Kids Mean Laundry. Lots of It. Traveling with children is amazing, but it also means juice spills, mud stains, and endless piles of dirty clothes. Washing them in a hotel sink is impossible. For families, Japanese Coin Laundries are a lifesaver. Here is the strategy. Use the “Large” Machines (20kg+) Most laundromats have different sizes…
Don’t Ruin Your Swimsuit! If you visit Okinawa, Enoshima, or try an Onsen (hot spring), you will have a wet swimsuit. The salt from the ocean and the chlorine from pools can damage the fabric (spandex/lycra) if left unwashed. However, you must be careful with coin laundries. The Golden Rule: No Heat! Swimwear is made…
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…
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) 2. Coin Laundry (Self-Service) Conclusion: The Winner is… For most tourists…
For Just a Few Items, You Don’t Need a Laundromat If you only need to wash one pair of socks or underwear, going to a coin laundry can feel like too much trouble. For small items, hand-washing in your hotel room is a good option. Step-by-Step Hotel Hand-Wash The “Towel Roll” Drying Trick (Important!) Don’t…
More Than Just Heat: The “Muggy” Problem If you are visiting Japan between June and September, prepare yourself for intense humidity. It is not uncommon to be completely soaked in sweat within 10 minutes of stepping outside. In this climate, your laundry strategy is crucial. Letting sweaty clothes sit in your suitcase for days will…
The Burden of Heavy Luggage Japan is a wonderful country to explore, but it is not always friendly to large, heavy suitcases. You will face many stairs at train stations, crowded trains during rush hour, and compact hotel rooms. The biggest mistake first-time visitors make is overpacking. Do you really need 14 T-shirts for a…
