The Essential Guide to Zero Waste Living in Japan

Hello :) Here’s a list of eco-friendly businesses, apps, ideas and resources to help you kickstart your Zero Waste lifestyle in Japan!

The authors have no affiliate marketing or sales agreement with any of the below apps, services or organisations - this is just a friendly list for your reference.

Please use these at your own risk and - most importantly - enjoy your Zero Waste life!

A Few Things Before We Get Started…

  • We’ve listed some useful shops, apps, resources and services below - but remember that only buying what is necessary is at the heart of Zero Waste living!

  • Buying things that are already in the world is always more sustainable than buying something new; consider buying clothing, books, and gadgets second-hand from stores or apps listed below.

  • Remember to share your new habits with your friends to amplify the impact, and consider joining Zero Waste-themed events to find like-minded people!

Zero Waste-friendly Shops: Apps & Web Platforms 


There are a few platforms in Japan connecting people to zero waste, bulk, and eco-friendly stores nationwide. See their maps for stores near you where you can buy Zero Waste groceries and other products too!

Zero Waste-friendly Apps & Platforms

  • mymizu: free smartphone app enabling users to refill reusable bottles at over 200,000 locations around the world & say goodbye to plastic bottles!
    https://www.mymizu.co/

  • Zero PC: Hiring refugees in Japan to upcycle used Laptops and PCs, diverting e-waste and providing affordable laptops to consumers.
    https://zeropc.jp/

  • Tabete: Connecting food that is about to expire with people across Japan!
    https://tabete.me/

  • Jimoty: a site much like Craigslist where users list items to sell or give away.
    https://jmty.jp/

Compost Services

  • LFC Compost: Portable compost kit designed to fit into urban homes, making it easier for city-dwellers to achieve a zero-waste lifestyle
    https://lfc-compost.jp/

Household Products

A few tips for Zero Waste living at home:

  • Instead of plastic wrap, try using beeswax wrap

  • Instead of PET bottles full of soda water, try a soda makers (Soda Stream / Aarke)

  • Instead of PET bottles full of water, get a water filter (e.g. Cleansui, Brita) or install a water server (e.g. Meisui, Water Stand).

  • Instead of single-use food storage, try “Stasher Bags” or a similar product

  • Try an all-natural washing-up liquid, and even make your own cleaning products at home with ingredients like vinegar and baking soda!

  • Consider a biodegradable scrubber to wash dishes with, instead of plastic-based (e.g. Loofah)!

  • Try using soap nuts to wash your clothes.

  • Buy toilet paper made from recycled paper. Also, the wrapping and roll are recyclable!

  • Tea bags are often lined with plastic, so choose loose-leaf tea when you can!

  • When you buy items in glass jars, save those jars and reuse them. You can use them at the bulk shop or for food storage.

  • If you’re buying cartons of milk, consider making your own plant-based milk! It’s cheaper and relatively easy, and a great way to avoid plastic.

  • Avoid single-use foil by using glass dishes.

On The Go

  • Don’t forget your reusable bottles (e.g. mymizu bottle / MIIR bottle)

  • Keep your coffee stored in a reusable mug (e.g. Stojo / Keep Cup), and get a discount from many stores too!

  • Try reusable bags or furoshiki, instead of single-use bags.

  • Instead of single-use chopsticks, try “My Hashi”, or resuable chopsticks

  • Instead of plastic straws, try steel straws (like from No Plastic Japan)

 Beauty/Skin/Health Care

  • LUSH Japan has many package-less shampoo and soap options

  • Instead of a plastic toothbrush, try a bamboo Toothbrush: https://miyo-organic.com/

  • Try Zero Waste Razors or Shavers

Zero Waste-Friendly Online Stores 

Highlights: Bulk & Zero Waste Store

  • Nue by Totoya (Tokyo)
    Zerowaste shop in Kokubunji. The store offers a range of fair-trade, organic and Zero Waste products, including nuts, dried fruits, pasta, grains, dry lentils, chickpeas, cookies, chocolate, tea, and herbs. Everything is sold by weight and you can buy jars there if you don’t have your own container. https://www.nuebytotoya.com/

  • Zero Waste Market Totoya (Kyoto)
    Japan’s first Zero Waste supermarket opened in Kyoto in 2021! The store offers fresh vegetables, beans, nuts, flour, pasta and noodles, seasonings, cleaning products, personal care products, wine and other things too!
    https://www.instagram.com/totoya_kyoto/

  • Ecostore Papalagi (Kanagawa)
    Plastic-free, environmentally friendly store in Kanagawa! Run by divers who are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about the oceans and environment - the store also hosts events and workshops about sustainability.
    https://ecostorepapalagi.com/

  • Bio C’ Bon (Tokyo & Kanagawa)
    French organic supermarket that has been in Japan since 2016, with 20+ stores across Tokyo and Kanagawa. It is not strictly a Zero Waste supermarket, but it focuses on bio and organic products, and provides many products in bulk, such as nuts, dried fruits, chocolate, cacao nibs, cereals, and granola with paper bags or bring your own container.
    https://www.bio-c-bon.jp/

Bonus Ideas

  • Look out for Fleamarkets, “Clothing Swaps” and other events happening in your area! This can be a great day out with friends or family, and can connect you to interesting people too (e.g. 530 - or “Go-mi-Zero” - week in May each year).

  • Consider a plant-based diet! Your individual water and carbon footprints decline significantly when you eat a plant-based diet, and Japan is the perfect place to cook vegetarian-friendly dishes (e.g. Buddhist Shojin Ryori). Sounds too hard? Try “Meat-free Monday” once a week to begin with.

  • Switch your home to renewable energy via companies like みんな電力! It can take as little as five minutes and can make a major impact.

my mizu