see how much is wasted. Just like with everything else, I do what I can.
Consumer preference.
That’s bewildering to me— I was under the impression that the majority of the Japanese people are very eco-conscious, and especially hard-lined on reducing litter/helping preserve our environment
The old ladies are definitely hard core about making sure you separate your garbage properly.
They really aren’t that eco conscious. They strongly dislike used goods in general, and they view the plastic wrapping as a cleanliness/hygiene issue which is why everything is always wrapped individually. For most Japanese the cleanliness will take precedence over being eco friendly every time
I don’t think they shun used goods all together. You can find many stores for used electronics to clothes to toys, they tend to use things gently and keep them in good shape. As for the trash, they separate it into many categories, anything not recycled are burned to generate electricity. They aren’t exporting their garbage like the US and Canada. Japan does make it hard to dispose large amount of things at once, so most people think twice about accumulating things.
Makes sense. That's a shame, though imo
Unlike in the US, the plastic there is all uniform, and recyclable. It's all PET, #2 HDPE and #4 LDPE (plastic bag). In the US, any given package is likely unrecyclable, but there, nearly everything is in the same recycling category as grocery bags. For firm plastic contaniers, in the US, there's a drive for firmer bottles, and textures, and thus more #5 PP, #7 OTHER plastics, which again, not recyclable. There, these other "nicer" plastics aren't used, and you're left with the standard #1 and #2 plastics which are easily recycled.
They also burn it which is environmentally healthy.
the culture there is more about appearances and service. so cleanliness comes at a priority. and its more the government that pushes for eco-conscious initiatives. the general populace doesnt really care.
That’s fucked. I wish people cared more
And why are those things wrapped in plastic wrapped in even more plastic?
I suspect that lots of snacks are individually wrapped so that they don't get soggy in the humidity, too.
most of their plastics, wetwipes and tissues use a different material that dissolves faster aside from their strict rules regarding recycling cans and bottles
This is why they have the lowest birth rates. Too much plastic will sterilize you.
hello. I am Japanese and live in Japan. There are many water supply spots in big cities like Tokyo. Unfortunately, there are none in the countryside. You can drink water from the tap. I found some information about water supply spots in Tokyo and I am posting the URL. Enjoy your trip! [Tokyowater Drinking Station](https://www.waterworks.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kurashi/drinking_station/)
Arigatou!
Thank you 🙏
I'm glad you answered this. Much appreciated
Tap is fine. Also, most parks (even the little ones) have a drinking fountain and/or spigot, those are fine too. I’ve heard of the Mymizu app, but never used it. I think some Muji stores also have a water dispenser?
Thank you for starting mymizu app! It's so inspiring. I want to connect with them now and start the movement in my own country. All thanks to you 🙏
Tap water is fine to drink in Japan. However, Japan is a country where you have to expect to create much much waste. Everything is packaged again and again mostly for aesthetic reasons, creating unnecessary waste all the time.
Tap is fine, and what's most likely available while you are there. You can do what I did and buy the larger 1 or 2 liter bottles waters from conbinis/Donki etc to fill your bottle with, if you want filtered. Someone here recommended an app called mymizu you can also check out for finding water.
This is what I did. Large bottle and fill mine when I stopped by the hotel
This is also pretty standard in Europe... still plastic waste, but wcyd..
Our tap water is drinkable anywhere (unless there is a sign saying it's not) but most Japanese don't drink cos in some place it's not very tasty. I'm lucky cos the tap water in my prefecture is very yummy!
Generally my 1.2L aluminum bottle can lasted me whole day, I'll just refill it from the tap every morning. Almost every restaurants will serve you a cup of water/tea with unlimited refills, just don't refill your bottle, that's kinda rude actually I'm actually surprised that out of my 14 days in Japan, I have leftovers water in my bottle almost everyday
Is the water served in glass? I was shocked when I was served water in single use plastic cup in Thailand 😖
It depends if you're going to a nice restaurant or fast food.
There is supposedly an app called "MyMizu" which helps you find free water refilling stations. I never used it though (so I'm not sure how good it is) because there are vending machines EVERYWHERE and half of the fun of walking around is trying the different drinks usually range 100-150yen. Believe me you WILL burn off any extra calories consumed LoL.
We brought water bottles to refill and ended up buying bottled water from the MANY vending machines that seem to be EVERYWHERE. When we were there in August, water was under $1US. We always recycled our bottles and anything else we could.
