Are you looking for cleanup events to join in Tokyo?

If you want to make Tokyo’s streets, rivers, or beaches cleaner, these activities are a great way to help the environment and improve life in the city.

Cleanup Events in Tokyo And Around For a Better Environment

Here are some of the cleanup events in Tokyo – and around – that you can join to protect our environment and make life in the city more enjoyable.

Tokyo River Friends

Tokyo River Friends is a volunteer organization focused on cleaning up Tokyo’s rivers, particularly areas along the Arakawa and Edogawa Rivers. 

Unlike many city-based cleanup groups, Tokyo River Friends places a strong emphasis on removing trash from riverbanks, where waste accumulation is often overlooked. Their mission is not just about beautification but also about protecting the ecosystem and preventing plastic and other debris from flowing into the ocean.

The group holds regular cleanup events, typically on weekends, attracting both local and international volunteers. 

Participants gather at designated locations, where they are provided with gloves, trash bags, and other necessary tools before heading out to collect litter along the riverbanks. The atmosphere is friendly and social, making it a great way to contribute to environmental conservation while meeting like-minded people.

One unique aspect of Tokyo River Friends is their commitment to tackling large-scale waste issues. In addition to small litter, they often remove abandoned items such as bicycles, tires, and construction materials, as you can see on their active Instagram Page. Their efforts highlight the importance of sustained action in keeping Tokyo’s waterways clean.

Joining is easy, as no prior registration is required. 

Volunteers can simply check the group’s website or Facebook page for upcoming events and show up at the designated meeting point.

Edogawa River and Arakawa River Cleanup

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The Edogawa River Cleanup at Myoden and Arakawa River Cleanup are monthly volunteer events organized by Tokyo River Friends.

These cleanups provide an opportunity for community members to contribute to environmental conservation while enjoying the natural beauty of the Edogawa River.​

Edogawa River Cleanup Schedule:

Meeting Time: 10:00 AM at Myoden Station (Tozai Line), outside the only ticket gate.​

Cleanup Activity: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM along the Edogawa River near Myoden.​

Volunteers will walk from Myoden Station to the riverbank to collect litter along the riverbanks for about 3.5 to 4 hours, with a break in the middle. 

Arakawa River Cleanup Schedule:

Meeting Time: 1:00 PM​ at Nishi Kasai Station (Tozai Line), outside the only ticket gate​

Cleanup Activity: 1:00 PM – 5 PM Approximately 3.5 to 4 hours​

Volunteers will gather at Nishi Kasai Station and proceed to the Arakawa River to pick up trash along the riverbanks.

Check the official website for upcoming events

Fujisawa Beach Clean Project

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​The Fujisawa Beach Clean Project is a community-driven initiative established in 2009 by Alana and Michel Bonzi in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. 

Its primary goal is to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy beaches and marine ecosystems in the Shonan area. The project organizes large-scale, biannual cleanups during Earth Day in the spring and the International Coastal Cleanup Campaign in the fall. These events bring together corporate volunteers, families, students, and local community members to remove debris from beaches, parks, and shrines. Participants also engage in citizen science by collecting data on marine debris and contributing to national and international reports on ocean health.

Since 2009, the project has helped collect an impressive amount of around 1200 kg of trash.

The most recent event was the “Earth Day Wellness Beach Cleanup” on April 13th at Katase Higashihama Beach in Fujisawa.

Greenbird

​Greenbird is a volunteer organization in Japan dedicated to keeping public spaces clean through community-based litter-picking events. 

Founded in 2003 in Harajuku, the initiative has expanded nationwide and internationally, with the philosophy that “cleaning the city makes the heart clean too.” 

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds come together to tidy up parks, rivers, and streets in a fun and social environment.

Joining Greenbird is simple and open to anyone, including both locals and visitors. The organization has teams in major cities across Japan, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Fukuoka. 

To participate, you can check the official website for upcoming cleanup events. 

While registration is not always required, some locations may ask participants to sign up in advance via the website or social media.

On the day of the cleanup, all you need to do is show up at the designated meeting spot at the scheduled time. The Greenbird team provides gloves, trash bags, and tongs, so no personal equipment is necessary. Cleanups usually last between 30 minutes to an hour and offer a great opportunity to meet new people while contributing to a cleaner environment. Participation is completely free—just bring enthusiasm and a willingness to help.

Cleanup Events to Join in Tokyo This Spring

Participating in these cleanup events offers a meaningful way to contribute to the health of Tokyo’s waterways and engage with the community. Both organizations welcome volunteers and provide the necessary tools and guidance to ensure productive and enjoyable experiences.​

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Featured image credit: Canva