1. Garbage

Each neighbourhood or municipality has its own differing garbage rules and collection times so it’s important to check the information from your municipality and stick to it, you can learn more here. Each apartment/house also has its own designated spot to leave garbage, so make sure you check when you rent the apartment and only place your garbage there at the designated times.

Another thing to bear in mind is that you can't pour oil, fat or other food matter down the sink as it clogs drains and is a pollutant. You must dispose of it in the burnable garbage.

2. Keeping the noise level down

Apartments here aren’t well insulated against noise, so if you live in an apartment complex or have neighbours it’s imperative that you are conscious of how much noise you’re making. Avoid loud phone conversations, playing musical instruments, listening to the tv or music too loudly and slamming doors. Frequent noise complaints from your neighbours could result in your eviction.

3. Using the bath and toilet

Make sure to only flush toilet paper down the toilet. Sanitary items cannot be flushed and must be binned. Ensure you regularly clean your drains and remove built up hair otherwise you could end up causing blockages and potentially damage to other residents apartments of which you’d have to pay for the damages.

4. Common areas and spaces

Areas outside your apartment such as hallways and staircases are common areas and it’s forbidden to store your personal items in them as it can be a nuisance and also dangerous.

5. Parking

Some apartments come with spaces for parking bicycles, however if you own a car you will need to rent a car parking space separately as roadside parking is illegal in Japan.