How to Use Your Japanese Dryer (Combo, Rinnai Gas & Bathroom Dryer) – Saki Corporation

Summary:
Drying laundry in Japan can look very different from what you may be used to. Most rentals come with one (or both) of the following: a combination washer-dryer with a 乾燥 (kansō / dry) cycle, a standalone Rinnai gas dryer (乾太くん / Kanta-kun) — by far the most common standalone unit in Japanese homes, or a bathroom dryer (浴室乾燥機) built into the ceiling of the bath/shower room. This guide explains how to operate each type, what the buttons mean in Japanese, and how to clean and maintain the lint filter so your dryer keeps running efficiently.

🌀 1. Identify Your Dryer Type

Before you start, check which kind of dryer you have. The operation and maintenance differ for each:

Combination washer-dryer (洗濯乾燥機 / sentaku kansōki) — the most common in modern apartments. A single front-loading or top-loading machine handles both wash and dry cycles.
Standalone Rinnai gas dryer (乾太くん / Kanta-kun) — Japan's most common home dryer. A separate gas-powered unit mounted on a stand above the washing machine.
Bathroom dryer (浴室乾燥機 / yokushitsu kansōki) — a ceiling unit in the bath/shower room that dries clothes hung on a rod, and also serves as a heater, cooler, and ventilator.

⚡ 2. Using a Combination Washer-Dryer (Electric)

A typical Japanese combination washer-dryer control panel.

2.1 Power On

Press the 電源 (dengen / Power) button, or the button marked 入 (iri / On). On some models the same button toggles 入／切 (on/off).

2.2 Load Clothes

Open the door or lid and load your clothes. Do not overfill — leave roughly 20% of the drum empty so air can circulate during drying.

2.3 Add Detergent

Pour 洗剤 (senzai / detergent) into the main compartment and 柔軟剤 (jūnanzai / fabric softener) into the softener compartment if desired.

2.4 Choose a Mode (Dry-Only vs. Wash & Dry)

To select the drying function, press the mode-switch button — usually labeled 運転切替 (unten kirikae / switch operation) or 洗・乾切替 (arai-kan kirikae / wash-dry switch). Common options:

洗濯 (sentaku) — Wash only
洗濯 → 乾燥 (sentaku → kansō) — Wash, then dry automatically
乾燥 (kansō) or 乾燥のみ (kansō nomi) — Dry only (use this for clothes that have already been washed)

2.5 Choose a Drying Course

Press the コース (kōsu / course) button to cycle through drying options:

標準 (hyōjun) — Standard
お急ぎ / 急ぎ (oisogi / isogi) — Quick
毛布 (mōfu) — Blanket
送風乾燥 (sōfū kansō) — Air-dry / no-heat tumble
除湿乾燥 (jōshitsu kansō) — Dehumidify dry (gentle, longer)

2.6 Set the Drying Time (Optional)

If your machine asks for a duration, use the 時間 (jikan / time) button or arrow keys to set the minutes (分 / fun). Most loads need 90–180 minutes.

2.7 Start

Close the door firmly and press スタート / 一時停止 (sutāto / ichiji teishi) — Start / Pause. The cycle will begin. To pause mid-cycle, press the same button again.

💡 Tip: A full wash + dry cycle on a Japanese combo machine typically takes 2 to 3 hours. Plan ahead — these machines dry slower than North American dryers because they use lower heat to protect fabrics and save electricity.

🔥 3. Using a Standalone Rinnai Gas Dryer (乾太くん / Kanta-kun)

The Rinnai 乾太くん (Kanta-kun) — Japan's most common standalone home gas dryer.

The Rinnai 乾太くん (Kanta-kun) is by far the most popular standalone dryer in Japanese homes. Unlike electric combo units, it runs on gas, which means it dries clothes much faster (a typical 5 kg load takes only about 50–60 minutes) and at a lower running cost. It is usually mounted on a metal stand or shelf directly above the washing machine, with a dedicated gas line.

The Rinnai 乾太くん control panel — fewer buttons than a combo washer-dryer.

Step-by-Step

Confirm the gas valve is open. There is usually a small gas tap on the wall behind or beside the dryer — the handle should be in line with the pipe.
Open the door and transfer your spun-dry clothes from the washer. Do not put dripping-wet clothes in — give them a spin cycle first.
Press 電源 (dengen / power) to turn the dryer on.
Select a drying course by pressing the コース or 乾燥モード button:
- 標準 (hyōjun) — Standard drying (most loads)
- 厚物 (atsumono) — Thick items (jeans, towels, hoodies)
- デリケート (derikēto) — Delicate / low heat
- 送風 (sōfū) — Air only, no heat (for refreshing clothes)
Set the time using the 時間 button. Standard loads need about 50–60 minutes; thick items may need 80–90 minutes.
Close the door firmly and press スタート (sutāto). You will hear the gas igniter click and the drum will start tumbling.
When the cycle ends, the machine beeps. Remove clothes promptly to prevent wrinkling.

