## The Biggest Challenge of Vanlife in Japan Japan is incredibly clean, but you will quickly notice a paradox: **there are almost no public trash cans**. For international travelers living in a campervan for a week, managing garbage is often the most frustrating part of the trip. You cannot simply dump your trash in a public park bin. ## The Strict Recycling Rules Japan takes recycling seriously. If you try to throw away unsorted trash, you will be rejected. You must separate your garbage inside your van into at least four categories: 1. **Burnables (Moeru-gomi):** Paper, food waste, tissues. 2. **Plastics (Pura):** Clean plastic packaging, bento boxes (must be rinsed). 3. **PET Bottles:** Plastic drink bottles (caps and labels must be removed and put in the Plastics bin). 4. **Cans and Glass Bottles.** ## Where to Legally Dispose of Trash - **Convenience Stores (Konbini):** 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart usually have bins outside. *However*, it is considered extremely rude (and sometimes illegal) to dump large bags of campervan trash here. You may only throw away the specific wrappers of items you just bought at that store. - **RV Parks and Auto-Campgrounds:** This is your primary disposal method. When you pay for a night at an official RV park or campsite, they will take your sorted trash (sometimes for a small 100-300 JPY fee). - **VanTripJapan Service:** If you rent with us, you can store your sorted trash in the van’s rear compartment and we will legally dispose of it for you upon your return to Fukuoka. Keep your van clean, sort your plastics, and always respect the local disposal rules to ensure tourists are welcomed by the locals.