Laundry Survival Guide for Japan’s Rainy Season (“Tsuyu” in June-July)
When It Rains Every Day for a Month
If you visit Japan roughly between early June and mid-July, you will encounter “Tsuyu” (梅雨), the rainy season. It doesn’t just rain; the humidity is extremely high, reaching 80-90%.
During this period, trying to dry clothes by hanging them inside your hotel room is a recipe for disaster.
The Danger of Room Drying During Tsuyu
Because the air is already saturated with moisture, clothes will not dry properly. They will remain damp for days, leading to a horrible, musty “namagawaki” (生乾き – damp-dry) smell that is very hard to remove. Mold can also grow quickly.
The Solution: Gas Dryers at Coin Laundries
The only reliable way to get dry, fresh clothes during Tsuyu is to use a coin laundry. The industrial-strength gas dryers use high heat that ignores the outside humidity.
Even if you hand-wash socks in your room, take them to a coin laundry just for drying (about 100 JPY for 10 minutes). The high heat will also kill bacteria that cause odors. Don’t fight the humidity; use technology to beat it!
