2. Useful Information for Daily Life | Life in Hiroshima 2023

2-1 Garbage

1) 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

For more details, see the Household Waste Disposal Guidelines (see page 49). The guidelines are also available on the official City of Hiroshima website:​ 「9.Household Waste Disposal Guidelines」.

2) 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(see 7. Places to Get Useful Advice and Information) 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/

3) 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 calling plans do not cover expenses incurred from calling this number. Flat-rate calling plan subscribers may call the following number instead. Tel: 082-544-5300 (Japanese only)

https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/kateigomi/13279.html

See「9.Household Waste Disposal Guidelines」for information about how to pay for and dispose of Large Waste.

2-2 Water, Sewage, Electricity, and Gas

1) Water and Sewage Services

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 (see 7. Places to Get Useful Advice and Information)

f 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

2) 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)

2. If you experience power outages:

Contact your local Chugoku Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Center

3) 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

2-3 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 （see 3.  Important Paperwork）.

• 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＜外部リンク＞

• 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  (see 7. Places to Get Useful Information).

Etiquette

Noise

Keep in mind that when living in housing complexes or apartments, the noise you make in your house or apartment might be heard by your neighbor, potentially resulting in issues. Try to keep noise to a minimum, especially late at night and early in the morning, as this might annoy your neighbors.

(For example, be careful of the volume of televisions, radios, musical instruments, speaking in loud voices, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, showers/baths, opening and closing doors, etc.)

Use of shared areas in multi-dwelling housing

Hallways and stairs are communal areas. In an emergency, such as an earthquake or fire, these are used for evacuation. Do not leave your personal items there.

Neighborhood/community associations

Neighborhood/community associations (chōnaikai or jichikai) are formed independently by the community and allow residents to help each other and build friendships. Membership is voluntary. Joining such an organization will help you access information about life in the community. Moreover, they offer help in times of emergency, such as in the event of a disaster, and more. To find out how to join your neighborhood/community association, ask someone in charge, such as the chairperson, or contact the Community Revitalization Division of your local ward office (see 7. Places to Get Useful Information).

Pet care

Dog registration

If you own a dog that is 91 days old or older, you must register them. You only need to register once, and registration can be done at the Animal Care Center or any private veterinarian. A license tag will be issued after registration. You must contact the Animal Care Center in the following cases:

• The dog’s owner changes.
• The owner’s address changes.
• The dog dies.
• The dog bites someone.

Rabies vaccination (once a year)

If you own a dog, you must vaccinate them against rabies. Vaccinate your dog at a group vaccination or at a private veterinarian. Group vaccinations are held every year in Hiroshima City between April and May. Once your dog has received a rabies vaccination, you will receive a vaccination certificate.

Note: Dogs must wear their license tags and vaccination certificates.

Microchipping dogs and cats

As of June 1, 2022, dogs and cats sold at pet stores and breeders are required to be

microchipped. In other words, your new pet would already be microchipped at the time of purchase, and you will need to register your particulars and update the information on the microchip.

If you receive or pick up a dog or cat without a microchip and decide to keep it as a pet, you will have to register your particulars when you bring your pet to a veterinary clinic to be microchipped.

Animal Care Center

Address: 11-27 Fujimi-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima city 

Tel: 082-243-6058

2-4 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 ＜外部リンク＞

2-5 Rules of the Road

In Japan, cars, motorcycles, and bicycles keep to the left and pedestrians walk on the right. Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks.

1) Bicycles

When riding a bicycle, please follow these five safety rules:                   

• In principle, stick to the road and keep to the left.​ ​Only ride on sidewalks when permitted and yield to pedestrians.
• Obey traffic signals and stop signs at intersections and check if it is safe to proceed.
• Turn on your bicycle lights when cycling at night​.
• Never ride under the influence of alcohol​.
• Wear a helmet.

Note: As of April 2023, all bicycle users are obliged to make an effort to wear bicycle helmets while riding. Likewise, when riding an adult bicycle with a child seat installed, bicycle users are obliged to make an effort to ensure that the onboard child fastens their seat belt and wears a helmet. This rule came into effect starting October 6, 2022 and applies to children below elementary school age.

Protect yourself by getting a bicycle insurance

In accordance with the Hiroshima Prefectural Ordinance, it is mandatory for bicycle users (excluding minors) to purchase bicycle insurance starting in April 2023.

Dangerous cycling behaviors to avoid

1. Riding a bicycle while wearing earphones or headphones and listening to loud music
2. Using your phone while riding
3. As a general rule, riding tandem on a single-seater bicycle is not allowed
4. Riding two abreast

For safety purposes, be sure to have your bicycle undergo regular inspection and maintenance checks.

Unattended bicycles and motorcycles

Make sure to park your bicycle or motorcycle in a designated parking space. Bicycles and motorcycles left unattended in other places not only get in the way of pedestrians but can also cause accidents and obstruct emergency services.

All bicycles and motorcycles parked in areas marked with the sign to the right will be removed and impounded immediately. If your bicycle or motorcycle is impounded, be sure to claim it from the impound lot. 

Hiroshima City West Bicycle and Motorcycle Impound Lot

Tel: 082-277-7916

Vehicles are stored for one month. Vehicles not claimed within one month will be disposed of by the City. 

2) Cars and motorbikes

• To operate a car or motorcycle in Japan, you need to possess any one of the following documents:
  1. Japanese driver's license
  2. International Driving Permit issued under the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic
  3. Driver’s license issued in recognized countries and regions that allows for driving in Japan with an attached Japanese translation translated by an embassy or consulate (currently available for Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan)

• Note: (2) and (3) will allow you to drive in Japan for up to one year at most.

• You need a license to drive a car or motorcycle. Do not drive if you do not have your license in your possession (if you have forgotten it at home, etc.).
• Drivers and all passengers must wear seatbelts.
• Children under 6 years old must be placed in child car seats.
• You must wear a helmet when riding a motorbike.
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving or to drive under the influence of alcohol. There are particularly strict penalties for drunk driving. Do not drink and drive.

3) Public transport

It is good to be aware of the following etiquette when riding the bus, train, or other public transport:

• Wait in line for public transport; do not cut in front of people who have been waiting longer than you.
• Do not smoke on public transport.
• Try not to talk on the phone while riding public transport.
• Keep the volume of music (etc.) to a minimum

Using public transport

Start Hiroshima produces videos about a variety of useful topics, including public transport.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZuk9nZf0COsZyJxHg2YBLA ＜外部リンク＞

Produced in Japanese

Subtitles available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.