How To Get Rid of Furniture In Japan: An Easy Guide

Whether you are moving to a new city, permanently leaving Japan, or need to throw away a big item, you know you can’t get rid of furniture by placing it outside your residence.

You’ve already mastered throwing out general garbage in Japan, such as knowing which items are burnable, non-burnable, plastics, and PET bottles. 

But now it’s time to tackle oversized items in Japan.

This guide will cover furniture removal, local junk removal companies, and much more.

What is sodai gomi?

Common sodai gomi in Minato, Tokyo, including microwaves, vacuums, and chairs

粗大ごみ (sodai gomi) is categorized as oversized garbage in Japan. Depending on your municipality in Japan, items that do not fit into the standard trash bag are considered oversized. 

As a general rule, any item over 30 cm in height, width, or depth is a good measurement for oversized items. Your city hall's website for in-depth guidance on how to get rid of furniture and other sodai gomi.

Common sodai gomi items

Different regions of Japan have different ways of categorizing exactly what items are oversized.  Common sodai gomi items include the following:

• Furniture (chests, bookshelves, tables, desks, chairs, etc.)

• Home appliances (microwaves, vacuums, fans, etc.)

• Futon

• Bed and mattress

• Bicycle

The easiest way to find out which items are oversized is to search for [(local area)粗大ごみの品目例] or [(local area)ごみ分別辞典] in your search engine. 

For example, before moving out of Edogawa, Tokyo, I searched [江戸川区粗大ごみの品目例] to see which items I needed to schedule for oversized garbage pickup.  

Anything labeled as bulky garbage through the translation is considered oversized garbage. 

Sodai gomi exceptions

These items, including large appliances and PCs, are difficult to dispose of in Ogi City, Saga, Kyushu, and throughout Japan.

Some key items in Japan are considered "special" due to the Home Appliance Recycling Law. These items include the following:

• Large electrical appliances (Air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine)

• CTR TVs

• Metal spring mattress (varies throughout Japan)

There are three options to get rid of these items:

1. Retailer take-back: When buying a new appliance, you can request the retailer to take the old one. Most electronic retailers offer this service. You can provide proof of purchase of the new item for a reduced disposal fee.

2. Manufacturer disposal: Contact the original manufacturer, as many will have designated recycling centers for their products and will be able to dispose of them properly. Follow their instructions for pick-up and drop-off.

3. Recycling centers, waste disposal, and third-party sellers: If the appliance is still in good condition, you may be able to sell your items to these places.

Here's a quick overview of various hard-to-dispose-of items in Japan, and how to handle them.

How to get rid of furniture in Japan

While the exact details will differ in various places, the overall process will be the same for everyone living in Japan.

Option 1: Schedule a municipal pick-up to get rid of furniture

While living in America, my family could place our furniture in front of our yard for the garbage system to take it. However, Japan is different.

In Japan, there is a procedure for getting rid of oversized items that require payment and scheduling.

a. Check your sodai gomi collection schedule.

Each ward and the local city have different trash collection schedules. Typically, sodai gomi has a specific day for it to be picked up. However, you will still need to apply for your items to be picked up.

If not, they will be left on the side.

b. Apply for your items to be thrown out.

Once you know when sodai gomi occurs, you must apply for your oversized items to be collected on the trash pick up day.

There are two ways to apply:

• Through the garbage center online reception center: Search [粗大ごみ受付センター], and your respective area will pop up.

• Through LINE, though it depends on your city or ward: Search [大ごみ収集をLINE(local area)] to find more information about applying for sodai gomi through LINE. Fukuoka City has this option.

Here are a few precautions to know when applying:

• It's best to apply 2-3 weeks before the pick-up day.

• Most garbage collection centers will be in Japanese. Use Google Translate to help you navigate the application process.

• Prepare information such as your name, phone number, address, and the item you want to throw out.

The fees depend on the type of item you are throwing out and vary throughout Japan. For example, chairs cost 500 yen in Fukuoka City but 400 yen in Edogawa-ku. In contrast, a bicycle costs 300 yen in Fukuoka City versus 900 yen in Edogawa-ku.

c. Pay the ticket fee.

If you apply for sodai gomi through your local area, you will receive a barcode through text or e-mail.

Go to the convenience store and pay for it. The process will be similar to paying your utility bills but with your phone.

You'll receive the sodai gomi sticker.

Setagaya disposal tickets

Write the scheduled pickup date and the registration number for the item you are throwing out.

If you applied through LINE, you can pay the fee using a credit/debit card, LINE Pay, or PayPay. Once confirmed, you'll write down the necessary information on a piece of paper with a marker and attach it to the item.

Disposal tickets are different throughout Japan. For example, Fukuoka City has 300, 500, and 1000 yen stickers instead of 200 and 300 yen with Tokyo.

d. Place your oversized item outside.

Beforehand, read if any preparation needs to be done to help the garbage collector.

For example, some futons need to be rolled and tied securely, depending on your local area's rules. For items where the sticker might peel off more easily, place the sticker in a plastic bag and attach it to the item.

Then, you can place your item outside on the scheduled pick-up date.

