Hotel Laundry Service vs. Coin Laundry: Which is Better for Tourists in Japan?
The Dilemma: Convenience or Cost?
When your laundry bag gets full, you usually have two main options in Japan: use the hotel’s laundry service or find a self-service coin laundry. Which should you choose? Here is a comparison.
1. Hotel Laundry Service (Valet Service)
- Pros: Ultimate convenience. Just put clothes in a bag, fill out a form, and leave it in your room. They come back pressed or folded.
- Cons: Very expensive. It often costs 500-1,000 JPY per item (e.g., one shirt). It also takes time (often returned the next evening).
2. Coin Laundry (Self-Service)
- Pros: Much cheaper. You can wash and dry a whole load (several days’ worth of clothes) for about 800-1,200 JPY total. It’s fast, finishing in about 60-90 minutes.
- Cons: You have to do it yourself and wait for it to finish.
Conclusion: The Winner is…
For most tourists wanting to save money and time, the Coin Laundry is the clear winner. The modern machines in Japan are highly efficient. Save the expensive hotel service for perhaps one special dress shirt or a suit that needs professional pressing.
