Disposing Large Garbage in Japan: Furniture, Electronics & Sodai Gomi
Moving or decluttering in Japan? This guide explains how to dispose of bulky waste (sodai gomi), furniture, and electronics the right way. Learn city-by-city steps, fees, special rules for TVs/fridges/ACs, PC recycling, safe battery disposal, cheaper alternatives, and a moving-out timeline.
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What sodai gomi means in Japan
Across Japan, “sodai gomi” (oversized or bulky waste) usually refers to household items that are too large for regular trash—think furniture, bicycles, futons, and similar items. Many cities use a simple size rule of thumb: items around 30 cm or longer on any side count as bulky and require a special pickup and fee. For example, official guidance in Shibuya City lists futons, kerosene stoves, bicycles, and fixtures “with edges approximately 30 cm long or more,” and explains you must reserve a collection slot and purchase large-sized trash fee stickers before the pickup day.
Rules and fees are set by each municipality and can differ slightly (Tokyo wards, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto, etc.). As one official Osaka notice puts it, bulky waste is “household waste items with a maximum dimension or diameter of 30 cm or more” (or stick-shaped items over 1 m), and you must apply with the city, pay the notified fee, buy a disposal ticket, and set the item out on your scheduled day.
Tip for planning: Book your bulky-waste pickup at least 1–3 weeks before moving out, especially during March–April and August–September when moves peak. You can also compare the costs of selling or shipping large items via services you’ll meet below—and review our quick guides to Moving Companies in Japan, Expat Housing Guide, and Lease Renewal and Moving Out as you plan your timeline.
Quick decision table by item type
Use this table to choose the correct route fast. Always confirm details on your city’s site.
| Item | Usual route | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sofas, tables, bookshelves, futons | Sodai gomi (city pickup) or bring-in (where available) | Reserve a pickup, buy and attach fee sticker, set out by the deadline. Some cities (e.g., Kyoto) also let residents bring items by appointment. |
| TVs, ACs, refrigerators/freezers, washing machines/dryers | Not municipal bulky waste. Recycle under the Home Appliance Recycling Law | Retailers collect; manufacturers recycle. Consumers pay recycling + possible transport fees. In Tokyo 23 wards, there’s a centralized Electric Appliance Recycling Reception Center to arrange collection. |
| Desktop/laptop PCs, monitors | Manufacturer take-back under the PC Recycling program (PC3R) | Household PCs are not collected as bulky waste; arrange collection with the manufacturer or PC3R (often shipped via Japan Post). |
| Microwaves, vacuums, rice cookers, printers | City’s system for small e-waste or sodai gomi (varies) | Many are covered by the Small Home Appliance Recycling Law; municipalities provide collection boxes or accept as bulky waste depending on size. |
| Rechargeable batteries, button cells | Store/retailer drop-boxes (JBRC) | Do not put in household trash. Use electronics-store collection points. |
| Bicycles | Sodai gomi | If selling or giving away, cancel the theft-prevention registration per local guidance before transfer. |
| Gas cylinders, paint, chemicals, pianos, safes, kerosene, tires | Not collected by cities | Contact retailers or specialized firms. Many cities list these as excluded items. |
How Japan’s bulky-waste (sodai gomi) process works
Here’s the typical flow, based on official municipal instructions:
- Check your city page & identify the item
Each municipality publishes an English page or PDF with item lists, sizes, and fees. For instance, Shibuya City’s one-page guide shows item categories, the 30 cm rule, and the special rules for home appliances and PCs. - Make a reservation (online or by phone)
You must reserve a pickup date (and sometimes a time window). In Osaka City’s English guide, you apply by phone or online, receive your fee notice, and are told to purchase a disposal charge ticket before the pickup. Kyoto City offers both pickup and bring-in reservations in multiple languages. - Buy the city’s disposal sticker/ticket
Most cities require you to buy a sticker (often sold at convenience stores) that matches the fee quoted during your reservation. You then write your name and attach the sticker to the item. (Shibuya’s guide explicitly shows this step.) - Prepare the item
Empty and wipe down items, bundle cords, and tape parts/doors safely. If your building has elevator or hallway rules, inform the management office. Put the item in the designated spot by the set time (e.g., by 8:00 a.m. in Shibuya). - Set out & confirm pickup
Set items out on the appointed day with the sticker visible. Cities process bulky waste at specialized facilities (Tokyo pulverizes and sorts bulky waste, then recycles metals before incinerating or landfilling residues).
