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Rules for Living

How to Dispose of Garbage and Recyclables

In Japan, there are strict rules for throwing away garbage.

When you take out garbage…

・Separate by type
(e.g.) Burnable waste, non-burnable waste, plastic containers and packaging, recyclable garbage (glass bottles, cans, PET bottles, used paper, etc.), bulk waste, etc.

・Place waste in transparent or semi-transparent bags (Depending on your municipality, you may have to use a designated paid bag.)

・Take out your trash at the location, day, and time specified for your area.

For waste collection dates, please check the “Recycle and Wastes Calendar” distributed by the municipality office. Garbage put out on days other than the collection day or after the collection time will not be collected, even if it is sorted, and in many cases will cause problems with your neighbors.

The Iwate University International Exchange’s YouTube video (below) gives you easy-to-understand instructions on how to dispose of garbage.

• How to separate trash (video) in Morioka city

Keeping Your Rooms Clean

Japan has high humidity. Condensation forms easily especially during the rainy season and winter, so if you don’t ventilate your room or wipe it off frequently, it could cause mold. 

Please check the webpage below for other manners and customs related to daily life in Japan.

• Daily rules and customs (Immigration Services Agency webpage)

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Medical Care / Hospitals 

Iwate University Health Care Center

Iwate University Health Care Center doctors and nursing staff are available to students and staff for health-related consultations. They can provide referrals to medical institutions as needed.

Place: Student Center (Building A) 1st floor
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00 (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)

• Iwate University Health Care Center

Local Hospitals

In Progress

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Learn Japanese (Japanese language education program for foreign researchers)

International researchers belonging to Iwate University are eligible to take part of the university’s Japanese language program for international students. However, please note that you may not be able to take the course if you start much later (than April or October) or if there are too many international students taking the course.

• Japanese Language Program Information

There are also local volunteer groups that offer Japanese language classes. If you wish to take such classes, please contact the respective group directly. For information on such volunteer groups, check This Page or contact the Iwate University International Office.

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Transportation / Public Transportation

Riding a Bicycle in Japan

• Important Points about Daily Life – Riding a Bicycle in Japan
• Five Rules for safe use of bicycle（National Police Agency of Japan website）

Driving a Car in Japan

＜Driver’s License＞

If you want to drive a car in Japan, you must have one of the following licenses.

１．Japanese driver’s license

２．International driver’s permit issued based on the Geneva Convention

３．Driver’s license (*1) (*2)

(*1) Driver’s license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan
(*2) Limited to those that are accompanied by Japanese translations prepared by embassies that issued the licenses or an entity specified by law, such as Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).

• Important Points about Daily Life – Driving a Car in Japan
• For Holders of Foreign Driver’s Licenses (National Police Agency of Japan website)
• Japanese translations of foreign licenses (JAF website)　
  (JAF English site (top page) > Visitors to Japan > Valid Driving License)

＜If an Accident Occurs＞

If you are involved in a traffic accident, call the police (110) regardless of the size of the accident.
If anyone is injured, also call emergency services (119). And contact the university as well.

Public Transportation

＜Bus＞

Morioka has a well-developed bus route. Iwateken Kotsu buses and Northern Iwate Transportation buses are convenient for access to Iwate University. 

• Iwateken Kotsu website (Available only in Japanese)
• Northern Iwate Transportation website (Available only in Japanese)
• Morioka Bus Route Map (Iwate Bus Association) (Available only in Japanese)
• Iwate Bus Route Map (Iwate Bus Association) (Available only in Japanese)

Long-distance buses also run from Morioka to other prefectures.

• Intercity Bus (Iwate Bus Association) (Available only in Japanese)

＜Railway＞

• JR East (East Japan Railway Company)
• Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway Co., Ltd) (Available only in Japanese)
• Sanriku Railway (Sanriku Railway Co,. Ltd.)

＜Taxi＞

• Iwate Taxi Association (Available only in Japanese)

＜Airway＞

• Iwate Hanamaki Airport

Iwate Hanamaki Airport is approximately 45 minutes by airport shuttle bus (Iwateken Kotsu) from Morioka Station.

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Leisure

Sightseeing in Morioka Area

Selected by the New York Times (electronic edition) as one of the “52 Places to Go in 2023,” Morioka is a city of history and culture that can be enjoyed on foot.

• Morioka City Tourism Information (Morioka City Website)
  You can switch between English, Chinese, Korean, and Thai by clicking the language switch button at the bottom of the page.

Food Diversity

The number of vegetarian and halal restaurants in Iwate is still not large but is gradually increasing.

• Vegetarian Guide (Japan National Tourism Organization JNTO webpage)
  (HOME > Things to Do > Food & Drink > Vegetarian and Vegan Guide)

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Internet / Mobile phone

In Progress

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Security / Disaster Prevention / Emergency

Emergency Contacts

Police station　　110　　traffic accident, crime (theft, violence, etc.) etc.

Fire Station　　　119　　Fire, traffic accident, when someone is seriously ill or injured

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Place of Worship 

In Progress