Don’t drag huge suitcases across Japan. Here is the secret to packing light and staying fresh during your Tokyo trip.
Planning a 10-day trip to Japan? You are probably staring at your open suitcase, wondering how to fit enough clothes for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Here is the reality check: Traveling in Japan with giant luggage is a nightmare. Dragging heavy bags through crowded Shinjuku Station, lifting them over ticket gates, or trying to fit them on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) can ruin your mood instantly.
Plus, if you are visiting in summer, the humidity is intense. You will sweat, and you will want to change your shirt twice a day.
So, how do savvy travelers survive? They don’t pack more; they wash more. But forget about expensive hotel laundry services or hunting for coin laundromats in dark alleys. The secret is booking a hotel with a washing machine inside your room.
In this guide, I’ll explain why in-room laundry is the ultimate travel hack and introduce the best apartment hotels in Tokyo to make it happen.
The Verdict: The Best Way to Stay Fresh
Source：Minn Official Website
For busy travelers, here is the bottom line. To travel light and stress-free, skip the standard business hotels with shared laundry rooms. Choose an Apartment Hotel like Minn. Most rooms come with a private washer/dryer combo, allowing you to wash your clothes while you sleep and wake up with a fresh wardrobe.
【Official】Check Out Minn’s Rooms & Atmosphere
(Features: In-room washer/dryers, kitchens, and spacious suites. Perfect for long stays.)
Why “In-Room” Laundry Beats “Shared” Laundry
Source：Minn Official Website
Many hotels advertise “laundry facilities,” but this usually means a room in the basement with 3 machines for 200 guests. Here is why having your own machine changes everything.
1. No More “Laundry Camping”
In standard hotels, shared machines are often full. You end up walking down to the lobby in your pajamas at midnight, only to find someone else’s clothes sitting in the washer.
- The In-Room Advantage: It’s your machine. Start it whenever you want—before breakfast, after a shower, or while you’re out for dinner. Zero waiting.
2. No Coins Needed
Japan is still a cash-heavy society, and many shared machines only take 100-yen coins.
- The In-Room Advantage: No scrambling for change. Just press the button.
3. Total Privacy & Security
Leaving your expensive activewear or delicates in a public machine can feel unsafe.
- The In-Room Advantage: Your clothes stay in your locked room. It’s safe, hygienic, and private.
3 Rules for Choosing a Hotel with Laundry
Not all machines are created equal. Ensure your hotel checks these boxes:
1. It Must Have a “Dryer” Function
This is crucial. In Japan’s humid climate, hanging wet clothes in your room means they might not dry for 2 days (and they will smell musty).
- The Fix: Look for a Drum-type Washer/Dryer Combo. You put dirty dry clothes in, and take clean dry clothes out. It’s magic.
2. Is Detergent Included?
Buying a whole box of detergent for a short trip is annoying.
- The Fix: Top-tier apartment hotels often have machines with Auto-Dosing (detergent is added automatically) or provide single-use packets.
3. Is There Space to Relax?
Doing laundry takes time (usually 2-3 hours for a full wash/dry cycle).
- The Fix: You don’t want to sit on a bed listening to the machine spin. Choose an apartment hotel with a Living Room and Kitchen so you can relax, eat, or work while the machine does the chores.
Why “Minn” is Tokyo’s Best Choice for Long Stays
Source：Minn Official Website
If you want the convenience of home with the quality of a hotel, Minn is the top recommendation. Here is why long-term travelers and families love it:
1. In-Room Washer/Dryers (The Real Deal)
Most Minn rooms feature high-quality drum washer/dryers.
- The Benefit: You can pack for 4 days even if you are staying for 14. This leaves massive space in your suitcase for souvenirs (like KitKats and ceramics!).
- The Return Trip: Wash everything the night before you leave. You go home with a suitcase full of clean clothes, not a pile of dirty laundry.
2. Save Money with the Kitchen
While the laundry spins, you can use the in-room kitchen.
- The Benefit: Instead of expensive room service, buy fresh sushi or Wagyu beef at a supermarket and enjoy a private dinner. It helps balance your budget for the rest of the trip.
3. Space for the Whole Family
Minn suites accommodate up to 8 people.
- The Benefit: If you are traveling with kids, you know they are stain magnets. Having a washer means you don’t need to pack 3 outfits per day for them.
【Official】Book Minn Here for the Best Rates
Best Locations for Laundry-Equipped Stays
Location matters. Here is where to base yourself in Tokyo:
Ueno & Asakusa Area (Minn Ueno / Minn Asakusa)
- Best For: Travelers arriving via Narita Airport (Skyliner).
- Why: Historic downtown vibe with plenty of supermarkets and shopping streets nearby to buy supplies.
Nihonbashi Area (Minn Nihonbashi)
- Best For: Shinkansen travelers.
- Why: Walking distance to Tokyo Station. Perfect for business travelers or those heading to Kyoto next.
Kasai Area (Minn Kasai)
- Best For: Disney Resort visitors.
- Why: Kids get sweaty and dirty at theme parks. Being able to wash their costumes and clothes immediately is a lifesaver for parents.
Real Traveler Reviews
Here is how guests are using Minn to travel smarter:
- The Disney Family: “Our kids spilled ice cream on their shirts at Disney. We washed them that night at Minn Kasai, and they were ready to wear again the next morning!”
- The 2-Week Traveler: “I stayed at Minn Nihonbashi for 10 days. Being able to wash my socks and shirts daily meant I only brought a carry-on bag. Navigating the trains was so easy without a huge suitcase.”
What is an Apartment Hotel?
Source：Minn Official Website
For those new to the concept: It is a fully licensed facility that combines hotel cleanliness with apartment amenities (Kitchen, Laundry, Living Room).
- Why it wins: It solves the practical problems of travel (laundry, food, space) that standard hotels ignore.
Verdict: Pack Light, Travel Happy
Source：Minn Official Website
Don’t let your luggage weigh you down. By choosing a hotel with in-room laundry like Minn, you gain freedom. You move faster, stress less, and always look fresh.
Rooms with washer/dryers are in high demand.
【Official】Minn Reservations | Experience a “Stay as You Live” Style
(Select from Ueno, Asakusa, Nihonbashi, and more. Look for the “Washing Machine” icon.)