In Nagoya, the system of garbage sorting and collection is strictly categorized. Specified plastic bags (Burnable refuse, Non-Burnable refuse, & Recyclable Refuse) can be purchased at supermarkets and convenience stores. Pamphlets about the garbage sorting system are available in 5 languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese & Korean) at the 3F Information Service Corner of the Nagoya International Center.

If you live out of town, can’t figure out how to order tickets online, and don’t want to be disappointed when you turn up at the concert without a ticket – with minimum hassle and minimum Japanese skills you can purchase tickets for movies, concerts, exhibitions, and sporting events at your local convenience store.

Large-sized garbage or sodai gomi　粗大ごみ is waste larger than 30 x 30 x 30 cm and if requested can be collected by Nagoya City for a fee. However, the City will not collect PC hard drives, laptops, PC monitors, air conditioners, regular TVs, refrigerators, or washing machines.

For most apartment dwellers the air conditioner’s heating setting becomes the default source of heating. However ,depending upon your needs, style of living, and size of residence an alternative form of heating may suit your better.

Most of Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures are served by Toho Gas. Prices are generally higher in the winter months (December to March) than during the rest of the year. The price per cubic meter of gas is also updated every month to reflect domestic market prices.

A video guide to sorting plastic and paper recycling waste in Nagoya City. Produced by the City of Nagoya.

How much money can you save on your electricity bill? Did you know that the average household in Japan can save up to 7% on their annual electricity bill by simply unplugging electrical appliances when not in use.

Electricity usage is measured in kilowatt-hours. The price of a kWh varies depending upon your payment plan, how much electric you consume, and the size of service breaker in your home’s fuse box.

Is your TV set up to receive digital broadcasts? Current analogue broadcasts in Japan will be discontinued after July 24, 2011.

Keeping pets (excluding a guide dog) in a city, prefectural or public corporation apartment is prohibited. Also, the contracts for many privately owned apartments prohibit renters from keeping pets. Before signing the contract, confirm if you are allowed to keep a pet in your apartment.

In the first 6 months of 2010 there were on average over 100 reported cases of bag snatching each month. If a robber takes your bag it does not automatically mean that they are just after your cash – the loss of cash cards, credit cards, driving licenses, cell phones, and keys makes you vulnerable to identity theft, and break-ins, and will cause you a lot of cost & hassle to replace lost items.

Three changes to Nagoya City garbage collection will come into effect from Friday, April 1.

Is your TV set up to receive digital broadcasts? Current analogue broadcasts in Japan will be discontinued after July 24, 2011 and if your TV is not set up to receive digital broadcasts then you need to take action.

TweetIf you live in an apartment in the middle of the City growing a garden on a small balcony offers different challenges to a regular backyard but you can still enjoy the wonders of gardening, create a little bit more privacy, and amaze yourself with your own home-grown vegetables. If the weather turns bad, either [...]

Tweet Can you help me?  Q: Can you give me any moving advice?    A: Completing your contract? Finishing your study course? Or just packing your bags and moving on to pastures new? Everyone does it sometime – but moving whilst in a foreign country always has its little surprises.   If you are planning [...]

Tweet Can you help me? Q: My company advised me to get an inkan. Tell me what I should know. 　 A:  In Japan inkans are commonly used instead of a personal signature. Inkans can be abused if lost or stolen, so you should keep them safe and treat them as if they were credit [...]

Tweet Can you help me? 　 Q: I heard that I need to install a smoke alarm in my apartment. Can you tell me more? 　 A: Due to a gradual increase in the number of house fire deaths, especially amongst the elderly, the Fire Defence Law was revised with the aim of having a [...]

Tweet There are several English Language newspapers available in Japan and single issues are usually available at kiosks at major railway stations and English bookstores. However, if you live out in the suburbs or off the beaten track, buying a daily paper at one of these places is not an option. On the other hand, [...]

Tweet Are you new to Nagoya? Wondering where you can buy those groceries you crave for and other stuff from home? Or are you just looking to spice up your life with different ethnic foods? The following stores may help you find what you’re looking for. Sometimes one has a craving for snacks or familiar [...]

Tweet Can you help me? ■Q: Apart from using your own carry-home shopping bag instead of plastic carrier bags, what else can I do to reduce my carbon footprint? ■ A: Below are 9 actions that YOU can do at home. Each person in Japan produces around 6kg of carbon dioxide emissions a day. How [...]

Tweet Can you help me? Q: What is the best way to send money overseas? 　 A:  There are 3 accepted safe methods.   ■ By Postal remittance For more information see the Japan Post website. Remittances can be made either an address or to an account (postal giro  or bank account). Fixed handling fees of [...]

Tweet ★Are You Tuned In?　地上デジタル放送 Nationwide terrestrial digital TV broadcasting (chijo-dejitaru-housou地上デジタル放送) began in December 2006. Digital broadcasting areas are being gradually expanded to more rural and remote areas of the country. Current analogue broadcasts will be discontinued after July 24, 2011. Some televisions are compatible for digital TV and some are not. If you do [...]

Tweet Can you help me? Q: I heard from a friend that you can cook pasta in a rice cooker. What’s a rice cooker and how do you use one?   A: Rice Cookers, known as suihanki 炊飯器, – are for cooking rice in right? Yes, but you may be surprised to know that you [...]

Tweet Can you help me? Q: How do I know if a product I buy at the supermarket is environmentally friendly? A: Ever tried to buy environmentally friendly products or tried to make a conscious effort to sort your garbage, but have been prevented to do so by the language barrier? There are several symbols [...]

I want to bring my dog with me to Japan. Do you have any advice?

Tweet Can you help me? Q: When I bought my new cellular phone, I did not notice at that time, but there was a provision in the small print that read, “If the network connection contract is cancelled within 185 days, payment of a 50,000 Yen is required.” Four months after I bought the phone, [...]

What are my internet options? How much does it cost to set up? How about monthly charges?

If you have just moved in and haven’t yet figured out what each button does on a certain electrical appliances, then why not print out of these printer-friendly bilingual button guides to help you?

If you are new to living in Japan, have recently moved, or are planning to move in the near future, and want mail that is addressed to you delivered without a hitch – you should notify the post office about your new address.

If you want to dispose of an old TV, air conditioner, refrigerator, clothes dryers, liquid crystal or plasma display television, or washing machine you cannot simply disposed the item through your local city’s garbage collection service. Under the Home Appliances Recycling Law, these items must be recycled through the manufacturer.

The growth of mould is caused by high temperatures and humidity. Specifically, temperatures of 15℃ or higher and humidity levels of 75% and above – conditions found in Japan especially during the long, hot summer months.

Are you living in a domestically violent or abusive home? Are you being beaten? Are you living in fear from your partner? Do you always feel guilty and helpless? If your answer is yes to any of these questions there are people and organizations that can help.

Let’s say your friend sublets an apartment to you but you begin to think about leaving because of a worsening environment. You paid your friend the guarantor money instead of paying directly to the landlord, so in this kind of situation what legal rights do you have?

Consequences that can result from failure to pay condominium management fees