by Ayushi Chaudhary
When I first arrived in Tokyo to study at Temple University Japan, I quickly noticed something that shaped my Global Green Grant project (part of Temple’s Education Abroad’s sustainability initiatives). Tokyo is incredibly clean and organized, and recycling systems are highly structured, yet single-use plastic is still very common in daily life, especially in convenience stores and supermarkets. As I adjusted to life here, I found myself asking a simple question: if students want to live more sustainably in Tokyo, where do they even start?
That question became the foundation of my project. While there are many sustainability initiatives across the city, I realized there was no centralized, student-friendly resource that made these options easy to find or understand. For students studying abroad, especially those new to Japan, navigating sustainability can feel overwhelming. I decided to create a Tokyo Student Sustainability Map, a bilingual, interactive guide designed to help students make more environmentally-conscious choices in their daily routines.
I chose this project because it felt both practical and scalable. Rather than focusing only on awareness, I wanted to create something actionable. Sustainability can often feel abstract, but small decisions, like where you shop, how you commute, or whether you carry a reusable bottle, have real impact. My goal was to make those decisions easier for students by providing clear, accessible information.
To develop the map, I combined research with fieldwork. I began by identifying key categories that would be most useful for students: refill stations, secondhand stores, eco-friendly cafés, zero-waste shops, and green spaces. From there, I started exploring different neighborhoods in Tokyo, including Sangenjaya, Shimokitazawa, and Shibuya, looking for locations that were not only sustainable but also accessible and affordable for students.
The photos below highlight a water fountain refill station in Shimokitazawa, the United Nations University in Shibuya, and a green public park in Chiyoda City. These are just a few examples of the types of locations featured on the map, each offering accessible ways for students to engage in more sustainable practices, whether through reducing single-use plastic, supporting local vendors, or utilizing shared green spaces.
Each location on the map includes a short description explaining why it is sustainable and how students can use it. I also made the map bilingual to ensure it is accessible to both international students and those who may feel more comfortable navigating in Japanese. This was especially important in a city like Tokyo, where language can sometimes be a barrier to accessing local resources.
One of the most impactful parts of this project was integrating it into OwlSide, a student platform used to navigate life in Tokyo. Rather than existing as a standalone tool, the map is now embedded within a resource students already use. I worked with the OwlSide team to add sustainability features, including designing an “eco-friendly” stamp icon that links directly to the map. This integration made sustainable options more visible, accessible, and practical for everyday use.
One of the most interesting parts of this project was learning how sustainability is shaped by cultural context. Japan has a strong cultural value of mottainai, which emphasizes avoiding waste and appreciating resources. At the same time, modern consumer habits, particularly around packaging, can make low-waste living more challenging. This contrast reinforced the idea that sustainability is not just about individual choices, but also about systems and accessibility. By creating this map, I aimed to bridge that gap by highlighting options that already exist but may not be widely known to students.
The final result of my project is a digital, interactive map that students can use in real time as they navigate Tokyo. It serves as both a practical guide and a starting point for building more sustainable habits abroad. Beyond the map itself, I also developed short descriptions and categories that make it easy to expand and update over time.
A key focus of this project is longevity. I designed the map to be a living resource that can continue to grow even after my program ends. Because it is integrated into OwlSide, it will continue to reach new students each semester as the platform is introduced to incoming cohorts. Future Temple Japan students will also be able to add new locations and update existing ones, ensuring that the map stays relevant as the city evolves. In this way, the project goes beyond a single semester and becomes part of a broader sustainability effort within the Temple study abroad community.
Through this experience, I learned that effective sustainability work often comes down to accessibility and usability. It is not enough to encourage people to make better choices; those choices have to be realistic within their daily lives. I also gained experience in project design, collaboration, and translating ideas into practical tools that others can use. Creating the Tokyo Student Sustainability Map allowed me to combine my academic interests, personal experiences, and global perspective into something tangible.
For students considering studying abroad, I would encourage you to think about how your daily habits might change in a new environment and how you can approach those changes intentionally. Sustainability does not require perfection; it is about making small, informed decisions and being aware of your impact. More importantly, this project gave me the opportunity to contribute a resource that I hope will make sustainable living more accessible for future students in Tokyo!
Link to Map: Student Sustainability Map
Link to OwlSide Site: OwlSide
Ayushi Chaudhary was an Academic Year 2025-2026 Global Green Grant recipient. Learn more about Temple Education Abroad’s sustainability efforts and the Global Green Grant.