Are Japan’s strict trash collection days getting you down this summer? Are you plugging your nose and counting down the days until the next burnables collection because your garbage is rotting away in the summer heat?
If you’re like me, you hate Japanese summers for a slew of reasons, one of which being all the putrid smells that come with the increased heat and humidity of the sticky summer months. You may also often rush out the door on the morning of burnables collection day and forget to take out your bag of raw and rotting garbage, leaving you to deal with the stench until the next trash collection day rolls around.
But there is a really simple solution to this problem, as well as quick tricks for dealing with other stinky situations like funky-shoe smells and unpleasant, grimy sinks. Find out how after the jump!

Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
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The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
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Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
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Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
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Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
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New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
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The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
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Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
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Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
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Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Japan’s buzzword of the year nominees: A great way to learn and be baffled by Japanese vocabulary
This downtown Tokyo video rental shop still has 6,000 VHS tapes, will rent you a VCR too【Photos】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Secret backmasked message found hidden in Dragon Ball Z ending song
Tokyo’s most famous video rental shop is shutting down
Father and son dissect a gachapon capsule toy machine to show us its magical insides【Video】
Classic anime Inuyasha teams up with discount shop Thank You Mart for first time with new merch