For Comfortable Living

Finding Housing

1 Counseling on Housing

Osaka Municipal Housing Information Center provides face-to-face and telephone consultation on purchasing and renting housing and Osaka’s housing policies.

Counseling on Housing (Information Service Counter)

Osaka Municipal Housing Information Center 4F(Housing Information Plaza)

6-4-20 Tenjimbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka
(TEL)06-6242-1177
(FAX)06-6354-8601
Weekdays/Saturday 9:00 - 19:00　Sunday/National Holidays 10:00 - 17:00
(Closed on Tuesdays (when it is a holiday, closed the following day), days after holidays (open if the day after the holiday happens to be Sunday or Monday), and year-end and New Year holidays)
※ Support in English, Chinese, and Korean is available via a simplified interpretation telephone service. 10:00 - 17:00

Osaka Municipal Housing Information Center.

https://www.osaka-angenet.jp/

2 Basic information about Renting Housing

See the Essentials for living in Osaka (Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents).

https://ofix.or.jp/life-english/

3 How to Apply for Public Housing

1 Municipal Housing

Regular applications are accepted annually every February and July (young married couple, Child-rearing households, Singles, General households), and applications for Parent-Child Residential Proximity, etc. are accepted every November (for Parent-child residential proximity households, young married couple, Child-rearing households, General households, Singles).
Applicants must meet the following criteria: be in need of housing, be a resident of Osaka City (have an Osaka City resident certificate), and have a monthly income of less than a certain amount. For details, please refer to the application guidelines leaflet distributed at the time of application.
There are also some housing units available for applicants whose workplace is located in Osaka City.
Furthermore, applications for middle-income housing and public housing that has not yet reached the maximum number of applicants are accepted at any time. The city's website has the timetable and requirements for each category (URL below).

https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/toshiseibi/page/0000370824.html

Places where application forms are distributed

Housing Information Plaza at the Osaka Municipal Housing Information Center 4F
Housing Management Centers
Osaka City Service Counters
Ward office・Ward branch offices (Excluding additional applications)

Inquiries

Osaka Municipal Housing Application Center

Osaka Municipal Housing Information Center 5F, 6-4-20 Tenjimbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka
(TEL)06-6882-7024　(FAX)06-6882-7051

2 Applications of Municipal Housing for Single Parent Families, Elderly Persons, and Families that have Persons with Disabilities

Those who reside in Osaka City (have a residence certificate registered in Osaka City) and meet the requirements are able to apply for single-parent housing, senior housing, specially designed housing for seniors, senior housing with monitoring services, housing for people with disabilities, specially designed housing for wheelchair users, housing for people with disabilities with monitoring services, and monitored housing for regular wheelchair users. Applications are accepted every year in early May.

Application Forms and Inquiries

Public Health and Welfare Center in each ward

Contact Information

Housing for single parent families (fatherless or motherless families)
- Family Support Department Children and Youth Bureau
- TEL 06−6208−8035
Housing for the elderly
- Osaka City Bureau of Social Welfare and Community-based Integrated Care Division
- TEL 06−6208−8060
Housing for handicapped persons
- Welfare for Persons with Disabilities Department Social Welfare Bureau
- TEL 06−6208−8081

4 Housing Assistance and Related Programs

1 Housing Loan and Interest Assistance for Households with a Child

Newlyweds or child-rearing households who purchase private condominiums or detached houses in Osaka City for the first time with a mortgage loan from a private financial institution will have some of the interest on the mortgage loan subsidized. Certain conditions must be met for application. For further information, please make an inquiry to the following.

Inquiries

Urban Redevelopment and Housing Bureau

Housing Information Center 4F 6-4-20 Tenjimbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka
(TEL)06-6356-0805　(Weekday 9:00 - 17:30)
(FAX)06-6356-0808

5 Rules for residential living

Japanese people are generally aware that making loud noises or speaking loudly is inconsiderate to others.