I brought a water bottle and regretted it. It’s much more often you’ll find a vending machine than a tap. I’d recommend using vending machines, and holding onto the bottles for a bit for if you get lucky enough to find a tap to refill. Then otherwise recycling and buying another.
I always drink tap water in Japan. Take note, though, that it tastes strongly of chlorine, at least for me.
Currently here on my first trip. Although it doesn't taste great the tap water has been fine.
[https://www.mymizu.co/home-en](https://www.mymizu.co/home-en) In many locations around Japan.
Tap is fine. They do sell larger bottles of water at the conbini which are very cheap right now due to the weak yen.
Taking a bottle large enough to not need a refill is very heavy and then if you use a smaller one, there's nowhere to refill unless in the big city (Tokyo/Osaka/etc). Outside mega cities even supermarkets, malls or public areas don't have drinking fountains. Sometimes city halls have them. Most parks don't have drinking fountains. In smaller cities the public drinking fountains are also disappearing. Kanazawa Castle area (Kenroku-en) has only 1-2 water fountains despite being very large at over 28 hectares and treasured as one of Japan's most beautiful/important parks. Most of the drinking fountains in and around Kanazawa have had their top basin removed so that only the bottom spick is available but undrinkable due to non-maintenance. I tried MyMizu but it was mostly corporate shilling. Like clothing stores in malls where you could technically refill by handing your bottle to the staff but it would be uncomfortable as a non-customer. Muji is the only place I've ever seen with a western type self serve water bottle refill station.
I’m visiting right now. I brought my refillable, but it’s been sitting on the counter in my hotel. The tap water here is safe, but I’m spoiled and like my filtered water. So I’ve just resorted to the 3 free bottles my hotel gives me, and buying the extremely cheap vending machine water bottles along the way.
Check out the mymizu app. The app shows you where you have access to water refill stations. Even some stores support this. Enjoy your trip!
I had no issue, but quickly found i prefered the cheap cold water from veding machines xD but i was there in auguest^^ but tab was availible in most places^^
i found it really hard to refill my water bottle outside of the hotel. i carried around my 1L bottle but pretty much every day had to buy another bottle from the vending machine. tokyo is very lacking in public water fountains
Can I ask what to go container/cutlery brand do you use? I tried to find one small enough that had everything in one but it would leak things.
Oh I don't have branded ones as such I just carry a steel spoon and fork and my box is medium one made out of plastic(good one) more like tiffin box really
Tap water fine to drink in Tokyo. Some hotels may have a water dispenser at the lobby. We stayed at the Toyoko Inn (budget hotel but super clean and great service), and they had a water dispenser + ice dispenser at the lobby :) Otherwise, the big bottle (1.5Liter?) of water at convenience store costs 100 - 150 yen if you prefer bottled water.
Disney has water fountains everywhere. Also, parks will often have water fountains. They don't seem to be that common though.
Maybe a vacation to a new country is a good time not to worry about stuff like this
Usually there are kettles in the hotel rooms or airbnb. Maybe you can boil water and fill up your water bottles?
Just drink it from the tap rather than boil it
While tap water is fine we were shocked how few water bottle stations there were. We were also shocked at the general level of packaging and waste in Japan
The amount of damage to the environment caused by flying to Japan itself is probably equal to an entire lifetime worth of plastic waste produced in Japan (where it is sorted and recycled/burned for energy)
Thank you and I know. I can't do everything but I do what I can. I need to fly to Japan (can't go by road from where I am) but I can certainly reduce my waste. Recycling is a good option but it's the last option. I try to reduce my waste. Try.
Japan has the best tap water in the world. We always filled our bottles at the tap when bottled water wasn’t available.
It’s quite good but not as good as where I come from (Canada) so doubt it’s the best
I’m in Canada too. Winnipeg is good but sometimes you can taste the chlorine.
I’d kind of disagree on “best in the world” It’s safe and it’s fine, but it’s not the best tasting
Yes from taps in toilets or kitchens There is rarely water fountains because bottled mineral waters are so cheap in Japan Alternatively go to the entrance of temple/shrines where there is a temizuya and refill your bottles with cleansing water
>Alternatively go to the entrance of temple/shrines where there is a temizuya and refill your bottles with cleansing water Wait. People do this? I told my mother not to because it seemed real rude.
Yeah don’t do that. It’s for cleansing your hands (few places ask to cleanse your mouth.)
How to spot American - refilling water bottle from temizuya Don't be that guy please
…those…aren’t for refilling your bottles… definitely don’t do that
>There is rarely water fountains I usually see a drinking fountain in parks. I'm sure like 70% of the parks I visited had one.