Japan has a number of options available when looking for laundry services, which includes in-hotel services, coin operated machines (at laundromats, hostels, and ryokans), dry cleaners and washing machines within apartment rentals (such as Airbnb).

Using laundry services in a hotel or at a dry cleaner tends to cost the most, but are the most convenient and require little effort on the part of the customer. (Dry cleaners in Japan can take some time however – something to keep in mind.) However, for anyone wanting the cheapest way to get their laundry done, DIY will always be a winner, and all you need to do is find a coin-operated washing machine.

If you are staying in a hostel or ryokan that has coin-operated washing machines, then you are in luck! (And if this is a concern, you may wish to ask in advance whether your accommodations indeed have laundry services or not.) However, if you are staying somewhere which doesn’t have any then you may perhaps be wondering how to find a laundromat.

You can search online for “laundromat” and get some hits. A better search term, especially in a maps app, is “coin laundry” or “コインランドリー”.

However, another option is to search for a public hot spring (sento, or 銭湯 in Japanese) as laundromats are often located near them as people like to drop their laundry off and then go enjoy a hot bath! Most laundromats are open 24 hours, so you usually don’t need to worry about opening times.

Before going ahead and throwing your laundry in an empty washing machine, first you need detergent! Often you can buy detergent at the laundromat, but it can be more expensive then what you can buy elsewhere, which is an important consideration if you are on a budget.

Supermarkets and drug stores are options, but convenience stores are the easiest to find and are open 24 hours if you are doing your laundry late at night. They also stock detergent in a smaller size, which is perfect when you don’t need much.

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？)

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.

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.

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). If in doubt, ask the staff: Kore wa hyouhakuzai desu ka? / Does this contain bleach?

Once you have got your detergent, but again before going to the laundromat, make sure you have change. Washing machines accept 100 yen coins, so make sure you have enough for how many washes you want to do. The price can vary, and can be as low as 200 yen for one wash. To be safe, carry at least ten 100 yen coins with you.

First of all look out for machines with baskets on top of them; this indicates that someone is using the machine. If the washing machines come in different sizes then be sure to select the correct size for the laundry that you want to wash.

Unless there are instructions in English, or pictures, indicating otherwise, you normally just add the detergent with the clothes.

Shut the washing machine door securely.

In the coin slot, put in the correct number of coins. The machine will then start.

Unless you come across a particularly old washing machine, a timer will usually be displayed showing how long the cycle will take. Keep in mind that in Japan, washes are generally much quicker than in some other countries — typically only 20 to 40 minutes — and the machines may not always use hot water.

Laundry nets are very handy to use. Clothes with zippers can damage other items during a wash, so placing them in a net helps prevent this. They’re also great for protecting delicate fabrics. You can easily find laundry nets at 100 yen shops.

Unless you want to take a pile of wet clothing back to your accommodation you will need to use a dryer. Though, it is possible to find a washer dryer which can do everything.

Using a dryer is fairly straightforward. However, costs can vary from 100 yen for 10 minutes to 30 minutes.
1. Find an empty dryer – make sure you don’t fill it up too much.
2. Insert coins.
3. Close door.

Keep in mind that Japanese dryers aren’t always as powerful as Western ones, and doing multiple cycles can add up.

If you are staying in a flat then you will probably find the washing machine in the bathroom, but no dryer. Many modern apartments will have a clothes rack in the bath room – and a dryer in there as well. (If you will be staying at an apartment, be sure to ask ahead of time!)

Many Japanese also air-dry their clothes on the balcony. If you don’t have time for this, or space, then you may want to look for a laundromat to use a dryer.

Dryer 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.

Please be considerate when using a communal coin laundry. Sometimes you may find a machine where the wash or dry cycle has already finished, but the clothes are still inside. In such cases, it’s common for the next person to remove the clothes and place them in a basket provided in the shop.

Some coin laundries are equipped with a special washing machine and dryer for sneakers. You can fully enjoy sightseeing without worrying about your shoes getting dirty.

Most hotels offer laundry services, typically charging 1,000 yen or more per item. Budget hotels, hostels, and ryokans are more likely to provide coin-operated washing machines. Rooms usually come with a clothesline in the bathroom, which you can use to dry clothes if no dryer is available or if you want to reduce dryer use. Keep in mind that coin-operated machines can be busy during the day, so you may need to do your laundry later in the evening.

This can vary depending on where you stay. Some hotel receptions provide small packets of detergent for free, while others have vending machines that sell it (often at a higher price). A reliable alternative is to buy detergent at a convenience store, which can be found almost everywhere.

While summers in Japan are not only hot but also very humid, drying clothes indoors can take a long time and even lead to mold. It’s best to run your laundry through the dryer at least once before hanging it up. If you’re drying clothes in the bathroom, be sure to switch on the dehumidifier.

Some laundromats have special machines for washing and drying sneakers. To find one nearby, try searching with the term “コインランドリー スニーカー” (coin laundry sneaker). Instructions may or may not be in English, but the process is straightforward: place your sneakers in the washing machine, close the door, and insert coins (about 200 yen for 20 minutes is typical). The dryer is usually located above the washer — just hang your shoes on the built-in racks, close the door, and insert coins (generally from 100 yen for 20 minutes).

When you don’t understand Japanese, using a washing machine can feel nerve-racking if you’re worried about ruining your clothes. Fortunately, there are plenty of YouTube guides that explain how to operate Japanese washing machines. You can also check the "Remote Controls" link below for basic guidance. If you’re staying in an apartment, such as an Airbnb, be sure to ask the host for washing machine instructions.