Budget hotels, hostels and ryokans are more likely to have coin-operated washing machines. Q: Do hotels in Japan typically have laundry service?Ī: Most have laundry services with charges varying, but 1,000+ yen per item is quite typical. If you don’t have time for this, or space, then you may want to look for a laundromat to use a dryer.ĭryer sheets are also not common in Japan, so if you want to use these then it is best to bring them with you to Japan. Many Japanese also air-dry their clothes on the balcony.

(If you will be staying at an apartment, be sure to ask ahead of time!) Many modern apartments will have a clothes rack in the bath room – and a dryer in there as well. If you are staying in a flat then you will probably find the washing machine in the bathroom, but no dryer. Keep in mind that Japanese dryers aren’t always as powerful as Western ones, and doing multiple cycles can add up. Find an empty dryer – make sure you don’t fill it up too much. However, costs can vary from 100 yen for 10 minutes to 30 minutes.ġ. Though, it is possible to find a washer dryer which can do everything. Unless you want to take a pile of wet clothing back to your accommodation you will need to use a dryer. In addition they may not always wash with hot water. One thing to keep in mind, especially if you are from a country where washing machines can take a long time, is that in Japan it only takes 20 to 40 minutes. Unless you have happened across a particularly old washing machine a timer should be displayed showing how long it will take. In the coin slot put in the correct number of coins. You now just need to close the lid or door.Ĥ. Unless there are instructions in English, or pictures, indicating otherwise, you normally just add the detergent with the clothes.ģ. If the washing machines come in different sizes then be sure to select the correct size for the laundry that you want to wash.Ģ. First of all look out for machines with baskets on top of them this indicates that someone is using the machine. To be safe, carry ten 100 yen coins with you.ġ. The price can vary, and can be as low as 200 yen for one wash. Washing machines accept 100 yen coins, so make sure you have enough for how many washes you want to do. Once you have got your detergent, but again before going to the laundromat, make sure you have change. In addition the brand おしゃれ着 (Osharegi) is usually scented too so you will want to avoid this one if you want unscented. Tip: If the detergent has something like 香り (kaori) then most likely it has a special scent or fragrance, so if you want non-scented then avoid these.

If in doubt, ask the staff: Kore wa hyouhakuzai desu ka? / Does this contain bleach? Regular detergents can come in powder, liquid and capsule form, and popular brands besides Ariel includeアタック (Attack) and Nanox (in English).

You may be curious whether the detergent has bleach or not, in this case you need to look for: 漂白剤 (Hyouhakuzai) which means it contains bleach. However, once you have found the detergents you might be wondering what exactly you are buying! Luckily there are some international brands which you can easily recognize because of their brand logo, but in general when looking at detergent there are some key things to watch out for. If in doubt whether a store stocks detergent or not, or where it is, you can ask: Sentaku senzai ga arimasu ka? (洗濯洗剤がありますか？) (Products and prices listed are for reference only.) (1) “Attack / アタック” – a powder-form detergent.

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