Carrying Trash Home (ゴミの持ち帰り - Gomi mochikaeri)
The gold standard rule of Japanese society: 'Carry your own garbage back to your home or hotel'. Due to counter-terrorism measures and sanitation control, public garbage bins are almost non-existent on Japanese city streets.
Following the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, trash bins were removed from stations and public streets nationwide for security. Worshippers adapted to taking personal responsibility for their own waste.
Always pack a small plastic bag in your backpack before heading out for sightseeing. Place all your snack wrappers, tissues, and personal waste inside, and discard them in your hotel room's sorted trash bins.
Why are there almost no public trash cans on Japanese streets, and what should you do?