Check your exact block
Tokyo pickup days can vary by chome, street side, apartment building, and holiday calendar. Treat ward-wide examples as a starting point, then confirm the address-level calendar before putting bags out.
東京都 · Tokyo, Japan · 2026
Tokyo Garbage Collection
Schedule — All 23 Wards
Pickup days, sorting rules, ward office contacts, and unique local facts for every one of Tokyo's 23 special wards (特別区). Schedule days vary significantly by neighbourhood — use GomiMate to get your exact address-level calendar.
Quick Answer Tokyo's 23 wards each set their own garbage schedule. Burnable waste (燃えるごみ) is collected twice per week in all wards; non-burnable 1–2× per month; recyclables weekly. The exact days depend on your specific neighbourhood (丁目) — they can differ street by street. Enter your address in GomiMate to get your personal pickup calendar with night-before and morning reminders.
How to Use This Tokyo Guide Without Making a Collection Mistake
This page is written as resident guidance, not just a directory of ward links. GomiMate starts from official local source pages, then adds practical context for the places where new residents most often make mistakes: chome-level pickup days, apartment collection stations, holiday shifts, and bulky-waste reservations.
Use the Japanese label
The guide keeps Japanese category names such as 燃えるごみ, 不燃ごみ, 資源ごみ, 粗大ごみ, and 有害ごみ so you can match posted station signs and rejection stickers.
Book bulky waste early
Furniture, bicycles, futons, and many appliances cannot be left at the regular station. Book through the ward portal, buy the correct sticker, and expect March-April moving season slots to fill quickly.
9.6M
Total ward residents
23
Wards (特別区)
53,190+
Collection stations
214 kg
Waste/capita/yr
5
Waste categories
2
Languages
Why Every Tokyo Ward Has a Different Schedule
Under Japan's Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act (廃棄物の処理及び清掃に関する法律, 1970), each of Tokyo's 23 wards independently manages its own garbage collection. This means:
- ✓Collection days (曜日) differ by ward and by neighbourhood (丁目) within each ward
- ✓What counts as "recyclable" (資源ごみ) varies — some wards separate glass and cans on different days; others combine them
- ✓Non-burnable (不燃ごみ) frequency ranges from once to twice monthly depending on the ward
- ✓Bulky waste (粗大ごみ) always requires advance booking — rules and phone numbers differ per ward
- ✓Moving one street across a ward boundary can change your entire weekly schedule
Browse All 23 Tokyo Wards
Chiyoda Ward
千代田区
67,000
residents
Imperial Palace, Akihabara, government ministries
11.66 km² 5,747/km² 248 kg/yr
Chuo Ward
中央区
175,000
residents
Ginza, Tsukiji, Nihonbashi, Toyosu
10.21 km² 17,140/km² 219 kg/yr
Minato Ward
港区
262,000
residents
Roppongi, Azabu, Shimbashi, embassies, Odaiba waterfront
20.37 km² 12,863/km² 231 kg/yr
Shinjuku Ward
新宿区
346,000
residents
Kabukicho, Shinjuku Station, Golden Gai, Okubo Koreatown
18.22 km² 18,991/km² 263 kg/yr
Bunkyo Ward
文京区
232,000
residents
