Japanese garbage sorting has a reputation for being complicated, and Karuizawa's system is stricter than many — three different designated bags, glass separated by colour, and a strict morning-only window for putting bins out. Get it wrong and your bag may be left uncollected with a sticker on it. The good news: once you understand the categories it becomes routine. This guide covers exactly how to sort, bag, and time your garbage in Karuizawa. If you've just arrived, see Your First Two Weeks in Karuizawa for the rest of your setup checklist.
Please note: the specifics below reflect Karuizawa Town's published rules, but categories and calendars are updated periodically. Always check the current garbage guide and your district calendar on the town website, or use the San-aru app.
TL;DR
- Karuizawa uses three designated bags: blue-lettered (burnable), yellow (container plastic — write your name on it), red-lettered (non-burnable).
- PET bottles, old paper, glass, and cans go out separately, not in a designated bag.
- Glass bottles are sorted by colour: brown, colourless, and other.
- Put garbage out between 6:00 and 8:30 AM on collection day — never the night before (bears).
- Find your district collection calendar on the town website, or use the San-aru (さんあーる) app.
How is garbage sorted in Karuizawa?
Karuizawa separates household waste into several streams, and the three most common — burnable, container plastic, and non-burnable — each have their own designated bag (指定袋):
- Burnable garbage (可燃ごみ) — kitchen scraps, soiled paper, and similar — goes in the transparent bag with blue lettering.
- Container & packaging plastic (容器包装プラスチック) — clean plastic wrappers, trays, and bottles for non-PET items — goes in the yellow bag, and you must write your name on it.
- Non-burnable garbage (不燃ごみ) goes in the transparent bag with red lettering, and is itself separated into multiple sub-types.
Recyclables — PET bottles, glass, cans, and paper — are handled differently, as below.
What are the designated bags and where do I buy them?
The designated bags (指定袋) are sold at supermarkets, convenience stores, and home centres around town. The bag you need depends on the garbage type, so check the colour and lettering before buying: blue lettering for burnable, yellow for container plastic, red lettering for non-burnable. The yellow plastic bag has one extra rule — write your name on it before putting it out.
How do I put out plastics, PET bottles and paper?
- Container & packaging plastic goes in the yellow named bag — rinse off food residue first.
- PET bottles (ペットボトル) are not bagged in a designated bag. Remove the cap and label (these are container plastic), rinse, and place the bottles directly into the dedicated net or container at the collection point.
- Old paper (古紙) — newspapers, cardboard, magazines — is bundled and tied with string, not bagged. Sort it into its types as the calendar directs.
How do I sort glass bottles and cans?
Glass bottles (びん) are separated into three groups by colour: brown (茶色), colourless/clear (無色), and other colours (その他). Rinse them and put them out as directed at your collection point. Cans (缶) are collected as a recyclable stream as well — rinse and put them out on the right day. Because these are sorted finely, the San-aru app is the quickest way to check which item goes where.
What about non-burnable items, light bulbs and batteries?
Non-burnable garbage is more demanding than most newcomers expect — it is divided into multiple sub-types, each needing the red-lettered bag and correct separation. A few specifics worth knowing:
- Light bulbs and broken glass — wrap in newspaper (to prevent injury) and place in the red-lettered non-burnable bag.
- Spray cans, batteries, and other hazardous items have their own handling rules — check the town guide or San-aru rather than guessing, as these can cause fires in the trucks.
How do I throw away large or oversized items?
Bulky items such as furniture and appliances are oversized garbage (粗大ごみ) and cannot go out with ordinary collection. These usually require a separate arrangement — and certain home appliances (TVs, fridges, washing machines, air conditioners) fall under a national recycling law with its own fees. Contact Karuizawa Town's Environment Division (環境課) to confirm the current procedure before disposing of anything large.
What time and day do I put garbage out?
Put your garbage at the collection point (集積所) between 6:00 AM and 8:30 AM on the correct collection day — and not the night before. This is not just etiquette: Karuizawa is mountain country, and garbage left out early attracts bears, deer, and other wildlife that tear the bags open and scatter the contents. Keeping to the morning window protects your neighbourhood and your bag from being left behind.
How do I find my collection day?
Collection days depend on which district you live in. Karuizawa Town publishes a garbage calendar (ごみ出しカレンダー) for each district on its official website (updated each season), and offers a free app called San-aru (さんあーる) that lets you search how to sort any item and sends reminders on your collection days. For anything unclear, the town's Environment Division, Sanitation Section can be reached at 0267-45-8556.
How ERISA helps
The sorting itself is learnable, but the first few weeks — figuring out which bag, which day, which net, and reading a Japanese-only calendar — are where mistakes happen. ERISA (有限会社えり紗) helps you set up from day one: we identify your district and collection schedule, walk you through the bag system and the trickier categories, help you install and read the San-aru app, and translate the town's garbage guide so you're not guessing. Settle in without your first bag being left on the kerb with a sticker.
New to Karuizawa? Get in touch and we'll help you get your household running smoothly.