Related reading while you plan: Setting Up Utilities in Japan, Furnishing Your Japanese Apartment on a Budget, and Housing Deposits Explained.
Special rules for TVs, fridges, ACs, washers and dryers
These four categories are not collected through municipal bulky-waste programs. They fall under the Home Appliance Recycling Law. The system is straightforward:
- Retailers must take back appliances they sold (or when replacing with a new unit), and manufacturers must recycle.
- Consumers pay the recycling fee and, if applicable, a separate collection/transport fee.
- Designated collection routes and fees are set nationwide under METI/MOE oversight.
In Tokyo’s 23 wards, residents can also contact the Electric Appliance Recycling Reception Center to arrange pickup; Shibuya’s official guide prints the dedicated phone number and emphasizes that these items are not collected at regular waste sites.
What to do step-by-step
- Decide who collects: the original retailer, the store where you’re buying a replacement, or the official reception center (varies by city).
- Pay the fees: recycling fee + any pickup/transport charges quoted (fees depend on the appliance and manufacturer).
- Book removal: if an AC needs removal, ask a qualified installer or retailer (they can bundle removal/collection).
- Clear the appliance: empty fridges/freezers, detach hoses where instructed, and be present for pickup.
If you’re replacing appliances during a move, combine delivery of the new unit with collection of the old one to save time. See our Cost of Living in Japan 2025 guide to budget for recycling/installation services.
How to recycle PCs and computer displays
Household personal computers and monitors are covered by a nationwide manufacturer take-back scheme managed through the PC3R Promotion Association. Key points:
- PCs are not collected as non-burnable or bulky waste. Cities direct you to the manufacturer or to PC3R.
- Go to PC3R to find your maker’s portal and arrange collection. Many brands send a prepaid label and instruct you to ship via Japan Post/Yu-Pack.
- PCs with the PC Recycle Mark (on household models sold after the program started) are covered without a separate recycling fee; older units may incur fees. Check your maker’s page via PC3R.
Before handing over: back up data, secure-erase drives, and remove accessories you want to keep. For peripherals like printers or routers, check your city’s small-appliance rules under the next section.
Small electronics, lamps, and batteries
Japan promotes small e-waste recycling under the Act on Promotion of Recycling of Small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (the Small Home Appliance Recycling Law). Municipalities set up collection schemes and boxes for items like phones, cameras, small stereos, and some kitchen gadgets.
- Store drop-boxes for batteries: Rechargeable and button batteries must not go in household trash. Cities like Shibuya direct residents to electronics-store collection boxes; JBRC (the national battery program) explains that portable power banks are collected as a unit—do not disassemble them to remove cells.
- Microwaves & similar appliances: Not covered by the Home Appliance Recycling Law, so your city may accept them as bulky waste or under small-appliance campaigns depending on size. (Check your municipality’s list.)
- Fluorescent tubes: Many cities collect fluorescent tubes as recyclables if wrapped safely; LEDs and broken tubes typically go as non-burnable. Follow your city’s directions.
New to Japan and unsure about waste sorting? Download your city’s PDF guide or app and set weekly reminders. If you’re in Tokyo or Kyoto, multilingual pamphlets and campus pages summarize what goes where.
Furniture, mattresses, and bedding
Most furniture pieces, mattresses, and futons go through the sodai gomi route. The exact fee depends on the item and your city’s category table. Expect to:
- Reserve a date and buy a sticker matching the quoted fee.