Please be careful to avoid loud noises such as loud voices, parties, and high TV or music volume, so as not to bother your neighbors.
Avoid making loud noises early in the morning, such as doing laundry, vacuuming, or showering.
In apartment buildings and other multi-unit housing, be especially careful not to make loud noises or raise your voice.

page top

Application for Utilities and Other Services

(1)-1 Water

You can drink tap water in Osaka City as-is.

①To start using water

When you move, you’ll have to complete a procedure in order to use water.
https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/suido/page/0000540683.html

②How to pay your water bill

You can pay for the water you use by bank account debit, credit card, by smartphone or by cash using the billing slip.
https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/suido/page/0000540688.html

③To stop using water

When you move, you’ll have to complete a procedure to stop water service at your old address.
https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/suido/page/0000539766.html

④If there’s a water leak in your home

https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/suido/page/0000540694.html

[Contact] Waterworks Bureau Customer Center

TEL	06-6458-1132
FAX	06-6458-2100
Website	Waterworks Bureau Customer Center
Service Hours	Weekday (Monday - Friday):8:00 - 20:00
	Saturday : 9:00 - 17:00
	Dec.29 to Dec.30:9:00-17:00
	Sundays・Holidays: Only March and April: 9:00 - 17:00

*Customer Center is closed on the year-end and New Year holidays (December 31 through January 3).
*English-speaking operators are available.

(1)-2 Sewer service

Sewerage utilities (which accommodate primarily rainwater and sewage from households and other users in the city) are built, maintained, and managed by the Osaka City Public Works Bureau.
Osaka City Public Works Bureau

①If a sewerage pipe has become clogged

Please contact Clearwater Osaka Corporation’s Pipeline Management Center.
Clearwater Osaka is a company that performs contract work for the Public Works Bureau.

②Pipeline Management Center

Inquiries on clogged sewerage pipes and maintenance for public sewerage
<Hours>9:00-17:30 (excluding the After Hours Contact Center) (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and Year-end/New Year holidays)

Pipeline Management Center
Name	Tel. /Address	Competent authorities
Clearwater OSAKA Corporation Nakahama Pipeline Management Center	TEL 06-6969-5843 1-17-10 Nakahama, Joto-ku (In the Public Works Bureau Eastern District Management Office)	Miyakojima-ku, Asahi-ku, Joto-ku, Tsurumi-ku
Clearwater OSAKA Corporation Tajima Pipeline Management Center	TEL 06-6751-5048 1-17-13 Tajima, Ikuno-ku (In the Public Works Bureau Tajima Construction and Management Office)	Tennoji-ku, Higashinari-ku, Ikuno-ku
Clearwater OSAKA Corporation Tsumori Pipeline Management Center	TEL 06-6567-6516 2-7-13 Tsumori, Nishinari-ku (In the Public Works Bureau Western District Management Office)	Taisho-ku, Naniwa-ku, Nishinari-ku
Clearwater OSAKA Corporation Ichioka Pipeline Management Center	TEL 06-6576-0700 2-15-74 Ichioka, Minato-ku (In the Public Works Bureau Ichioka Construction and Management Office)	Chuo-ku, Nishi-ku, Minato-ku
Clearwater OSAKA Corporation Suminoe Pipeline Management Center	TEL 06-6686-1909 1-1-189 Izumi, Suminoe-ku (In the Public Works Bureau Southern District Management Office)	Suminoe-ku, Sumiyoshi-ku
Clearwater OSAKA Corporation Hirano Pipeline Management Center	TEL 06-6705-0342 1-4-29 Hiranonishi, Hirano-ku (In the Public Works Bureau Hirano Construction and Management Office)	Abeno-ku, Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Hirano-ku
Clearwater OSAKA Corporation Ebie Pipeline Management Center	TEL 06-6462-3919 1-2-47 Takami, Konohana-ku (In the Public Works Bureau Northern District Management Office)	Kita-ku, Fukushima-ku, Konohana-ku, Nishiyodogawa-ku
Clearwater OSAKA Corporation Juso Pipeline Management Center	TEL 06-6306-1734 2-8-41 Nonaka-minami, Yodogawa-ku (In the Public Works Bureau Juso Construction and Management Office)	Yodogawa-ku, Higashiyodogawa-ku
24-hour Center	In the event that the sewerage system requires emergency repair on holidays or at night. TEL 06-6947-7981	All areas

2 Electricity

Essentials for living in Osaka （Electricity）. (Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents)

https://ofix.or.jp/life-english/

Website: Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

Contact your local

3 Gas

Essentials for living in Osaka （Gas）.

(Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents)

https://ofix.or.jp/life-english/

Osaka Gas Customer Service Center

<Business Hours>
Monday - Saturday: 9:00 - 19:00
Sunday/National Holidays: 9:00 - 17:00
(TEL)0120-0-94817
Website: Osaka Gas Customer Service Center

page top

Waste and Recycling Collection

1 Separation & Collection of Waste

Items to be collected	Collection Schedule & Notes for Collection
(Cans) Empty metal cans for drinking water, food items, or daily necessities, etc. that are less than 18-liters (Bottles) Empty glass bottles used for beverages, foodstuffs, daily necessities, cosmetics, etc. with a volume smaller than 1.8 liters (Metal house wares) Household goods made of metal, such as pots and pans, ashtrays, and tinfoil, with a diameter or longest side less than 30 cm, or a length within 1 m for sticks or pole-shaped items. Does not include enameled items. (PET bottles) Plastic bottles for soy sauce, drinks, or alcohol, etc. of which the label has a mark indicating that it can be recycled as a PET bottle ※In-store collection is also available at supermarkets. (Spray cans, cassette cylinders) Except for spray paint products (lacquer, etc.)	(Collected Once a Week) Remove the caps from empty glass and PET bottles, and dispose of plastic ones as Plastic Recyclables and metal ones as Recyclable Waste. Empty all cans and bottles and rinse them with water. When disposing of recyclable garbage, please combine empty cans, bottles, PET bottles, etc. into a transparent garbage bag and dispose the garbage at least 2 hours before the collection time of the designated day notified in the "Osaka City Garbage Collection Map". Please dispose the garbage by 8:30 a.m. if uncertain about the collection time in your area. The contents of spray cans and cassette cylinders must be used up without drilling a hole, and put them into a bag separately from empty cans, empty bottles, pet bottles etc. (Items that cannot be collected as Recyclable Waste) Glass products such as cups, sheet glass and light bulbs, and sharp-edged products, such as knives, scissors and awls Crockery and enameled products Wire-shaped metal such as iron wire and copper wire.Heavy goods made of metals, such as iron dumbbells Please dispose the above items as Household Waste. Fluorescent lighting tubes are collected at your residence. Please contact the Environmental Affairs Center in your ward. Bottles containing harmful chemicals or paint. (Please consult with the retailer or manufacturer.) Metal housewares over 30 cm in side or diameter and a stick over 1m (Please dispose them as bulky waste.) Please consult with stores or manufacturers regarding disposal of cans and bottles that contain toxic chemicals, paints, etc.
<Plastic Recyclables> Applies to plastic containers and packaging and products made from 100% plastic materials Plastic bottles (except for PET bottles for soy sauce and beverages that are collected as recyclable waste) Plastic trays(plate-type containers) Plastic tubes Plastic cups and packages Plastic bags and wrappers Plastic containers, spoons, forks, straws, etc. Plastic stationery, toys, etc.	(Collected Once a Week) Empty the contents and rinse before putting them out for collection. “Plastic containers and packaging” are plastic containers or packaging that were used to contain or wrap products and which have a mark () indicating that they are plastic Make sure plastic containers and packaging are put in a see-through garbage bag, and put out garbage before the collection time (about 2 hours in advance) on the collection day as stated on the “Osaka City Garbage Collection Map.” If you do not know the collection time in your area, please put out garbage by 8:30 AM. Dispose of items that cannot be cleaned or that have not been emptied of their contents as regular garbage. Foam trays should be put out for collection at supermarkets. Items that contain materials other than plastic (such as metal) should be disposed of as regular garbage. Plastic string, bands, etc., that are over 30 cm long should be disposed of as regular garbage. Plastic cutting boards and other items that are over 5 mm thick should be disposed of as regular garbage.