Tokyo University, Koishikawa Botanical Garden, Hakusan
11.29 km² 20,549/km² 204 kg/yr
Taito Ward
台東区
206,000
residents
Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple, Ueno Park & Zoo, Akihabara border
10.11 km² 20,376/km² 237 kg/yr
Sumida Ward
墨田区
272,000
residents
Tokyo Skytree, Ryogoku (Sumo), shitamachi crafts
13.77 km² 19,752/km² 222 kg/yr
Koto Ward
江東区
525,000
residents
Odaiba, Ariake (Olympics), Kameido, Monzen-nakacho
40.16 km² 13,072/km² 196 kg/yr
Shinagawa Ward
品川区
405,000
residents
Shinagawa Station (Shinkansen), Gotanda, Oimachi, Sony HQ
22.72 km² 17,826/km² 214 kg/yr
Meguro Ward
目黒区
286,000
residents
Nakameguro canal, Daikanyama, Jiyugaoka, upscale residential
14.67 km² 19,496/km² 188 kg/yr
Ota Ward
大田区
733,000
residents
Haneda Airport, Kamata, Ikegami Honmonji Temple
61.86 km² 11,847/km² 201 kg/yr
Setagaya Ward
世田谷区
940,000
residents
Shimokitazawa, Sangenjaya, Futako-Tamagawa, Jiyugaoka
58.08 km² 16,185/km² 193 kg/yr
Shibuya Ward
渋谷区
241,000
residents
Shibuya Scramble, Harajuku, Omotesando, Daikanyama
15.11 km² 15,950/km² 245 kg/yr
Nakano Ward
中野区
334,000
residents
Nakano Broadway (otaku culture), Nakano Sun Plaza
15.59 km² 21,424/km² 207 kg/yr
Suginami Ward
杉並区
582,000
residents
Koenji (indie music), Asagaya, Nishi-Ogikubo antiques, Ogikubo furniture
34.06 km² 17,087/km² 186 kg/yr
Toshima Ward
豊島区
296,000
residents
Ikebukuro (2nd-busiest station in Tokyo), Sugamo (grandma's Harajuku), anime/manga
13.01 km² 22,752/km² 255 kg/yr
Kita Ward
北区
357,000
residents
Akabane (lively local culture), Oji Paper Museum, Toden Arakawa streetcar
20.61 km² 17,322/km² 211 kg/yr
Arakawa Ward
荒川区
221,000
residents
Nippori fabric district, Toden Arakawa Line, shitamachi community spirit
10.2 km² 21,667/km² 216 kg/yr
Itabashi Ward
板橋区
571,000
residents
Tokiwadai (pleasant residential), Narimasu, optical/precision industry heritage
32.22 km² 17,723/km² 199 kg/yr
Nerima Ward
練馬区
723,000
residents
Urban farms, Hikarigaoka Park, Toei Oedo Line terminus
48.08 km² 15,038/km² 190 kg/yr
Adachi Ward
足立区
692,000
residents
Senju post-town heritage, diverse multicultural community, Hanabatake Farm Park
53.25 km² 12,995/km² 206 kg/yr
Katsushika Ward
葛飾区
461,000
residents
Shibamata (Tora-san film location), Kameari, Katsushika Symphony Hills
34.8 km² 13,247/km² 203 kg/yr
Edogawa Ward
江戸川区
682,000
residents
Nishi-Kasai (Little India), Kasai Rinkai Park, DisneySea proximity
49.86 km² 13,679/km² 197 kg/yr
Tokyo's 5 Waste Categories — Quick Reference
Burnable (燃えるごみ)
Food scraps, dirty paper, rubber, small wooden items. 2× per week in most wards.
Non-burnable (不燃ごみ)
Small metal, glass, ceramics, lighters. 1–2× per month per ward.
Recyclable (資源ごみ)
Clean PET bottles, cans, glass bottles, cardboard. Typically weekly.
Bulky Waste (粗大ごみ)
Furniture, bicycles, appliances. Reservation required, fees apply.
Hazardous (有害ごみ)
Batteries, fluorescent bulbs, spray cans. Monthly drop-off or collection.
Ward-by-Ward Comparison Table
Sorted by ward code (Tokyo Metropolitan Government order). Population and waste figures are 2024 estimates.
