Osaka City 大阪市

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A guide for living OSAKA

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://www.ofix.or.jp/life/easy-japanese/guide/pdf/3-1.pdf

3 How to Apply for Public Housing

1 Municipal Housing

Regular applications are accepted annually every February and July (for Newlyweds / Engaged couples, Child-rearing households, Singles, General households), and applications for Parent-Child Residential Proximity, etc. are accepted every November (for Parent-child residential proximity households, 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. Residents who live outside of Osaka City or who work in Osaka City may also be eligible to apply for specific divisions of the Regular and Parent-Child Residential Proximity applications.
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
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

For those who reside in Osaka City (have a residence certificate in Osaka City) and fulfill the requirements are able to apply for Single parent housing, Specifically designed housing or housing with care services for the Senior Citizens, Accessible homes or housing with care services for disabled people and 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

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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, or cash.
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

⑤Waterworks Bureau Customer Center

⑥You can ask about ①, ②, and ③ by phone.

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

<Open Hours>9:00 - 17:30
Closed on Saturday, Sunday and National 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://www.ofix.or.jp/life/easy-japanese/guide/pdf/3-4.pdf

Website:　Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

Contact your local

3 Gas

Essentials for living in Osaka （Gas）.

(Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents)

https://www.ofix.or.jp/life/easy-japanese/guide/pdf/3-5.pdf

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

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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 all bottle caps and dispose of plastic items as Plastic Containers and Packaging, metal items should be disposed of 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 Containers and Packaging
Plastic containers or packaging that were used to contain or wrap products, and have a mark indicating that they are plastic
  • 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
 (Collected Once a Week)
  • Empty the contents and rinse before putting them out for collection.
  • Do not put other garbage together with plastic containers and packaging.
  • 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.
  • Please put out plastic merchandise along with household waste.
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.
  • As much as possible please dispose the dry batteries, fluorescent lamps (tube light bulbs), mercury thermometers, ink cartridges and used small home appliances at the collection boxes of ward offices.
  • Used small home appliances may also be collected the affiliated courier service of Renet Japan Recycle, Inc.
    (Renet Japan Recycle, Inc.) TEL 0570-085-800
  • Personal computers are collected and recycled by the manufacturers. For more details, please contact the manufacturer or the PC3R Promotion Association. (TEL 03-5282-7685)
  • Fluorescent lamps, maternity wear, baby clothes, and children’s clothes are collected free of charge. For details, please contact the Environmental Management Center in charge of your ward.
  • 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 packaging and containers, 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.
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.		 Please call the “Bulky Waste Collection Center” in advance to request collection.
<Toll free>　(TEL)0120-79-0053
<From Mobile phone> 0570-07−0053
<Internet> Application system for Osaka City bulky waste collection (in Japanese)
Mon-Sat (including National Holiday, Closed from December 29th to January 3rd.)　9:00-17:00
※If you have difficulty in hearing or speaking, please apply by sending a 0120-53-4153 or postcard to the Environment Management Center.
  • After confirming service charges with the Bulky Waste Collection Center, please purchase a Bulky Waste Collection Fee Ticket for each item. Tickets can be purchased at convenience stores, supermarkets, or post offices that have signs indicating that this service is available.
  • Please stick the “Bulky Waste Collection Fee Ticket” on each bulky waste item and make sure to put out these items by 8:30 AM on the collection day as requested by the “Bulky Waste Collection Center.”
  • 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).
  • Personal computers should be disposed at the collection boxes of ward offices or collected and recycled by the manufacturers. For recycling details from manufacturers, etc. contact the PC3R Promotion Association (TEL 03-5282-7685) or Renet Japan Recycle, Inc. (TEL 0570-085-800).

※Using transparent or semi-transparent garbage bags is requested in Osaka City to enforce sorted garbage collection and to ensure the safety of operation.(Except for certain cases of old paper)

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

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