How much does it cost to do laundry at a coin laundry in Tokyo? Whether you’re a short-term visitor trying to budget, an expat settling into a small apartment, or just curious about how Japanese laundry pricing works, here’s a comprehensive breakdown for 2026.
Quick answer: A typical wash + dry cycle in Tokyo costs ¥600–¥1,000 (about $4–7 USD). Large items like futons cost ¥1,000–¥1,500 ($7–10 USD). Standalone dryers run ¥100 per 8–10 minutes.
Standard Wash Cycle Pricing
Wash machines in Tokyo are sized by load capacity. Pricing scales with size:
| Machine Size | Capacity | Price (yen) | Approx. USD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 5–7 kg | ¥300–500 | $2–3 | 1–2 days of clothes for one person |
| Medium | 8–10 kg | ¥400–600 | $3–4 | 3–4 days of clothes, or weekly for one person |
| Large | 12–14 kg | ¥600–900 | $4–6 | Family weekly wash, sheets and towels |
| Extra Large / Futon | 22 kg+ | ¥1,000–1,500 | $7–10 | Futon, large blanket, rugs |
Cycle times are typically 30–40 minutes for standard machines, 45–60 minutes for futon machines.
Dryer Pricing
Dryers in Tokyo are time-based. You pay for blocks of drying time, not by load:
| Type | Price | Approx. USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard dryer | ¥100 per 8–10 minutes | $0.70 | Most common |
| High-capacity dryer | ¥100 per 6–8 minutes | $0.70 | Larger drum, higher heat |
| Sneaker dryer | ¥100 per 15 minutes | $0.70 | Lower temperature |
To fully dry a standard wash load, expect to pay ¥300–500 in dryer time (30–40 minutes total).
Combined Wash + Dry Cycles
Many Tokyo coin laundromats now offer combined wash-and-dry machines, where the entire cycle (wash, rinse, spin, dry) happens in one machine without you transferring clothes:
| Size | Combined Wash+Dry | Approx. USD | Cycle Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (5 kg) | ¥600–800 | $4–5 | 50–70 min |
| Medium (10 kg) | ¥800–1,000 | $5–7 | 60–80 min |
| Large (14 kg) | ¥1,000–1,400 | $7–10 | 70–90 min |
Combined cycles save you from having to come back to switch machines, which is convenient if you’re working remotely from a nearby café.
Specialty Items
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Futon (Japanese bedding) | ¥1,000–1,500 wash, ¥500 dry | Use 22kg+ machine; allow 2 hours total |
| Comforter / down jacket | ¥800–1,000 wash + dry | Use medium / large machine |
| Sneakers | ¥200–400 per pair | Specialty machine, 30-min cycle |
| Rug / carpet (small) | ¥1,000–1,500 | 22kg+ machine if it fits |
| Blanket / large towel | Standard wash pricing applies | Use medium or large size |
Hidden Costs and Tips
1. Bill changers may charge
Some laundromats only accept 100-yen and 10-yen coins. If you only have ¥1,000 bills, look for the bill changer (両替機 — ryōgae-ki). Most are free, but some older ones may have a small surcharge.
2. Detergent is included
Unlike in some countries, Japanese coin laundries auto-dispense detergent and softener as part of the price. You don’t pay extra for them.
3. Specialty cycles cost more
Antibacterial wash, allergen rinse, and similar premium options add ¥100–300 to the base price.
4. IC card / e-money payment
Newer machines accept Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, and PayPay. Pricing is the same as cash.
How Tokyo Coin Laundry Pricing Compares
| Option | Per-Wash Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coin laundry | ¥600–1,000 ($4–7) | Fast, abundant, 24-hour | You go there |
| Hotel laundry service | ¥500+ per item ($3.50+) | Picked up & delivered | Extremely expensive for full loads |
| Pickup laundry service (e.g., Lenet) | ¥3,000–5,000 per bag | No effort, professional cleaning | 2–3 days turnaround, expensive |
| Self-laundry at apartment | ¥30–50 per wash | Cheap, convenient | Need machine, dryer often unavailable in Japanese apartments |
| Hand washing | ~¥10 | Free almost | Very slow, can’t handle bedding |
For most travelers and short-term residents, coin laundry is the sweet spot for cost and convenience.
Sample Weekly / Monthly Budget
If you’re planning out a budget for coin laundry use:
- Single tourist (1-week trip): 1 wash session ≈ ¥800. Total: ¥800 ($6).
- Solo expat (no in-unit machine): 1 weekly wash + dry ≈ ¥900. Monthly: ~¥3,600 ($25).
- Family of 3 (in-unit washer, occasional large items): 1 large machine visit per month for bedding ≈ ¥2,000. Total: ~¥2,000 ($14)/month.
- Futon-cleaning-only (seasonal): Twice a year, ¥1,500 each = ¥3,000 ($21)/year.
Where to Find Pricing for a Specific Location
Most Tokyo coin laundries post their pricing on the wall in Japanese. Look for:
- 料金表 (ryōkin-hyō) — Price list
- 洗濯 X kg ¥XXX — Wash X kg for ¥XXX
- 乾燥 X分 ¥XXX — Drying X minutes for ¥XXX
You can also browse our ward-by-ward listings to find specific laundromats with feature notes.
Bottom Line
For about ¥800 (≈ $6 USD), you can wash and dry a typical week’s worth of laundry in Tokyo. That’s significantly cheaper than hotel laundry services and faster than pickup services. For most international visitors and residents, coin laundromats are the best laundry option in Tokyo.
For step-by-step instructions on how to use the machines, see our complete guide. To find a coin laundry near you, browse our ward directory.
