Life in Hiroshima
1. Garbage
2. Water, Sewage, Electricity, and Gas
3. Housing
4. Mail
1. Garbage
Separating Garbage
In Hiroshima City, household waste is divided into 8 categories:
1. Combustible Waste
2. PET Bottles
3. Recyclable Plastics (plastic from packaging)
4. Other Plastics (plastic other than recyclable plastic)
5. Non-combustible Waste
6. Recyclable Waste
7. Harmful Waste
8. Large Waste
The guidelines are also available on the official City of Hiroshima website:
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/kateigomi/318942.html
Garbage Collection
Put your garbage out at your designated collection point by 8:30 am on the collection day for each category. Ask your neighbors or contact the Sanitation Offices to find out where your designated collection point is.
Collection days differ according to category and residential area. For more information about collection days in your area, see:
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/life/1/11/81/
☘ Holiday Trash Collection Schedule in FY2023 (April 2023-March 2024) [PDF]
Disposing of Large Waste
Items larger than 30cm are classified as Large Waste, and cost money to dispose of. Apply for collection through the Large Waste Information Center. Large waste cannot be collected straight away, so be sure to apply at least three days before the Large Waste collection day in your area. If you apply via the City of Hiroshima website, you will need to apply at least five days in advance.
Note: Count from the day before the collection day. The abovementioned three and five days do not include days when the Center is closed.
Large Waste Information Center
Tel: 0570-082530 (Japanese only)
※Please note that flat-rate cellular calling plans do not cover expenses incurred from calling this number. For flat-rate cellular calling plan subscribers, please call the following number instead.
Tel: 082-544-5300
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/kateigomi/13279.html
2. Water, Sewage, Electricity, and Gas
Water and Sewage Services
1. Turning the water supply on and off:
If you want your water supply turned on or off, contact the City of Hiroshima Waterworks Bureau Newly Moved Customer Advice Center at least three to four days in advance.
Waterworks Bureau Newly Moved Customer Advice Center
Tel: 082-511-5959 Fax: 082-228-8861
2. Questions about water bills and sewage fees:
Contact your local Waterworks Bureau Service Station if you have questions about your water bill. Contact the Management Division, Sewerage Bureau, the City of Hiroshima if you have questions about your sewage fees.
Management Division, Sewerage Bureau
Tel: 082-241-8258
Electricity
1. Turning the electricity supply on and off:
Chugoku Electric Power (If your electricity is not provided by Chugoku Electric Power, please contact your provider directly)
Area: Naka Ward, Higashi Ward, Minami Ward, Nishi Ward (except Shinjo-cho), and part of Minaga in Saeki Ward
Name: Hiroshima Energy Sales Center
Tel: 0120-297-510
Area: Aki Ward (except Terayashiki): Hiroshima Energy Sales Center
Tel: 0120-525-079
Area: Asaminami Ward, Asakita Ward, Shinjo-cho in Nishi Ward, part of Nukushina and Fukuda in Higashi Ward, and Shimo in Yuki-cho (Saeki Ward)
Name: Hiroshima-kita Energy Sales Center
Tel: 0120-516-830
Area: The rest of Saeki Ward
Name: Hatsukaichi Energy Sales Center
Tel: 0120-517-270
2. If you experience power outages:
Contact your local Chugoku Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Center
Area: Naka Ward, Higashi Ward, Minami Ward, Nishi Ward (except Shinjo-cho), and part of Minaga in Saeki Ward
Name: Hiroshima Transmission and Distribution Center
Tel: 0120-748-510
Area: Aki Ward (except Terayashiki): Yano Transmission and Distribution Center
Tel: 0120-525-089
Area: Asaminami Ward, Asakita Ward, Shinjo-cho in Nishi Ward, part of Nukushina and Fukuda in Higashi Ward, and Shimoin Yuki-cho (Saeki Ward)
Name: Hiroshima-kita Transmission and Distribution Center
Tel: 0120-516-850
Area: The rest of Saeki Ward
Name: Hatsukaichi Transmission and Distribution Center
Tel: 0120-517-370
Gas
Turning the gas supply on or off, or if your gas appliance is faulty/broken:
Hiroshima Gas Customer Center (If your gas is not provided by Hiroshima Gas, please contact your provider directly).
Tel: 0570-002-888 or 082-251-2176
In case of gas leakage:
Hiroshima Gas Security Command Center
Hiroshima Gas customer service is available in English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Thai through external interpreting services and mobile devices.
Tel: 082-251-3219
For propane gas, contact a propane supplier in your area. Ask your realtor or contact Hiroshima Gas Propane for more information about local propane suppliers.
Tel: 082-821-3634
3. 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 (hoshōnin). 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.
Be sure to register your address once you have found housing. → Click to check it HERE.
🏠 Private rental housing: support services for foreign nationals
You can search for private rental housing that accepts foreign nationals via the Safety Net Housing Information website:
https://www.safetynet-jutaku.jp/guest/index.php (Japanese)
🏠 Municipal housing
If you either a) are a registered resident of Hiroshima City who actually lives here and meets criteria including those related to family members and income; or b) work in Hiroshima City and 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). For more information, contact the Architecture Division of your local ward office.
4. Mail
Japanese post offices are not only responsible for the mail; they also provide savings and insurance services. 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.
Customer Service Consultation Center
Tel: 0120-23-2886 / 0570-046-666 (For services in English: 0570-046-111)
Monday to Friday: 8 am – 9 pm Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays: 9 am – 9 pm
Visit the following website for information about mail in English: https://www.post.japanpost.jp/index_en.html