- Prepare safely: Tape drawers, bundle bed slats, and consider wrapping mattresses to prevent soiling common areas. Put items out by the city’s deadline.
- Bring-in (optional): In some cities (e.g., Kyoto), you can book a bring-in slot at an incineration or bulky-waste facility—useful if you have a car and want a faster date.
Moving soon? Compare total costs: bulky-waste fees vs. selling and shipping with Yamato/Art/Sagawa large-item services, or donate/sell via reuse shops. See our deep dives on Furnishing on a Budget and Moving Companies in Japan. For delivering or rehoming large items, carriers like Yamato Transport and Art Moving offer dedicated furniture/appliance delivery services you can book online.
Bicycles and large sports gear
Bicycles are typically treated as bulky waste when you are discarding them. If you plan to sell or give away a bike instead, local guidance (e.g., Shinjuku City) asks owners to complete theft-prevention registration transfer/cancellation before handing it over, so the new owner can re-register.
For disposal via the city, remove personal locks and accessories, reserve a bulky-waste pickup, attach the sticker, and set it out as instructed.
Items cities do not collect (and what to do instead)
Municipal pages list categories that cannot go out with household or bulky waste. Common examples include:
- Home-appliance “designated items” (TVs, ACs, fridges/freezers, washers/dryers) → Use the official recycling route noted above.
- PCs → Use the manufacturer take-back program via PC3R.
- Gas cylinders, fire extinguishers, tires, paints/chemicals, medical sharps, pianos, safes → Contact retailers, specialized companies, or follow city referrals to licensed handlers. (Cities explicitly list these as not collected.)
Beware of illegal or unlicensed collectors
When time is tight, you may see flyers or online ads offering “free collection” of furniture or appliances. Cities caution residents not to use unlicensed collectors, who may charge excessive fees or dump illegally. Tokyo-area municipalities (e.g., Inagi City) link to MOE warnings and ask residents to use city channels or licensed operators. Japan’s Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law sets the framework and permit system for proper waste handling.
Cheaper, greener alternatives before you pay disposal fees
Before you book bulky-waste pickup, consider these options:
- Reuse shops (nationwide chains):
- 2nd STREET buys/sells clothes, furniture and home appliances at 850+ stores; many locations can quote purchases.
- HARD-OFF / OFF-HOUSE accepts a wide range of goods including electronics/furniture; some shops offer home visits for larger lots.
- Marketplaces and delivery help:
- Mercari (with RakuRaku/YuYu shipping) lets you sell from home with integrated, discounted shipping via Yamato Transport or Japan Post. For bulky items, combine with large-item delivery services (Yamato/Art).
- Donation networks & community groups:
- Local Facebook groups (“Sayonara Sale” type) and expat communities can be fast ways to rehome items; meet in safe, public locations and plan transport. (Community guides highlight these options for Tokyo leavers.)
If you’re furnishing a new place on a budget, browse our guides to Buying Furniture in Japan and Furnishing Your Japanese Apartment on a Budget. Shipping large purchases? See carriers’ big-parcel options and rate checkers before you commit.
Step-by-step: Book a sodai gomi pickup
- List and measure each item (H × W × D).
- Open your city’s bulky-waste page (English versions exist for many cities) and check categories and fees.
- Reserve: Apply online or by phone; note the collection date and your fee.
- Buy the disposal sticker/ticket at a convenience store or authorized seller. Write your name and attach it to the item.
- Prepare and set out: Follow the city’s instructions (e.g., out by 8:00 a.m., separate location from regular trash).
- Confirm pickup and keep receipts until everything’s gone.
If appointments are fully booked near your move-out date, check whether your city offers a bring-in reservation. Kyoto, for example, provides a multilingual booking line for bring-ins.
Moving-out timeline checklist
Use this printable list to stay on track—and pair it with our Lease Renewal and Moving Out guide.
4–5 weeks before
- Decide what to sell, donate, ship, or discard.
- For TV/AC/fridge/washer, pick your recycling route (retailer, replacement store, or reception center).
