Kyoto International
Community House
〒606-8536
2-1 Torii-cho,Awataguchi,
Sakyo-ku Kyoto,606-8536 JAPAN.
TEL：075-752-3010
FAX：075-752-3510
E-mail：office@kcif.or.jp
Mar. : 1, 8, 15, 23, 29
Apr. : 5, 12, 19, 26
Home >Useful Kyoto Info >
Comfortable Living - Starting a New Lie(Public Utilities)
Starting a New Lie(Public Utilities)
Public Utilities
| Check with the landlord! |
| Please check with the
landlord as to what utility (electricity, water etc) fees are included
in your rent. |
| Automatic Payment System |
| It is convenient to use
the automatic payment system at your bank or post office to pay for
utilities. Otherwise if you are late paying you will be charged a
“late fee”. |
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Water
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Electricity
| How to begin the electrical service |
Contact the organization
in your area and follow the instractions given.
Inquiries
•Kansai Denryoku Kyoto Eigyosho 075-491-1141
•Fushimi Eigyosho
(for Fushimi and surrounding areas) 075-611-2131 |
|
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| Use of electrical
appliances |
| • |
In Japan, western and
eastern circuits use different cycles. In Kyoto, the current is 60
hertz and 100 volts. |
| • |
Using appliances which
do not match the above current and voltage may cause damage to both
the appliances and the circuits. |
| • |
Please be careful about
using electrical appliances brought from overseas which may not meet
Japanese requirements. |
| Rates |
| It depends on the amount
of electricity used every month. Procedures for calculating monthly
rates are noted on the back of your bill. |
| * |
If you overload a circuit with too
many appliances, the safety breaker switch will automatically cut
off electricity to one room or part of the house. If this happens,
shut off or remove some of the appliances, then turn the breaker switch
on to its original position to restore the flow of electricity. |
| In case of changing frequency |
|
| Appliances
which can be used |
TVs,radios,video
equipment, vaccuum cleaners |
| Applicances
which cannot be used |
Washin
machines, some fluorescent lamps, etc. |
| Appliances
which can be used but will witness a slight change in
motor ratation and consumpition of electricity |
Refrigerators,
juice mixers, electric fans, air conditioners, etc. |
|
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Gas
There are two types of gas used:
natural
gas (city gas) and
LP (liquefied propane) gas. First check which
type is used where you live.
|
(2) LP Gas
|
How to begin
and terminate the LP gas service
| Contact |
The
company marked on the tag attached to the meter. |
| Rates |
Payment
is made monthly. |
|
*Gas appliances using LP
gas can be used anywhere in Japan, but they are not interchangeable
with those that use natural gas. Please have the service representative
inspect the appliance, and use only those designed especially
for use with LP gas.
|
Inquiries
•Kyo Pro Co., Ltd. (075-691-7161)
•Iwatanikinki Co.,Ltd. (075-671-6363)
•Uehara Sei Shoji Co., Ltd. Kyoto(075-611-3293
)
*Co., Ltd. = Company Limited
|
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| Gas Safety Rules |
| • |
Make sure that there is
plenty of fresh air when using a gas appliance, and always turn off
the gas supply (as well as switch off the appliance) after use. |
| • |
If you notice a change
in the air quality or smell around you, immediately stop using the
appliance, turn off the gas supply and open doors and windows to let
the gas get out. Then check the appliance and gas supply for leaks.
|
| • |
If you notice a gas leak,
do not touch any electrical switches, such as for the light or fan. |
| • |
Please use gas appliances
that comply with safety standards. If the appliance and gas type do
not match, they may cause gas poisoning or a fire. |
| • |
You will need to have
the appliance adjusted accordingly. (It costs about ¥10,000) |
|
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garbage
| Separate and dispose garbage
|
There are two types of
garbage: household garbage and recyclable garbage. You must separate
these two types and put them out for collection on the designated
day.
| Household
garbage |
everyday
garbage (anything that cannot be recycled) |
| Recyclable
garbage |
empty
cans, PET bottles, empty glass bottles |
|
|
| When and where is the collection? |
| The garbage collection
days and manner of putting out the garbage varies with each location.
