Living in Japan often means smaller living spaces, and not everyone has a washing machine at home. That’s where coin laundries come in! They’re a convenient and affordable way to wash your clothes, especially bulky items like bedding. Don’t worry if it’s your first time; this guide will walk you through the process.

Why Use Coin Laundries in Japan?

  • Convenience: Open 24/7 or late hours, so you can do laundry whenever it fits your schedule.
  • Large Capacity: Wash bulky items like blankets or comforters that might not fit in a home machine.
  • Fast Drying: Dryers at coin laundries are powerful and get your clothes dry quickly.
  • Affordable: Cheaper than dry cleaning and often even cheaper than using your building’s facilities.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Coin Laundries

  1. Find a Coin Laundry:They’re usually easy to spot, often with “コインランドリー” (koin randorii) signs. You can also search online maps for “coin laundry” or “koin randorii” near you.
  2. Check the Machines:Availability: Look for an empty washing machine or dryer.Capacity: Machines come in various sizes (e.g., small, medium, large). Choose one that’s appropriate for your load. The size is usually indicated in kilograms (kg). Instructions: Most machines will have instructions, sometimes in multiple languages, but often in Japanese. This guide will help you understand the basics.
  3. Washing Your Clothes:Load Your Laundry: Put your clothes into the washing machine. Don’t overload it; leave some space for the clothes to move freely.Detergent: Automatic Dispensing: Many newer machines automatically dispense detergent. In this case, you don’t need to add any.Adding Your Own: If the machine doesn’t automatically dispense, you’ll need to add your own detergent to the detergent dispenser. Use the amount recommended on the detergent packaging.Select a Course: The control panel will have buttons or a dial to select the wash cycle.Common options include: 標準 (hyoujun): Standard, おまかせ (omakase): Automatic/Recommended, 毛布 (moufu): Blanket, ドライ (dorai): Dry cleaning (use with caution, check your garments)You might also see options for water temperature (e.g., 水 – mizu – cold, お湯 – oyu – hot) or spin cycle speed.Insert Coins: Insert the required amount of coins (usually 100-yen coins) into the coin slot. The price varies depending on the machine size and wash cycle.Start the Machine: Press the “スタート (sutaato)” button to begin the wash cycle.Wait: Washing typically takes 30-40 minutes.Remove Your Laundry: Once the cycle is finished, promptly remove your clothes to prevent them from getting wrinkled.
  4. Drying Your Clothes:Load Your Laundry: Transfer your wet clothes to a dryer.Set the Time: Dryers are time-based. Choose the desired drying time. 10-minute increments are common.Insert Coins: Insert coins into the dryer.Start the Dryer: Press the start button.Wait: Drying usually takes 20-40 minutes, depending on the load size and material.Check and Repeat (if needed): Check if your clothes are dry. If they’re still damp, add more time.Remove Your Laundry: Take out your dry clothes and fold them as soon as possible to avoid wrinkles.

Important Things to Note:

  • Pocket Check: Always check your pockets for any items before loading your laundry.
  • Laundry Nets: It’s a good idea to use laundry nets (洗濯ネット, sentaku netto) for delicate items to protect them.
  • Drying Restrictions: Some items, like wool or silk, should not be tumble-dried. Check the care labels on your garments.
  • Cash Only: Coin laundries primarily accept cash (100-yen coins).
  • Be Respectful: Don’t leave your laundry unattended for too long. Other people may be waiting to use the machines.
  • Japanese Terms: It’s helpful to know a few basic Japanese terms: 洗濯 (sentaku): Washing 乾燥 (kansou): Drying 洗剤 (senzai): Detergent 柔軟剤 (juunanzai): Fabric softener

Tips for a Smooth Laundry Experience:

  • Bring enough 100-yen coins.
  • Some laundries may sell detergent or fabric softener.
  • Many laundries provide folding tables.
  • Be aware of the opening and closing hours of the laundry, though many are open 24hrs.

Using coin laundries in Japan is quite simple once you get the hang of it. Enjoy having clean clothes!