Used Paper / Used Cloth Newspaper / leaflet inserts Cardboard Paper cartons Things that have a mark indicating that they are a paper carton Books/Magazines Weekly magazines, specialized magazines, manga, books, catalogs, textbooks, pamphlets, dictionaries, etc. Other Paper Paper boxes for confectionery, paper bags, direct mail, wrapping paper, memo paper, postcards, envelopes, shredded paper, copy paper,etc. Used Clothes Jackets, shirts, trousers, sweaters, skirts, jeans, coats, etc.	(Collected Once a Week) Separate accordingly into the 6 subject items, and put out garbage before the collection time (about 2 hours in advance) on the collection day as stated on the “Osaka City Garbage Collection Map.” If you do not know the collection time in your area, please put out garbage by 8:30 AM. Collection will be made even on rainy days. Newspapers and related trash should be bundled and tied with string and placed in transparent or semi-transparent bags distributed at newspaper stands and kiosks. For cardboard, please remove all forms of tape and paper, flatten it, pack it in bundles of up to 10 pieces of cardboard, and tie it with string. Paper boxes and packs should be rinsed with water, cut open, dried, and then bundled and tied with string or placed in transparent plastic bags. Bundle and tie magazines together in a quantity that can be lifted with one hand. Other paper articles should be bundled and tied with string and placed in transparent plastic bags. Clothes should be washed, dried and placed in transparent plastic bags. (Waste uncollectible as old paper or clothes) Dirty items Cardboard containing aluminum or wax components. Paper cartons with aluminum inner wrapping. Other items that do not have a mark indicating that they are a paper carton Magazines non-paper components Other Paper Paper that has been soiled by grease or food, disposable diapers, sanitary paper such as tissues, waterproof paper (paper cups, cup-noodle containers, containers for ice cream or yogurt, etc.), paper with an odor (paper boxes for detergent or incense, wrapping paper for soap, etc.), crimped postcards, photographs, paper for photograph prints, carbon paper, non-carbon paper (parcel service copy slips, etc.), thermal paper (FAX paper, receipts, etc.), wrapping foil, printed paper (paper for iron prints, etc.), thermal foaming coated paper (paper used for Braille, etc. that puffs up when heat is applied) Clothing Please dispose of the following as ordinary trash: Work uniforms, leather clothing, things made of vinyl, down jackets, things filled with cotton, things that are heavily soiled or damaged, things other than clothes (towels, sheets, curtains, etc.) If you will dispose of used paper or clothes in a large amount at one time due to moving to a different residence or doing major housecleaning, etc., please ask a recyclable service company for collection.
Household Waste In addition to kitchen trash and porcelain or ceramics, etc., trash of which the largest side or diameter is 30cm or less, or stick-shapes that are 1m or less, and that are not items subject to separate collection	(Collected Twice a Week) Put out your garbage before the collection time (about 2 hours in advance) on the collection day as stated on the “Osaka City Garbage Collection Map.” If you do not know the collection time in your area, please put out garbage by 8:30 AM. Please use see-through trash bags. Please keep trash bags at a weight that can be picked up with one hand and close the opening tightly before disposing them. Please thoroughly drain excess liquid from kitchen or food waste. For cooking oil, please soak it up with paper or cloth, or solidify it, and then dispose of it. For skewers, pieces of glass, and scissor blades, etc., please wrap them in thick paper/cardboard, and then put them in a bag, make an indication on the bag that it is “Kiken” (dangerous), and then dispose of them. Make sure that matches, fireworks and lighters are completely used up and extinguished before disposal. The contents of spray cans and cassette cylinders must be used up without drilling a hole, and put them into a separate bag, then put out on the recyclable garbage collection day. Please clean excrement from disposable diapers and place them in a plastic bag to prevent odors from leaking out. For trash that will be disposed of in a large amount at one time due to moving to a different residence or doing major housecleaning, etc., please dispose of it as “Bulky Waste.” In the event that trash has been mixed with recyclable trash, plastic recyclables, or used paper and clothes, or in the event that trash has been put out in something other than a see-through trash bag, a notification sticker will be placed on the bag and it will not be collected.