Option 2: Dropping off your oversized item

This option is similar to scheduling for a sodai gomi pickup. You'll still go through the application process. Instead of a pickup at your residence, you'll select a garbage collection center to drop off your sodai gomi.

Be sure to double-check if your nearest collection center accepts in-person drop-offs.

If they do, bring either your residence card, health insurance, My Number, or driver's license as some form of identification to prove you were the person who registered.

This option is best when you can physically carry and drop your item off. This method requires a car to get rid of furniture.

Option 3: Recycling centers and stores

Recycling centers are a great option for old furniture removal, as well as making a little cash on the side.

These places are great because they'll accept broken items for parts, akiya furniture, and can handle difficult sodai gomi items.

Some recycling stores will offer free furniture removal or some form of pickup service, but in many cases you'll need a car to transport your items to the second-hand store. Call the thrift store in advance to see what options are available.

Japan's second-hand stores: age requirements & pickup services

Note: Age requirements and pickup services may vary by location and are subject to change. Contact individual stores for current policies.

Option 4: Hire waste disposal companies

An English-speaking waste disposal company for Tokyo

While arranging oversized garbage collection via your city office is the common route—the process is typically entirely in Japanese and can thus be confusing. Plus, this route can be slow if you need to get rid of furniture and other items quickly.

In such cases, you may want to look into junk removal services and/or waste disposal companies in your area.

Nishida Service is an English-speaking waste disposal company that can pick up sodai gomi and other items for Tokyo residents. Be sure to receive a quotation on how much their service would cost.

If you need help looking for waste disposal companies in your area, search [(local area)粗大ゴミ回収本舗] or [不用品回収セブン(local area)].

Option 5: Third-party sellers or giving it away for free

If your items are still in good working condition and you want to sell them or give them away for free, use these sites.

Facebook groups

There are many Facebook groups online that foreign residents in Japan use to get rid of furniture and other items they don't want.

The most popular sites are:

• Mottainai: for free items online

• Sayonara Sale: Search for your local area. For example, Tokyo Sayonara Sales caters to people in Tokyo and the greater Tokyo area.

• Tokyo Garage Sale

• Japan Garage Sale

• In Search Of- Japan

Each Facebook group has specific rules and policies when using their group to eliminate your items.

Jimoty

ジモティ , or Jimoty, is a free advertising board. Think of it like a Japanese version of Craigslist.

When you want to get rid of your furniture or other items, be sure to use the correct category, location, and description so that people can know what you are offering and where to find you.

Because this site also caters to Japanese people, items usually sell much faster. 

How to find free furniture removal services

Here are the main ways to find free furniture removal services in Japan:

• The Salvation Army - The main store which offers a pick-up service is the Salvation Army, based in Tokyo. Before you pack anything, first check the website and see what they will take, as they have a minimum amount of bags in order to qualify for collection, and a maximum distance too.

• Mottainai Japan Facebook Group - The Mottainai Japan Facebook group can be a wonderful way to give a deserving Tokyo family or young emerging expat access to furniture.

• Tokyo Freecycle - on Tokyo Freecycle must be given away for free. This is a sure-fire way to have your old belongings find new homes quickly.

• IKEA Buyback Service - We offer the Buyback & Resell Service for used IKEA furniture. You will receive a return card based on the condition the furniture.

• Furniture Store Pickup - Many furniture stores will remove your old furniture when delivering new items.

Strategies to find free services

1. Check Facebook Groups - Search for local expat groups, sayonara sales groups, and freecycle communities in your area

2. Contact Local Charities - Call religious organizations, international schools, and community centers

3. Post on Community Boards - Universities, international communities, and housing complexes often have bulletin boards

4. Use Apps - Jmty (ジモティー), Mercari, and other Japanese apps where you can list items for free pickup

5. Ask Your Ward Office - Some municipalities have partnerships with local charities

Keep in mind, most free services require furniture to be in good, usable condition. And you'll typically need to arrange timing around the picker's schedule

The key is being proactive and reaching out to multiple sources, as free pickup services fill up quickly, especially during peak moving seasons.

Frequently asked questions

How do you throw out furniture in Japan?

The most common method of throwing out furniture is to arrange an oversized garbage pick-up through your municipality by making an appointment and paying the pick-up fee. Once the fee is paid, place your items in front of your residence on the pick-up date. Other methods include selling your items online on apps like Merucari.

How do I get rid of a bunch of furniture?

To get rid of many furniture items, you can schedule these items for same-day pickup with your municipality. You can also donate or recycle your items for others to use.

How much does it cost to get rid of a mattress in Japan?

Getting rid of oversized items varies throughout Japan. For example, getting rid of a mattress in Japan costs 1000 yen in Fukuoka compared to 1,300 yen in Setagaya, Tokyo.

In closing

In Japan, disposing of large furniture falls under the sodai gomi (bulky waste) system. You have several options for proper disposal: scheduling a municipal pickup, taking items to a designated collection center, or hiring a private waste disposal company.

However, before disposing of furniture, consider more sustainable alternatives. Many items can find new homes through platforms like Jimoty or local Facebook groups, where people actively seek second-hand furniture. This approach not only reduces waste but may also put some money back in your pocket.