Why are there no trash cans on Tokyo streets? As a first-time tourist, I had to find out

Japan has a reputation for being one of the cleanest countries in the world. Trains sparkle, sidewalks are pristine, and even in Tokyo’s busiest neighborhoods you’d be hard-pressed to find litter. But there’s one detail that confounded me completely when I visited the city for the first time as a tourist: There are almost no public trash cans. This is a big deal for Americans used to walking around snacking and drinking out of disposable cups. Where do you put your trash?

A recent survey from the Japan National Tourism Organization cited by CNN found that the top logistical complaint from travelers wasn’t language barriers or crowds — it was the lack of bins. More than 20 percent of visitors said finding a place to throw away wrappers or bottles was the most frustrating part of their trip. So what gives?

Etiquette over convenience

Cultural norms are a big part of the answer. Eating while walking is considered bad manners, and in some cities it’s outright banned. Locals typically carry their food back home or to the office before eating, then dispose of trash there. Even when they do snack on the go, many Japanese people carry a small bag to stash waste until they can toss it properly. It’s something I quickly learned to do as a tourist, too.

Tourism adds pressure

That system works for locals, but mass tourism has strained the delicate balance. In Nara, home to thousands of free-roaming deer, trash left behind by visitors has proved deadly — nine deer died in 2019 after ingesting plastic. The city, which had removed bins in the 1980s to keep animals safe, has now installed solar-powered trash cans near popular attractions with “Save the Deer” printed in English.

In Tokyo’s Shibuya district, officials have linked litter to rowdy Halloween parties and even banned public drinking to cut down on garbage.

A darker history

There’s also a sobering reason for the absence of trash cans: security. After the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, in which 14 people were killed, many receptacles were removed from stations to reduce the risk of hiding explosives or other dangerous materials. The few that remain often use clear plastic liners so police can see inside.

Carry it with you

For frustrated tourists, the best solution is to plan ahead. Convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Lawson sometimes offer bins, and vending machines often have small ones beside them. Travelers can also pick up a traditional furoshiki cloth to stash trash during the day — and later repurpose it as a keepsake from their trip.

Japan’s system might test visitors’ patience, but it’s also a reminder of how social etiquette and shared responsibility keep the country remarkably clean — even without the trash cans everyone expects.