Dry cell batteries Fluorescent light tubes, mercury thermometers, ink cartridges Used small home appliances	Bring to the collection box at your ward office or other designated locations (hub collection) Bring to the collection box at an Environmental Business Center (reception collection) Dry cell batteries are limited to alkaline or manganese batteries. (Button cells cannot be collected) Used small appliances can also be collected from your home using a delivery service provided by ReNet Japan Recycle Inc., with whom Osaka has an agreement.((TEL)0570-085-800) Computer manufacturers are involved in the collection and recycling of used computers. For more information, please contact the manufacturer or the PC3R Promotion Association ((TEL)03-5282-7685)
Maternity wear, baby clothes, children's clothes, picture books Mercury thermometers Small rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries Mobile phone batteries Heated tobacco products	Either give to a staff member at the reception desk of an Environmental Business Center or bring to a collection box at an Environmental Business Center (reception collection) Please hand over maternity wear, baby clothes, children's clothes, picture books, swollen or deformed lithium-ion batteries, etc., to staff at an Environmental Business Center reception desk. Please wash maternity wear, baby clothes, and children's clothes before bringing them for collection. Please place mercury thermometers, lithium-ion batteries, etc. (as long as they are not swollen or deformed) in the collection boxes installed at Environmental Business Centers. For small rechargeable batteries and mobile phone batteries, insulate the metal terminals and lead wires with vinyl tape. Please place heated tobacco products in the collection box for items like lithium-ion batteries. If you would like to have maternity wear, baby clothes, children's clothes, fluorescent light tubes, lithium-ion batteries, etc., collected (by a collection service), please contact the Environmental Business Center in your ward.
Bulky Waste (Removal fees apply) Trash of which the largest side or diameter exceeds 30 cm, or stick-shapes that exceed 1 m, or trash that will be disposed of in a large amount at one time due to moving to a different residence or doing major housecleaning, etc.	Apply in advance via the internet, chatbot, phone, fax, or postcard. By phone (Bulky Waste Collection Call Center) <Toll free> (TEL)0120-79-0053 <From Mobile phone> 06-6530-1530 Mon-Sat (including National Holiday, Closed from December 29th to January 3rd.)　9:00-17:00 ※If you have difficulty hearing or speaking, please call 0120-53-4153 or contact the Environment Management Center by postcard. After confirming the service fee with the Bulky Waste Collection Center by phone, please purchase a Bulky Waste Collection Ticket for each item. Tickets can be purchased at convenience stores, supermarkets, and other outlets that display signs indicating that this service is available. ※If you apply online, you may choose a cashless payment option for the bulky waste disposal fee. By 8:30 a.m. on the collection day, affix the appropriate fee ticket to each item. If you paid by cashless payment, write the receipt or confirmation number on a piece of paper, attach it securely to the item, and place the item out for collection. Flammable or explosive waste such as fire extinguishers, gas cylinders, waste kerosene oil, minibikes, motorcycles, harmful chemicals, paint, batteries are not collectable. With regards to the disposal of the above, please consult the retailer or companies concerned for collection. Air conditioners, televisions, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, and clothes dryers are not collected as bulky waste. Please ask a retailer to collect them. If you’re not purchasing a replacement appliance and don’t know where the appliance you wish to dispose of was purchased, check the manufacturer specifications for the appliance; fill in the required information on the Household Appliance Recycling Card, which you can find at a post office; and pay the recycling fee. If you’re able to transport the appliance yourself, take it along with the Household Appliance Recycling Card to the designated transfer site. If you’re not able to transport the appliance yourself, ask a business that’s been licensed by Osaka City to collect and transport general municipal waste to transport it for you. For more information about Household Appliance Recycling Cards and designated transfer sites, please contact the Household Waste Reduction Section of the Environment Bureau (Tel: 06-6630-3259).

