It’s almost Winter in Japan, and you know what that means – a trip to the laundromat! In this guide on how to use the laundromat in Japan, we’ll go through the basics for people living and traveling in Japan!
In Japan, laundromats are a winter savior when it gets too rainy or cold to properly dry your clothes. And unless you want your home to be a humid mess, they’re a life-saver.
Laundromats aka “Coin Laundry” in Japan have a few notable features that differ from those in the US.
Notably, you can wash and dry your futon, wash-and-dry in the same machine, and even run your shoes through a special shoe washer.
Whether you need a quick wash during your travels or simply need to dry your clothes in the cold, this guide will help you decipher the ways of the laundromat.
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Can't You Dry Your Clothes at Home in Japan?
Well, yes. However, unlike the US, Japanese homes don’t typically come with a dryer hookup. While even small apartments will have a washer hookup, drying is most often done by hanging clothes outdoors.
It’s not uncommon to see clothes, towels, and even futons blowing in the wind in someone’s front or back yard. That’s because it’s perfectly legal to do so in Japan – something that’s not the case in the US.
But just because most people can dry their clothes in the yard or balcony, doesn’t always mean it’s convenient to do so.
Washing blankets, duvets, and futons can be a chore. And drying clothes indoors is miserable at best. In a naturally humid climate like Japan, it’s asking for mold.
That’s where laundromats come in – they are relatively cost-effective if you know what to do, and they dry clothes efficiently in the cold weather.
The Japanese Laundromat Experience
While I almost feel claustrophobic every time I’m in an American laundromat, Japanese laundromats feel clean and open, and the larger ones have plentiful table space.
Instead of being optimized to fit the largest quantity of washers and dryers inside, they instead provide a generous table layout. This is crucial for folding large items.
As a note, most laundromats don’t allow eating or drinking in the shop. However, I brought in a bottle of green tea, and no one said anything.
But– I wouldn’t feel comfortable with anything more than that. Although it may seem restrictive, I much prefer this to the smell of Subway or McDonalds mixed in with every laundry detergent under the sun.
Plus, you can always ask the staff questions if there’s anyone around and you’re up to the task.
I can say with certainty that I’d never seen anyone working at a laundromat in the US before, but here, someone was helping customers, tidying, and refilling the shoe machine’s detergent.
A Traveler's Dream
You can pack lightly knowing that laundromats in Japan are a tourist’s dream. It’s also great if you happen to be doing a roadtrip through Japan.
No more hotel laundry service, and no more buying minis of detergent when you forget your supplies at home or don’t have any!
Since Japanese laundromats usually come with detergent and fabric softener pre-loaded, you can rest easy.
My only word of caution– if you see a shop labeled “Cleaning” クリニング (kuriningu) on the street or in your maps, those are actually dry cleaning shops!
So unless you have dress shirts you need pressed, I’d stick to coin laundry.
How to use the Laundromat
Enter the laundromat
- You’ll see many types of machines, tables and carts.
Check the type of machine
- There are three types: washer, dryer, and washer-dryer.
- The dual machines usually cost more, but they are basically “set it and forget it” machines.
- Each machine has a label that tells you the type and max load in kilograms.
- If it’s in Japanese only, use a translation app or check for these words:
- Wash 洗濯(sentaku)
- Dry 乾燥 (kansou)
- Only のみ (only)
- See more laundry related terms below.
- There are three types: washer, dryer, and washer-dryer.
Load your clothes
- Try not to overload your machine or pick a larger one if needed.
- Most laundromats in Japan pre-load detergent. No need to provide your own.
- Just close the door grab your coins.
Get ¥100 coins
- There are usually coin changers – which look like little metal terminals. Insert ¥1000 bills to get coins.
Select your course
- Some big machines have different courses for the weight and type.
- You can choose to do either a nonstop wash-and-dry or just a wash or dry.
- Choose the appropriate weight for your amount of clothes.
- Some big machines have different courses for the weight and type.
Insert your coins
- Find the correct coin slot using the guides on the machine.
- Pay attention to the cost.
- Start your laundry.
Click to enlarge images.
