Life in Hiroshima
Garbage
In Hiroshima City, household waste is divided into 8 types:
- Combustible Waste
- PET Bottles
- Recyclable Plastics (plastic from packaging)
- Other Plastics (plastic other than recyclable plastic)
- Incombustible Waste
- Recyclable Waste
- Harmful Waste
- Large Waste
Separate waste into the 8 types, and place each type at the specified location near your home by 08:30 on the day specified for your area.
To learn how to separate your waste, see the Household Waste Disposal Guidelines. The guidelines are also available online: http://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/www/contents/1550987043357/index.html
- It costs money to dispose of large items. You must apply for collection through the Large Waste Information Center (Tel: 082-544-5300 Fax: 082-544-5301). They can only respond to phone calls in Japanese.
The deadline to apply through the Center is three days before your area’s collection day. When you count three days, do not include the collection day itself, or any days when the Center is closed.
You can also apply online through the City of Hiroshima website; the online form can be found here: http://www.ogatagomi.kankyo.city.hiroshima.jp/. The deadline to apply online is five days before your area’s collection day. When you count five days, do not include the collection day itself, or any days when the Large Waste Information Center is closed.
Household Waste Disposal Guidelines
Who to contact about waste disposal and waste collection sites (establishment, relocation, and removal)
| Name | Location | Tel | Fax | Area Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naka Environment Office | 1-5-1 Minami-yoshijima, Naka-ku | 082-241-0779 | 082-241-1407 | Naka Ward, Higashi Ward |
| Minami Environment Office | 3-17-2 Shinonome, Minami-ku | 082-286-9790 | 082-286-9791 | Minami Ward |
| Nishi Environment Office | 7-7-1 Shoko-center, Nishi-ku | 082-277-6404 | 082-277-6406 | Nishi Ward |
| Asaminami Environment Office | 4-4013-1 Tomokita, Asaminami-ku | 082-848-3320 | 082-848-4411 | Asaminami Ward |
| Asakita Environment Office | 1471-8 Oaza Nakashima, Kabe-cho, Asakita-ku | 082-814-7884 | 082-814-7894 | Asakita Ward |
| Aki Environment Office | 2-3-18 Yano-shin-machi, Aki-ku | 082-884-0322 | 082-884-0324 | Aki Ward |
| Saeki Environment Office | 1-4-48 Kairoen, Saeki-ku | 082-922-9211 | 082-922-9221 | Saeki Ward |
What you can do with waste not collected by the City of Hiroshima
Large Waste
Other
Water, Sewage, Electricity, and Gas
Water
Tap water is provided by the Waterworks Bureau of the City of Hiroshima. If you want your water supply turned on or off, contact the Newly Moved Customer Advice Center three or four days in advance (Tel: 082-511-5959 Fax: 082-228-8861).
For questions about your water bill, contact the Waterworks Bureau office that deals with your ward.
Sewage fees are paid together with water fees in areas that have a sewer system.
For inquiries about sewage fees, contact the Management Division, Sewerage Bureau, the City of Hiroshima (Tel: 082-241-8258).
Electricity
If you want to have your electricity supply turned on or off (for example, because you are moving) or if you experience an interruption in service, contact the relevant branch of Chugoku Electric Power (see below).
ーChugoku Electric Power
To turn the supply on or off (when moving home, etc.):
| Ward | Tel | Name | Address |
| Naka Ward Higashi Ward Minami Ward Nishi Ward | 0120-297-510 | Hiroshima Energy Sales Center | 2-42 Takeya-cho, Naka-ku |
| Aki Ward | 0120-525-079 | ||
| Asaminami Ward Asakita Ward | 0120-516-830 | Hiroshima-kita Energy Sales Center | 25-28 Midorii 1-chome, Asaminami-ku |
| Saeki Ward | Saeki Ward | Hatsukaichi Energy Sales Center | 5-12 Kushido 6-chome, Hatsukaichi City |
If you have a power outage:
| Ward | Tel | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naka Ward Higashi Ward Minami Ward Nishi Ward | 0120-748-510 | Hiroshima Service Office | 2-42 Takeya-cho, Naka-ku |
| Aki Ward | 0120-525-089 | Yano Service Office | 3-21 Yano-shin-machi 2-chome, Aki-ku |
| Asaminami Ward Asakita Ward | 0120-516-850 | Hiroshima-kita Service Office | 25-28 Midorii 1-chome, Asaminami-ku |
| Saeki Ward | 0120-517-370 | Hatsukaichi Service Office | 5-12 Kushido 6-chome, Hatsukaichi-City |
Note: If your electricity is not supplied by Chugoku Electric Power, contact your electricity supplier directly.
Gas
If you want to start using gas, or if you experience any problems with your gas supply, contact the Hiroshima Gas Company, Ltd. If your gas is not supplied by Hiroshima Gas, contact your gas supplier.
For propane gas, contact a propane supplier in your area. Ask your landlord for more information about local propane suppliers.
ーHiroshima Gas
| Name | Address | Tel |
|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima Gas Head Office | 2-7-1 Minami-machi, Minami-ku Note: Customer service is available in English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Thai through an external interpreting service. | 082-251-2151 |
Note: Hiroshima Gas can also provide door-to-door services in the languages listed above by using a handheld device.
Housing
Finding a place to live
Housing is usually found through real estate agents. If you are studying at a university, your university may be able to provide relevant information.
To rent housing, you must sign a lease contract. Lease contracts usually require a guarantor (hoshonin). Lease contracts also usually include things unique to Japan, such as “key money” (reikin) and security deposits (shikikin). For more information, contact a real estate agent or, if you are a student, your university.
Municipal housing
If you either a) are a registered resident of Hiroshima City who actually lives here, or
b) work in Hiroshima City, and you meet criteria including those related to family members and income, you can apply to live in municipal housing.
You can apply in two ways: one is available throughout the year and the other is available during application periods that happen four times a year (in February, May, August and November). To apply or make inquiries, contact the Architecture Division of the relevant ward office.
Private rental housing: support services for foreign nationals
Hiroshima Prefectural Government Housing Support Services
The Hiroshima Prefectural Government helps residents more likely to have trouble finding housing, such as foreign nationals, by providing assistance and information about private rental housing.
You can use the Anshin Jutaku Information website (http://db.anshin-kyoju.jp/guest/index.php) to search for private rental housing that accepts foreign nationals. Available housing is marked with “住宅SN”.
If your address changes, submit a change of address notification form to the post office. After submission, mail sent to your previous address will be forwarded to your new address for one year.
Information about mail in English:
Tel: 0570-046-111
Monday to Friday: 8:00–21:00
Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays: 9:00–21:00
Visit the following website for information about mail in English: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/index_en.html
Japanese post offices are not only responsible for the mail; they also provide savings and insurance services.