3–4 weeks before
- Reserve city sodai gomi pickup slots and note fees; order stickers.
- For PCs, initiate a PC3R pickup request; plan secure erase.
- List items on 2nd STREET/HARD-OFF or marketplace apps if selling.
2 weeks before
- Buy disposal stickers; gather tape, ties, and covers.
- Drop batteries at store collection boxes; set aside fluorescent tubes as your city instructs.
1 week before
- Confirm building rules (elevator bookings, hallway protection).
- Prepare “go out” items and label them clearly.
Moving week
- Set out bulky items on the exact day/time with stickers attached.
- Supervise appliance removal/recycling pickup.
Frequently asked questions
How much does bulky-waste pickup cost?
Fees vary by city and by item size/category; the city quotes the exact amount during your reservation. You then purchase the matching sticker/ticket and attach it to your item.
Can the city take my TV/fridge/AC/washer?
No. Those four are covered by the Home Appliance Recycling Law. Retailers collect and manufacturers recycle; you pay the recycling/transport fees. Arrange through a retailer or your area’s appliance recycling center (e.g., in Tokyo 23 wards).
What about my computer?
Household PCs/monitors go through the PC3R manufacturer take-back system, often shipped via Japan Post. They are not accepted as bulky waste.
Is it okay to use a “free pickup” flyer service?
Avoid unlicensed operators. Cities warn against illegal collectors who may overcharge or dump items. Use city channels or licensed services.
I’m in a hurry—any faster options?
If city slots are full, check for bring-in reservations (where offered, such as in Kyoto) or rehome items with reuse shops/marketplaces combined with large-item couriers.
Example table: Where common electronics belong
| Category | Examples | Correct route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designated home appliances | ACs, TVs, fridges/freezers, washers/dryers | Retailer take-back; manufacturer recycling (law) | Not municipal bulky waste; arrange collection and pay fees. |
| PCs & displays | Desktops, laptops, monitors | PC3R manufacturer program | Arrange via maker; ship per instructions; not bulky waste. |
| Small appliances | Microwaves, rice cookers, vacuums, printers | Small-appliance recycling or bulky waste | Covered by Small Home Appliance Recycling Law; check your city’s list/boxes. |
| Lamps & tubes | Fluorescent tubes | City recyclable stream (if offered) | Wrap to prevent breakage; LEDs typically non-burnable; follow city guide. |
| Batteries | Rechargeable packs, button cells | Store drop-boxes (JBRC) | Don’t disassemble power banks; never put in household trash. |
Example table: Booking bulky-waste pickup (what you’ll do)
| Step | What you do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identify | Measure each item; find it on your city’s list | Size determines “bulky” status and fee class. |
| Reserve | Apply online/phone; get the fee and date | Many cities won’t collect without a reservation. |
| Purchase | Buy the correct sticker/ticket | Proof of payment; write your name on it. |
| Prepare | Tape/secure items; follow set-out time/place | Cities specify exact deadlines and locations. |
| Pickup | Put out on the scheduled day | Bulky waste is processed separately (pulverized/sorted; metals recovered). |
Final tips for an easy, eco-friendly clear-out
- Start early: Slots fill quickly during peak moving seasons. Use alternatives (bring-in, reuse shops, couriers) if needed.
- Protect common areas: Ask management about coverings/elevator bookings.
- Go legit: Stick to city programs or licensed firms; avoid “free pickup” flyers.
- Recycle smart: Handle TVs/ACs/fridges/washers via the Home Appliance Recycling Law, and ship PCs through PC3R. Batteries go to store drop-boxes.
- Save money by rehoming: Try reuse shops, marketplaces, or shipping services for large items before paying disposal fees.
When you pair your local city’s instructions with the routes in this guide, disposing of large garbage in Japan becomes predictable, affordable, and kinder to the planet. And if you’re about to move, bookmark our companion guides on Moving Companies in Japan, Expat Housing Guide, Setting Up Utilities in Japan, and Furnishing Your Japanese Apartment on a Budget.
