[2025] The Complete Guide to Tokyo’s Coin Laundromats: How to Use & Choose for a Long-Term Stay

Introduction: The “Neighborhood Laundry Room” That Will Save Your Trip

Hi! I’m Ken, the editor-in-chief of Tokyo Insider Guide.

You’re midway through your trip, and your suitcase is full of worn clothes… but the hotel’s laundry service is too expensive, and hand-washing is a hassle. This is a real problem everyone on a slightly longer trip to Japan faces.

At times like these, “secret bases” that can make your trip revolutionary comfortable exist all over the city. That is the Japanese coin laundry.

Clean, highly functional, and operating 24 hours a day, this place is more than just a space to do laundry. It’s a base camp for keeping your travel condition in top shape and an interesting spot where you can get a glimpse into real, everyday life in Japan. This article will perfectly guide you through your coin laundry debut!

Why Are Japanese Coin Laundromats a Traveler’s Best Friend?

• Outstanding Cost-Performance: A load of laundry that would cost thousands of yen for hotel service can be done for just a few hundred yen at a coin laundry. It’s the smart traveler’s choice.
• Incredible Time-Saving Features: With the latest large-capacity washer-dryers, you can go from washing to drying non-stop in about 60 minutes. You can efficiently get your laundry done in between sightseeing.
• Wash Bulky Items with Ease: You can wash bulky winter coats or clothes you bought mid-trip all at once in machines more powerful than home ones.
• Peace of Mind with 24-Hour Access: Most shops are open 24 hours a day. You can use them without worrying about the time, even if you return to your hotel late at night after a full day of fun.

Choosing a Shop: High-Tech vs. Retro? How to Find the Right Laundromat for You

Knowing that modern coin laundromats are largely divided into two types before you choose a shop will make the experience much more enjoyable.

Recommended for:

• High-Tech Shops: People who want to save time and effort, avoid using cash (and pay with IC cards). Many are stylish and have attached cafes where you can relax while you wait.

• Retro Shops: People who want to save as much money as possible, want to experience a traditional Japanese daily scene, and want to take nostalgic, atmospheric, “Instagrammable” photos.

Checkpoints for telling them apart:

• Exterior and Interior: Is it a clean, modern design, or does it have an old-fashioned, lived-in atmosphere?
• Payment Method: Are there terminals that accept IC cards or QR code payments, or is it mainly 100-yen coins and a change machine?
• Washing Machines: Are drum-type large “washer-dryers” the main feature, or are there separate “top-loading washers” and “standalone dryers”?
• Detergent: Is detergent automatically dispensed, or is there a vending machine that sells powdered detergent?

Step-by-Step: Your First Coin Laundry Manual

1. Step 1: Find a Shop
   First, open Google Maps and search for “coin laundry” or “laundry.” You’ll immediately find the nearest shop from your current location.
2. Step 2: Choose a Machine
   Once inside, choose a machine size that matches your amount of laundry. There are three types—”washer-dryer,” “washer only,” and “dryer only”—so choose according to your needs. For beginners, the all-in-one “washer-dryer” is by far the easiest.
3. Step 3: Load Your Laundry
   Put your laundry inside. If you stuff it too full, it won’t wash well, so aim for about 70-80% of the drum’s capacity.
4. Step 4: Pay and Start
   Pay the fee displayed on the machine. Pay using a method the machine accepts—cash (100-yen coins are standard!), IC card, etc.—select your course, and press the start button.
5. Step 5: Wait for it to Finish
   Check the finish time displayed on the screen. The door will lock, so it’s efficient to leave the shop and kill time at a nearby café or convenience store.
6. Step 6: Remove and Fold
   Return at the finish time and take out your laundry. Most shops have a communal table for folding. Fold your clothes there quickly to make space for the next person.

【Important】No More Confusion! A Guide to Buttons on Japanese Washing Machines

It’s okay if you don’t understand the Japanese on the control panel. With this chart, you’ll have the basic operations down perfectly.

Ken’s Insider TIPS: Know These and You’re a Regular!

• The 100-Yen Coin is Your Best Friend: Especially at retro shops, many machines only accept 100-yen coins. The first thing you should do when you arrive is secure enough 100-yen coins from the change machine.
• Is Detergent Automatic or Manual?: The newest shops almost always have automatic detergent and fabric softener. If you’re not sure, check for a sticker on the machine that says “洗剤自動投入” (automatic detergent dispensing).
• Bring a “Laundry Net”: This is a piece of Japanese wisdom for protecting delicate clothes and underwear. You can get one cheaply at a 100-yen shop (like Daiso), and having one is very useful when traveling.
• Be Punctual with Your Finish Time!: We Japanese are always conscious that someone else might be waiting. It’s an unspoken rule of etiquette to return to the shop on time and promptly remove your laundry.
• Getting a Receipt: If you need a receipt for business expenses, many machines have a receipt-issuing button, so have a look for it.

Ken’s Final Advice: Make Your Laundry Time a Travel Memory

A coin laundry is a magical place that temporarily transforms you from a tourist into a local resident. The sounds you hear while waiting for your clothes to finish are not the hustle and bustle of a tourist spot, but the real sounds of the city. That is surely a special Tokyo experience you won’t find in a guidebook.

I hope you take home not just fluffy, warm clothes, but also wonderful travel memories.

【Disclaimer】

The information in this article is current as of the time of writing. Prices and equipment may vary by store, so please check the local information before visiting.