| Ward | Population | Area | Density (/km²) | Waste/capita | Foreign res. % | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiyoda Ward 千代田区 | 67,000 | 11.66 km² | 5,747 | 248 kg | 4.2% | Official ↗ |
| Chuo Ward 中央区 | 175,000 | 10.21 km² | 17,140 | 219 kg | 6.1% | Official ↗ |
| Minato Ward 港区 | 262,000 | 20.37 km² | 12,863 | 231 kg | 9.8% | Official ↗ |
| Shinjuku Ward 新宿区 | 346,000 | 18.22 km² | 18,991 | 263 kg | 10.6% | Official ↗ |
| Bunkyo Ward 文京区 | 232,000 | 11.29 km² | 20,549 | 204 kg | 5.3% | Official ↗ |
| Taito Ward 台東区 | 206,000 | 10.11 km² | 20,376 | 237 kg | 7.4% | Official ↗ |
| Sumida Ward 墨田区 | 272,000 | 13.77 km² | 19,752 | 222 kg | 5.9% | Official ↗ |
| Koto Ward 江東区 | 525,000 | 40.16 km² | 13,072 | 196 kg | 4.8% | Official ↗ |
| Shinagawa Ward 品川区 | 405,000 | 22.72 km² | 17,826 | 214 kg | 5.7% | Official ↗ |
| Meguro Ward 目黒区 | 286,000 | 14.67 km² | 19,496 | 188 kg | 6.2% | Official ↗ |
| Ota Ward 大田区 | 733,000 | 61.86 km² | 11,847 | 201 kg | 4.4% | Official ↗ |
| Setagaya Ward 世田谷区 | 940,000 | 58.08 km² | 16,185 | 193 kg | 4.1% | Official ↗ |
| Shibuya Ward 渋谷区 | 241,000 | 15.11 km² | 15,950 | 245 kg | 7.3% | Official ↗ |
| Nakano Ward 中野区 | 334,000 | 15.59 km² | 21,424 | 207 kg | 6.8% | Official ↗ |
| Suginami Ward 杉並区 | 582,000 | 34.06 km² | 17,087 | 186 kg | 4.9% | Official ↗ |
| Toshima Ward 豊島区 | 296,000 | 13.01 km² | 22,752 | 255 kg | 9.1% | Official ↗ |
| Kita Ward 北区 | 357,000 | 20.61 km² | 17,322 | 211 kg | 5.1% | Official ↗ |
| Arakawa Ward 荒川区 | 221,000 | 10.2 km² | 21,667 | 216 kg | 6.3% | Official ↗ |
| Itabashi Ward 板橋区 | 571,000 | 32.22 km² | 17,723 | 199 kg | 4.7% | Official ↗ |
| Nerima Ward 練馬区 | 723,000 | 48.08 km² | 15,038 | 190 kg | 3.6% | Official ↗ |
| Adachi Ward 足立区 | 692,000 | 53.25 km² | 12,995 | 206 kg | 7.2% | Official ↗ |
| Katsushika Ward 葛飾区 | 461,000 | 34.8 km² | 13,247 | 203 kg | 4.6% | Official ↗ |
| Edogawa Ward 江戸川区 | 682,000 | 49.86 km² | 13,679 | 197 kg | 8.4% | Official ↗ |
↔ Scroll horizontally on mobile to see all columns
Frequently Asked Questions
What day is garbage collected in Tokyo?
In Tokyo, burnable garbage (燃えるごみ) is collected twice per week in all 23 wards — but the specific days depend on your ward and neighbourhood (丁目). For example, in Shibuya Ward, Harajuku residents collect on Monday & Thursday while Ebisu residents collect on Tuesday & Friday. Use GomiMate to find your exact days by address.
How many waste categories are there in Tokyo?
Tokyo requires 5 categories: (1) Burnable 燃えるごみ — food scraps, dirty paper; (2) Non-burnable 不燃ごみ — small metal and glass; (3) Recyclables 資源ごみ — clean PET, cans, glass; (4) Bulky waste 粗大ごみ — by appointment only; (5) Hazardous 有害ごみ — batteries, fluorescent bulbs.
Why do Tokyo wards have different garbage collection schedules?
Japan's Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act (1970) gives each of Tokyo's 23 wards independent control over its garbage collection. Schedules differ not just between wards but between neighbourhoods within the same ward — moving one street across a ward boundary can change your entire weekly collection calendar.
How do I book bulky waste (粗大ごみ) collection in Tokyo?
Bulky waste always requires advance booking. Each ward has its own phone number and online portal — you cannot leave large items at regular street-side collection points. Fees range from ¥400–¥2,000 per item. Book at least one week ahead; during March–April moving season, slots fill within hours of opening.
Does Tokyo offer garbage guides in English?
Yes. All 23 Tokyo wards publish waste guides in English and Japanese at minimum. High foreign-resident wards like Minato (9 languages) and Adachi (12 languages) also publish multilingual guides in additional languages. GomiMate publishes Tokyo guide pages in 8 languages and app localization is expanding across the same set.