If you’ve ever lived in or visited Japan, you might have noticed something curious: dryers in Japan are surprisingly rare. Despite being a highly advanced and tech-savvy nation, most Japanese households still rely on air-drying clothes rather than using electric or gas dryers. This custom, which may surprise many visitors, is deeply rooted in cultural practices, space limitations, environmental values, and economic considerations. In this blog, we’ll explore why dryers in Japan are uncommon, how the tradition of air-drying continues to thrive, and whether this will ever change.
Limited Space in Japanese Homes
One of the biggest reasons dryers in Japan are not common is the simple issue of space. Japanese apartments and houses, especially in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, are often small. Many kitchens are compact, bathrooms double as laundry rooms, and there is little space to fit a washer-dryer combo. Standalone dryers can take up too much valuable real estate in a home where every square meter counts.
Even in newer apartments that come with built-in washing machines, dryers are often not included. When you walk through Japanese neighborhoods, it’s not uncommon to see laundry hanging outside on balconies, even in urban high-rises.
Cultural Habits and Generational Norms
Another reason dryers in Japan haven’t become standard appliances is simply cultural habit. For generations, people have hung their laundry outside to dry. In Japanese culture, cleanliness and freshness are highly valued, and the smell of sun-dried clothes is considered a symbol of purity. Air-drying is seen not just as a necessity but also as a preferred way to ensure that clothes are truly clean and fresh.
Older generations continue this practice not just out of habit but because they genuinely believe it’s better. And since younger people often live with their parents well into adulthood, these habits are passed on.
Energy Costs and Efficiency
Japan has relatively high electricity costs compared to other countries. Using a dryer can significantly increase the utility bill, making it a luxury item for many. Since dryers in Japan are not considered essential, most families choose to save money and use the natural drying method instead.
Additionally, many Japanese washing machines are built for efficiency and use less water and energy. This environmentally conscious design extends to laundry practices. Hanging clothes outside to dry fits perfectly with Japan’s effort to be more energy efficient and eco-friendly.
Apartment Rules and Limited Outdoor Space
While dryers in Japan are rare, not all people have access to outdoor space for drying either. Many apartments have tiny balconies, and some rental properties have rules prohibiting clothes from being hung outside to maintain building aesthetics. In those cases, Japanese people often use an indoor drying rack or hang clothes in the bathroom. Many Japanese bathrooms are equipped with ventilation fans or even a built-in “drying mode” for this reason. It may not be a tumble dryer, but it serves a similar purpose in a smaller space.
The Rise of Bathroom Dryers
Interestingly, while traditional dryers in Japan are rare, bathroom dryers have become more common in new apartments. These are built into the ceiling and can blow warm air throughout the bathroom to help dry clothes hung from a bar. This hybrid solution helps people dry clothes indoors without using a full-sized dryer.
Still, these systems are limited in capacity and can take a while to fully dry thicker garments like towels or blankets. They are a helpful workaround, but they haven’t replaced the common sight of laundry on poles outside windows and on balconies.
The Impact of Humid Weather
Japan’s climate also plays a role. The country experiences high humidity in the summer and a rainy season called “tsuyu” in June and July. During these months, drying clothes outside can be challenging. However, rather than turn to dryers, many Japanese people use dehumidifiers, fans, or bathroom dryers to speed up the drying process indoors.
Even during the humid season, the reluctance to install full-scale dryers in Japan remains. This shows just how strong the cultural preference for air-drying still is.
Dryers Exist – But Mostly in Laundromats
While dryers in Japan are rare at home, they are easy to find in coin laundromats (called “コインランドリー” or “coin laundry”). These laundromats are popular for drying heavy items like futons, comforters, and thick towels—items that are hard to dry at home, especially in humid or rainy seasons.
It’s common for people to wash their clothes at home and then take them to a laundromat just to use the dryer. This further proves that while dryers are available, their use is still secondary to air-drying.
Will This Ever Change?
As lifestyles evolve and more young people live independently, some change might occur. Compact washer-dryer combos are becoming more common in electronics stores and high-tech home setups. But these machines are still expensive, and their drying function is often weak compared to traditional dryers in Western countries.
Furthermore, cultural habits die hard. Unless there’s a major shift in housing design or cost of living, dryers in Japan will likely remain a niche appliance.
Suggestions for the Future
If Japan were to encourage more use of dryers—perhaps for reasons of hygiene, time-saving, or convenience—there are a few suggestions worth considering:
- Develop energy-efficient, compact dryers tailored to Japanese apartments.
- Offer rental services for dryers, much like other appliances, for people who don’t want to commit to ownership.
- Promote public awareness around modern dryers that are more eco-friendly and cost-effective.
- Government subsidies or incentives to encourage modern appliance adoption could make a difference, especially for families with children.
But even with such steps, it’s clear that dryers in Japan face an uphill battle against tradition, space, and cultural preference.
Final Thoughts
Despite Japan’s modern technology and advanced consumer electronics, dryers in Japan remain surprisingly rare. The continued dominance of air-drying speaks volumes about the country’s values, climate, and cultural habits. While laundromats and bathroom dryers offer some alternatives, it’s unlikely the traditional balcony full of hanging laundry will disappear anytime soon.
Whether you’re moving to Japan, visiting for a short time, or just curious about cultural differences, this quirk of Japanese domestic life offers a fascinating look into how innovation sometimes yields to tradition. In the case of dryers in Japan, the sun and wind are still king.