Please ask a neighbor for details. |
| How do you dispose of garbage? |
Place garbage in a specially-designated Kyoto City Household-Use Garbage Bag. Each bag should have no more garbage than can be lifted with one arm. Tightly cinch the bag. Be aware that garbage disposed in non-designated bags will not be collected. Designated bags are sold at retail stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and other such venues.
Household-use Bag 45 ℓ(Lg.) Set of 10 450 yen
Recyclable-use Bag 45 ℓ(Lg.) Set of 5 110 yen
|
|
Inquiries
•Clean Streetscape Promotion Section (Machi Bika
Suishinka) 075-222-3461
|
|
| (1)
Household garbage |
Collection
is made twice a week.
Dispose of garbage in the designated area before 8 a.m. on collection
day. Do not, however, put it out the previous night.
| * |
-----Make sure to wrap sharp items such as broken glass or blades
in cardboard or other packaging material. | -----
|
|
| (2)
Recyclable garbage (cans, glass bottles, PET bottles) |
Collection
is made once a week.
As the place of collection for recyclable garbage and household
garbage may differ, confirm with a neighbor.
| * |
Please make sure that all
cans are empty, and rinse the insides clean. |
| * |
PET bottles: Take off caps
and put out together with the household garbage. Return
beer and sake bottles to the shop where you bought them
for reuse. |
*Please put out the following items
as household garbage.
|
|
| (3)
Paper Cartons |
Cut
open, wash and dry. There are collection points at your nearby
supermarkets, primary schools, ward or cleaning office.
| * |
ìRecycle Promotion Section
(Recycle Suishin-ka)
075-222-4091 |
|
|
| (4)
Large items |
This
includes household furniture, futons and so on. The removal
fee is determined by the size of the item. Measure each, then
call to find out the cost and make an appointment for removal.
| * |
Large-scale Garbage Center
(Oogata gomi Center)
Fee necessary 0120-100530 (toll free)
Monday thru Friday. 9:00–19:00 (opens national holidays) |
|
|
| (5)
Disposal of Air-con., TV, Refrigerator and Washing machine |
According
to the law, when you no longer need the above appliances, you
must return them to the place of purchase or an electric home
appliance shop in your area. A disposal fee will be charged.
•Association
for Electric Home Appliances 0120-319640 (toll free)
•Recycle Promotion Section (Recycle Suishin-ka) 075-222-4091
•Clean Streetscape Promotion Section (Machi Bika Suishin-ka) 075-222-3461 |
|
|
| (6)
Batteries |
Dry
batteries
There are collection boxes at the Kyoto City sanitation office,
ward offices, branch offices, health centers and the Kyoto City
Hall.
| * |
Other batteries
(nickel-cadmium, small watch batteries etc.) Inquiries:
Kyoto City sanitation offices, ward offices or branch
offices |
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Recycling
| Inquiries about recycling in
Kyoto |
| Recycle Promotion Section
(Recycle Suishin-ka) 075-222-4091 |
| To obtain or hand over used goods
for recycling. |
It is possible to obtain
or hand over used goods such as old furniture etc. Contact the number
below or check out their homepage on the Internet.
