There’s definitely something special about old Tokyo laundrettes. Their soapy smell is certainly a factor, but more than that it’s their wonderfully dated signs and retro details. Elements that hark back to a different time. An era that nowadays at least seems simpler and slower, making it easy to imagine the conversations that were had in such spaces. Also the books read rather than screens scrolled.
All of which is more than likely a rather romanticised ideal, but either way, these old and surprisingly resilient businesses are almost always interesting, so this is a selection from over the years, with all of them taken in Tokyo except the last one. A lovely little place that I simply couldn’t leave out.
Steve says
Great selection. Those socks! 🙂
Richard says
The vending machines, the yellow wallpaper, and the photo of the dog!! All very vintage and reminiscent of ‘the good old days.’
Thank you!!
cdilla says
A great collection and perspective. I’ve seen some slick laundrys which are spotless and app controlled, and some real dodgy ones, like that one in Osaka we came across with you, Lee, and seemed to have some kind of beef stew in it. But it is those between that shed light on the community. People drying washing when it is raining. Late night hosts/hostesses doing their washing at 3am, old folk in PJ’s using them. And all happy to leave their gear unattended while they go do other stuff. Although I wonder what that “Wanted Poster” is all about?
Gosha says
I found your blog from Derek Wessman’s. I am also a big fan of these coin laundries! The photos are lovely — especially the one on the street angle, with a bright red sign, little bench, and coke vending machine next to it. The scene is perfect, it could really be an illustration. Thank you for this post, going to follow on RSS.