※In Osaka City, the use of transparent or semi-transparent garbage bags is required to ensure proper waste separation and safe collection operations (with certain exceptions, such as old paper).
※Do not dispose of garbage in locations other than designated collection points.Disposing of garbage outside designated locations may result in criminal penalties.Please follow Osaka City's rules and guidelines when disposing of garbage.

2 Inquiries regarding Waste

Environment Management Center (Monday – Saturday, 8:00 – 16:30)
Name	Tel. / Address (nearest station)	Government Authorities
Tohoku	1-2-20 Kamishinjo, Higashiyodogawa-ku (Osaka City Bus: Higashiyodogawa Yubinkyoku-mae) (TEL)06-6323-3511 (FAX)06-6370-3951	Kita-ku, Miyakojima-ku, Yodogawa-ku, Higashiyodogawa-ku
Shirokita	2-11-1 Yakeno, Tsurumi-ku (Osaka Metro: Tsurumiryokuchi sta.) (TEL)06-6913-3960 (FAX)06-6913-3674	Asahi-ku, Joto-ku, Tsurumi-ku
Seihoku	2-5-66 Owada, Nishiyodogawa-ku (Hanshin: Fuku sta.) (TEL)06-6477-1621 (FAX)06-6477-4602	Fukushima-ku, Konohana-ku, Nishiyodogawa-ku
Chubu	1-6-28 Kumata, Higashisumiyoshi-ku (JR: TobuShijomae sta.) (TEL)06-6714-6411 (FAX)06-6714-7787	Tennoji-ku, Higashisumiyoshi-ku
Chubu Branch Office	2-1-1 Shiokusa, Naniwa-ku (Osaka Metro: Daikokucho sta. / JR: Ashiharabashi sta.) (TEL)06-6567-0750 (FAX)06-6567-0721	Chuo-ku, Naniwa-ku
Seibu	1-20-29 Kobayashi-nishi, Taisho-ku (Osaka City Bus: Kobayashi) (TEL)06-6552-0901 (FAX)06-6552-1130	Nishi-ku, Minato-ku, Taisho-ku
Tobu	1-1-4 Tatsuminaka, Ikuno-ku (Osaka Metro: Kitatatsumi sta.) (TEL)06-6751-5311 (FAX)06-6753-3041	Higashinari-ku, Ikuno-ku
Seinan	1-1-111 Izumi, Suminoe-ku (Osaka Metro: Suminoekoen sta.) (TEL)06-6685-1271 (FAX)06-6685-1282	Sumiyoshi-ku, Suminoe-ku
Nambu	5-5-26 Minamitsumori, Nishinari-ku (Osaka Metro: Kitakagaya sta.) (TEL)06-6661-5450 (FAX)06-6653-7849	Abeno-ku, Nishinari-ku
Tonan	(TEL)06-6700-1750 (FAX)06-6706-2007 1-3-40 Uriwariminami, Hirano-ku (Osaka City Bus: Uriwari-minami)	Hirano-ku

page top

Rules for going out

(1) Smoking

In Osaka City, smoking is prohibited on streets, in parks, and in other public areas.
Violators are subject to a 1,000-yen fine.
For information on designated smoking areas in Osaka City, please see here.

https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/kankyo/page/0000607135.html

(2) Littering

In Osaka City, littering, such as discarding empty cans or paper waste, is prohibited.

(3) Public bathhouses - Onsen/Sento

Rules for going out (Public bathhouses - Onsen/Sento)

Public bathhouses such as onsen and sento are used by many people; please follow these rules:

Wash your body thoroughly before entering the bath.
Do not put towels into the bath.
Do not use soap or shampoo in the bath to wash your body or hair in the bath.
People with tattoos may be denied entry.

page top