GomiMate (ゴミメイト) is a mobile app for iOS and Android (currently in private beta) that manages garbage collection schedules in Japan. It downloads the official pickup calendar for your exact city block, sends a push notification reminder the night before each collection day, and provides a searchable guide to Japan's complex waste-sorting categories — in English and Japanese.

How do I find my garbage collection schedule in Japan?

There are two ways to get your garbage collection schedule in Japan using GomiMate: (1) Select your ward or city in the app and it automatically downloads the official garbage collection calendar for your specific block from your local government. (2) Walk to your nearest collection station and scan the garbage slip posted there — GomiMate reads the schedule instantly using your camera. Most users are fully set up within 2 minutes.

Which cities and wards in Japan does GomiMate support?

GomiMate supports all 23 special wards of Tokyo (including Shibuya-ku, Shinjuku-ku, Minato-ku, Setagaya-ku, and Koto-ku), Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and 100+ additional municipalities across Japan. New areas are added weekly. Search your city in the app to check current coverage.

What types of garbage are collected in Japan and how do I sort them?

Japanese municipalities typically separate waste into five or more categories: (1) Burnable waste (燃えるごみ / 可燃ごみ) — food scraps, dirty paper, rubber, leather; (2) Non-burnable waste (不燃ごみ) — small metal and glass items, ceramics, lighters; (3) Recyclable waste (資源ごみ) — PET bottles, cans, glass bottles, cardboard, newspapers; (4) Bulky waste (粗大ごみ) — furniture, bicycles, large appliances that require advance reservation; (5) Hazardous waste (有害ごみ) — fluorescent tubes, dry-cell batteries, spray cans. Exact categories and collection days vary by ward. GomiMate's sort guide lets you search any item to find the correct category for your specific municipality.

Do I need an internet connection to check my garbage calendar in GomiMate?

No. After your initial setup, GomiMate saves the full schedule offline on your device. You can check what to put out today or browse the full 2-week calendar without any internet connection. An internet connection is only needed when first setting up your location, using the Scan feature to import a new schedule, or syncing schedule updates from your municipality.

How do I get access to GomiMate?

GomiMate is currently in private beta with invite-only access. To request early access, enter your email address on the GomiMate website. We will send an invitation when your spot is ready. Pricing for the full release has not yet been announced.

What languages does GomiMate support?

GomiMate is currently available in English and Japanese (日本語, with optional furigana reading aids for learners). The app automatically uses your device language, but you can switch manually in Settings.

How do I get a reminder before garbage collection day in Japan?

GomiMate automatically sends a push notification the evening before each collection day. After setting up your location, notifications are enabled by default. You can customize the reminder time, choose which waste categories to be notified about, and enable a second reminder on the morning of collection day — all from the Settings screen.

What is a garbage collection slip (ゴミ収集票) in Japan?

A garbage collection slip (ゴミ収集票 or ゴミカレンダー) is a paper schedule issued by your local ward office that lists which type of garbage is collected on which days for your specific collection station. It is usually posted at your nearest designated garbage collection point. GomiMate can scan this slip with your phone's camera and automatically import the schedule into the app.

How does garbage sorting work for expats and foreigners in Japan?

Japan's garbage sorting system is one of the strictest in the world and varies by municipality, making it confusing for newcomers. Rules typically require separating waste into burnable, non-burnable, recyclables (further split into plastics, PET bottles, glass, cans, paper), and bulky items. Bags must often be transparent, items must be clean, and collection only happens on designated days. GomiMate was designed for this challenge: it shows your exact schedule, explains the rules in English, and reminds you the night before so you never miss a collection or receive a rejection sticker on your bag.

Can I use GomiMate for multiple addresses in Japan?

Yes. Once GomiMate launches publicly, multiple location profiles will be supported — for example, your home in Shibuya, your office in Shinjuku, or a family address in Yokohama. Each location shows its own independent collection schedule and reminders.

What happens if I put out the wrong type of garbage in Japan?

Incorrectly sorted garbage is typically left uncollected. Collection workers attach a rejection sticker (収集不可 or 出し直し) to the bag explaining the problem. The bag must then be taken back and put out correctly on the right collection day. Repeated violations can lead to a warning from your local ward office. GomiMate's sort guide and schedule reminders help prevent this by telling you exactly what to put out, and when.

GomiMate | Japan Garbage Collection Calendar & Trash Day App

Please read these Terms of Service carefully before using GomiMate. By requesting access to or using the app, you agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not agree, do not use GomiMate.

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the GomiMate mobile application, website at gomimate.com, and any related services (collectively, the “Service”) operated by GomiMate (“we”, “us”, “our”).

By requesting access to, creating an account for, or otherwise accessing the Service, you confirm that you are at least 13 years old and agree to these Terms.

2. Description of Service

GomiMate is a garbage collection calendar application for Japan. It provides:

Neighbourhood-specific garbage collection schedules based on official municipal data
Push notification reminders before collection days
A guide to Japan’s waste-sorting categories
A camera-based schedule import feature (“Scan”)

The Service is provided “as is”. While we strive for accuracy, collection schedules are sourced from third-party municipal data and may occasionally be out of date or incorrect.

3. Beta Access and Pricing

Beta access — GomiMate is currently in invite-only private beta. Access is complimentary during the beta period for all invited users. Beta invitations are granted subject to availability.

Future pricing — Following the beta, GomiMate plans to offer a standard plan (core features: calendar, reminders, sort guide, and one saved location) as well as an optional GomiMate Plus subscription (¥350/month) adding unlimited schedule scans, multiple saved location profiles, and priority support.

We will notify all beta users of any changes to access or pricing with at least 30 days’ notice before they take effect.

4. User Responsibilities

You agree not to:

Use the Service for any unlawful purpose
Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or extract source code from the app
Scrape, crawl, or automate access to our servers or municipal data feeds
Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
Introduce malware, viruses, or any code intended to harm the Service or other users
Use the Service in any way that could damage, disable, or impair its functionality

5. Accuracy of Schedule Data

Garbage collection schedules are sourced from official Japanese municipal open data. While we update schedules regularly, we cannot guarantee that every schedule is current or error-free. Collection days may change due to public holidays, severe weather, or municipal updates that have not yet been reflected in GomiMate.

Always check your local ward office’s official website or your physical collection notice if in doubt. GomiMate is a convenience tool and does not replace official municipal communications.

6. Intellectual Property

GomiMate, the GomiMate logo, the app design, and all original content are owned by or licensed to GomiMate and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Municipal garbage collection schedule data is sourced from publicly available government open data and is used in accordance with applicable open data licences (primarily CC BY 4.0 and government standard licences for Japan).

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the app for personal, non-commercial purposes.

7. Privacy

Your use of GomiMate is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

8. Disclaimers

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, GOMIMATE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses. We are not responsible for any loss or damage arising from incorrect schedule data, missed notifications, or reliance on the Service.

9. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, GOMIMATE AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS OR DATA, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE.

Our total liability for any claim arising from these Terms or the Service shall not exceed the amount you paid to GomiMate in the 12 months preceding the claim, or ¥1,000, whichever is greater.

10. Termination

You may stop using GomiMate at any time by deleting the app. GomiMate Plus subscriptions must be cancelled separately through the App Store or Google Play.

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service if you violate these Terms, with or without notice.

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Japan. Any dispute arising from these Terms or the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tokyo District Court (東京地方裁判所) as the court of first instance, unless mandatory consumer protection laws in your country of residence require otherwise.

12. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes via in-app notification or email at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use of the Service after that date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

13. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Reach us at:

Email: legal@gomimate.com
Or use our Contact page