How To Get Rid of Furniture and More In Japan: The Ultimate 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.

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. Visit your city hall for more details about 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.  And excluding items from the Home Appliance Recycling Law, common sodai gomi items are:

• 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 special due to the Home Appliance Recycling Law. These items are:

• 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 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 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 can contact give and sell your items to these places.

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 for them 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 your oversized items for trash pick up. 

There are two ways to apply:

1. 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.

2. 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 garage 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 bit more difficult to find in city areas such as Tokyo, but they do exist. 

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

Using this method, you’ll need a car to transport your items and remove furniture. 

Option 4: Hire waste disposal companies

An English speaking waste disposal companies for Tokyo

While arranging oversized garbage is the common route, it’s entirely in Japanese and can be confusing to do. Plus, this route can be slow if you need to get rid of furniture and other items quickly.

Waste disposal companies are the answer. 

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 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 other people can know what they are looking for and where to find you.

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

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 on the pick-up date before your residence. Other methods include selling your items online as secondhand items.

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 oversize 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

Learning how to remove furniture in Japan is part of their sodai gomi process. Opting for a municipal pick-up, dropping the item off at a collection center, or hiring a waste disposal company allows the item to be properly disposed of.

However, for those looking to recycle or sell their items, try Jimoty and various Facebook groups, as many others are willing to take them off your hands.