Six smart trash bins equipped with a trash compression function and a communication function to notify the volume of trash were installed on Nagatsuji-dori (Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City), the main street of the Saga-Arashiyama area that spreads across Ukyo Ward and Nishikyo Ward of Kyoto City. At the unveiling ceremony held on May 1, 2025, local residents and related parties celebrated the installation and renewed their commitment to creating a trash-free landscape.
This is the first time in eight years that trash bins have been installed on Nagatsuji-dori. They had been removed by Kyoto City by 2017 because they had previously overflowed and scattered trash.
The smart trash bins were donated to Kyoto City by Ebisu-ya Sohonten (Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City), the Arashiyama Preservation Association, and the Arashiyama Shopping Street. As a measure against scattered trash, the six installed bins will not only be collected by Kyoto City, but shopping street businesses will also join in the collection as necessary to prevent trash from being scattered.
The ceremony, held at a commercial facility in front of Randen Arashiyama Station, was attended by about 50 people, including Mayor Matsui Koji and local residents. Norio Hamasawa (66), president of Ebisu-ya Sohonten, said, "It is only because of the beautiful scenery that we can do our rickshaw sightseeing business. We want to do our best to preserve the scenic beauty of Arashiyama for future generations."
According to Kyoto City's Urban Beautification Promotion Division, 26 smart trash bins have been installed in 13 locations in the city.