Typical Wash and Dry Cycles
As an American, the magical thing about Japanese laundromats to me is that no detergent is required.
The machines come pre-loaded with detergent (even if they have the flap to add your own – rest assured, it’s in there).
You can simply load your clothes in, and follow the prompts to close the door and add your coins.
And if you need to break a bill, every laundromat should have a bill changer.
Just be sure to come back on time to swap your loads, so you don’t keep anyone waiting.
Combo Wash-and-Dry Machines
People here are very punctual about moving their laundry, which is great! You have to make sure you’re keeping track of time so you don’t cause any other people trouble though.
But that’s where combination wash-and-dry machines come in. They’re a great, convenient option if you have to do both cycles but don’t want to come back in between.
However, they do tend to cost more. A wash and dry cycle on separate machines ran us about ¥800 (¥500 for wash and ¥300 for dry. Altogether ~$5.37), whereas the combo machine costs ¥1300 minimum.
This because it holds a much larger amount, and is geared towards futons, blankets, and duvets.
And if you already have a washing machine, I’d recommend skipping the wash cycle at the laundromat altogether – and just opt for drying.
Washing Futon at the Laundromat
If you’re looking for a futon-washing laundromat, you can search the term for “large coin laundry” 大型コインランドリー (Oogata Koin Randori).
The aforementioned wash-and-dry machines are also great for washing large items like futons and duvets.
They even have specific dryers where you lay your futon on top and it will dry flat.
Just be sure to check the guidance posters on the wall for instructions (I recommend using Google translate’s photo option for this, it’s ridiculously robust now).
For example, when we went hoping to wash our futon, we would’ve had to wrap it in a specific way with the shop’s provided straps in order to keep folded together.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to wash it at all – apparently the washing instructions on ours prohibits washing; it would cause the polyester fill to ball up.
In fact, most futons are “washed” using the sun. That’s right– just throw your futon over a balcony wall and let it sit in the sun to reduce mold and dustmites. I’m not sure how effective this actually is, but hey, we don’t wash our mattresses in the ‘States either.
Other Amenities
Shoe Laundry
- Some laundromats will provide shoe laundering machines.
- These wash and dry your shoes… presumably to prevent them from messing up your washing machine at home.
Coin Changer
- Any laundromat will have these, just pop a bill in and receive coins.
- Just be careful doing this in arcades… those changers might be for tokens.
- Any laundromat will have these, just pop a bill in and receive coins.
Dryer Sheets
- Though the washing machines are loaded with detergent and softener, dryer sheets can be purchased.
- We didn’t end up needing them, but if you hate static they can be useful.
Sink, Lost and Found
- Laundromats will have a sink, and most will have a lost and found section too.
- Look for signs that clarify whether you can throw trash away though. You may have to dispose of it at home or at your hotel.
Terms to Know
- Coin laundry コインランドリー koin randori
- Laundry 洗濯 sentaku
- Washing machine 洗濯機 sentakuki
- Dryerドライヤー doraiya
- Drying machine 乾燥機 kansouki
- Large 大型 oogata
- Medium 中型 chuugata
- Lukewarm water ぬるま湯 nurumayu
- Futon 布団 futon
- Futon top cover 掛け布団 kakebuton
- Duvet 羽毛布団 umoobuton
- Detergent 洗剤 senzai
- Fabric Softener ソフター / 柔軟剤 sofuta/juunanzai
- Bleach ブリーチ / 漂白剤 burichi/hyouhakuzai
- Wool ウール / 羊毛/ 毛 uru/youmou/ke
- Silk シルク shiruku
- Cotton コットン / 綿 kotton/wata
- Acrylic アクリル akuriru
- High heat 高音 kouon
- Medium heat 中温 chuuon
- Low heat 低音 teion
- Air blower 送風 soufu
- Dirt/y 汚れ yogore
- Lost items 忘れ物 wasuremono
- Foreign object 異物 ibutsu
Finally, if you’re looking for things to do in your snazzy, clean clothes, check out my 7 Must-Go Places in Ginza!
Wow! What a thorough article Kat. Thank you!
Thanks John!