Inquiries
Kyoto City Recycle Information
|
|
|
| Recycle used oil |
| Used tempura oil is recyclable
as car fuel. For details, contact: Recycle Suishin-ka. |
| Businesses assisting with recycling |
| Kyoto
City recognizes businesses which promote recycling and reduction
of waste by the “Meguru-kun” symbol. You can support
recycling by shopping at these businesses. |
 |
|
| Non-Governmental Organizations
involved in recycling |
•Japan Environmental Protection of International Interchange (JEE) 075-751-5404
•Environmental Citizen (Kankyo Shimin) 075-211-3521
•The Disposable Age Discussion Committee(Tsukaisute Jidai wo Kangaeru Kai) 075-361-0222
•Real Link Kyoto ?801-5629 |
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Telephone
| Telephone Installation |
| Contact |
NTT office
(116) |
| Place
to apply |
Nearest
NTT office |
| What
to take |
Your
passport of Foreign Residents Regis
tration Certificate, a contract form, a contract fee of
800yen, and a non-refundable connection charge of 37,800yen. |
|
* There are also companies from which
telephones can be rented at about 2,900yen per month (not including
telephone call charges) You don’t have to pay the connection
charge in this case. For used telephone lines, check the KICH message
board, Kansai Flea market weekly, and the telephone directories. |
| Telephone Costs |
| Telephone call charges
will be billed to your home or office on a monthly basis. The bill
consists of a standard monthly fee of ¥1,750 plus telephone charges
calculated. |
| Telephone Disconnection |
| The connection charge
of 37,800yen is non-refundable. However, there are companies that
will purchase your telephone number. Look in the telephone directories. |
| Telephone Directories |
•You can receive
a free directory when you have a telephone installed.
•The “Hello Pages” directory is indexed according to
the Japanese Kana.(Private numbers)
•The “Town Pages” directory is indexed by type of business
service. (Business numbers)
*The “Town Pages”
directory is also very useful for general living information. |
|
Inquiries
•NTT English Hello Pages Center (06-6944-7504)
|
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International Calls
There are several international telephone
companies. To inquire about joining up or telephone fees, call the following.
| KDDI
(001-010) |
0057 (Available
24hours, toll free) |
| Japan
Telecom (0041-010) |
0088-41 (Available
24hours, toll free) |
IDC
(0061-010)
|
0066-11 (Available
24hours, toll free) |
| NTT
Communications (0033-010) |
0120-506-506
(9-21, toll free) |
|
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Postal Services
| Post Office Operating Times | F
| Most
neighborhood post offices |
Monday–Friday
9:00–17:00 |
| Some
of the larger post offices |
Monday–Friday>9:00–19:00
Saturday>8:00–17:00
Sunday>9:00–12:30 |
|
*Operating hours can vary between
post offices. |
|
|
| Where to mail on a Saturday,
Sunday, National holiday or late at night |
Kyoto Chuo Post Office,
Nakagyo Post Office and Nishijin Post Office accept your mail 24 hours.
 Facilit |
| (1)Domestif
Mail |
| Mail Classification
and Delivery Service |
More Info |
|
|
| (2)International
Mail |
| Mail classifications
and delivery services |
More Info |
|
|
| How to send money through the
mail |
<Genkin Kakitome>
Genkin kakitome is a domestic registered mail service handling cash
(up to 500,000 yen) sent through the mail. A special envelop called
“Cash Registration Envelope” is used. Money and letters
can be enclosed together. Ask for this service at the counter. The
charge is 500yen–1,590yen.
It is also possible to use a postal money order.
Inquiries
Post Office in your area |
|
|
| Other Services of
the Postal System |
| • |
When moving
If you notify your post office of your new address, they will re-address any mail ?sent to your old address for 1 year free of charge. |
| • |
When you are not at home
If you are away and parcels or special deliveries are delivered to your home, a slip advising you of the delivery will be placed in your mail box. Take this slip along with personal identification to the post office within a week to retrieve your parcel. |
| • |
When you are away for a long period of time
If you vacate your residence for a long period of time, notify the post office in advance to have your mail held. They will deliver it to you on the day your come back (valid for up to 30 days) |
| • |
If you spoil a pre-stamped postcard
If you misprint or spoil a pre-stamped postcard, you can take it to the post office and have it exchanged for a new one for 5 yen. |
| International Electronic Mail
(Kokusai Retakkusu) |
If you are in a hurry,
you can take the urgent message (not exceeding A4 in size) to your
post office. They will fax it to the post office of the destination,
from where it will be sent to the recipient by post. It takes one
to two days from posting to delivery.
Inquiries
about international mail
•Chuo Post Office Mailing Eigyo Kikaku-ka(075-365-2678)
•Chuo Post Office Madoguchi-ka(075-365-2471) |
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