⚠️ Important — Gas safety: Never block the exhaust vent on the back of the Rinnai dryer, and never run it with the gas valve closed (the unit may display an error and lock out). If you smell gas, turn off the gas tap immediately, ventilate the room, and submit an urgent maintenance request — do not use the dryer until it has been inspected.

💡 Tip: The Rinnai 乾太くん has a maximum capacity of 5 kg, 6 kg, 8 kg, or 9 kg depending on the model (the number is in the model code, e.g. RDT-54S = 5 kg, RDT-63T = 6 kg). Check the label on the front and don't overload — clothes need room to tumble for the gas heat to circulate.

🔤 5. Translation Cheat Sheet — Dryer Buttons

Japanese	Romaji	English
電源	dengen	Power
入／切	iri / kiri	On / Off
スタート／一時停止	sutāto / ichiji teishi	Start / Pause
乾燥	kansō	Dry
乾燥のみ	kansō nomi	Dry only
洗濯 → 乾燥	sentaku → kansō	Wash, then dry
洗・乾切替	arai-kan kirikae	Switch wash / dry mode
送風	sōfū	Air-only (no heat)
除湿	jōshitsu	Dehumidify
標準	hyōjun	Standard
お急ぎ	oisogi	Quick
厚物	atsumono	Thick items
仕上げ	shiage	Finish / fluff
毛布	mōfu	Blanket
時間	jikan	Time
分	fun	Minute(s)
予約	yoyaku	Timer / Reservation
暖房	danbō	Heater (bathroom dryer)
涼風	ryōfū	Cool air (bathroom dryer)
換気	kanki	Ventilation (bathroom dryer)
フィルター	firutā	Filter
お手入れ	oteire	Maintenance / cleaning

🧹 5. How to Clean the Lint Filter

The lint filter (糸くずフィルター / 乾燥フィルター) sits behind a small flap inside the door or near the top of the drum.

Cleaning the lint filter after every drying cycle is the single most important thing you can do to keep your dryer working. A clogged filter dramatically increases drying time, raises your electricity bill, and can trigger error codes that stop the machine entirely.

You can use this guide below to follow step by step:

For a Combination Washer-Dryer (Drum Type)

Step 1: Locate the 乾燥フィルター flap on the inner rim of the door or at the top of the drum.

Make sure the drum has cooled down (wait 5–10 minutes after the cycle ends).
Open the main door. Locate the small flap labeled 乾燥フィルター (kansō firutā / drying filter) — usually on the inner rim of the door or at the top of the drum opening.
Pull the filter straight out. There are typically two filters stacked together — separate them.

The two filters separate — clean both sides thoroughly.

Remove the lint by hand or with a soft brush. For stubborn lint, rinse under warm running water.
Dry the filter completely with a towel before reinserting — installing a wet filter can cause the next cycle to fail.
Snap the filters back together and slide them into the slot until they click.

For a Top-Loading Washer with Dry Function

The 糸くずフィルター sits in a small mesh pocket on the inner wall of the tub.

Open the lid and look for the small mesh pocket on the inner wall of the tub — this is the 糸くずフィルター (itokuzu firutā / lint filter).
Lift it out by the tab.
Empty the lint into the trash, rinse the mesh under running water, and replace it.

For a Rinnai 乾太くん (Kanta-kun) Gas Dryer

The Rinnai filter sits in a vertical slot at the bottom front of the door opening.

The Rinnai filter is the easiest of all to clean — and it must be cleaned after every single load for the dryer to work properly.

Open the dryer door. The lint filter is located at the bottom front of the door opening, sitting in a vertical slot.
Pull the filter straight up and out by the plastic tab.
Peel off the lint sheet by hand — it usually comes off in one piece, like a felt sheet. Discard in the trash.
If the mesh is still dirty, rinse the filter under warm running water and let it air-dry completely.
Slide the dry filter back into the slot until it sits flush.

⚠️ Critical: Running the Rinnai dryer with a clogged filter is the #1 cause of "clothes still damp" complaints, and over time can trigger an error code that stops the unit from igniting. Always clean it before the next load.

🧼 7. General Maintenance Schedule

Task	Frequency
Clean lint filter (combo washer-dryer / Rinnai gas dryer)	After every drying cycle
Clean lint filter (washer-only)	Once a week
Clean bathroom dryer ceiling filter	Once a month
Wipe drum and door seal with a dry cloth	Once a week
Run a tub-clean cycle (槽洗浄 / sōsenjō) with washing-machine cleaner	Once a month
Leave door slightly open after each cycle	Always

🛠️ 8. Troubleshooting

Clothes still damp after a full cycle — Filter is likely clogged. Clean it and run a 30-minute additional 乾燥 (kansō) cycle.
Machine displays an error code (e.g., U11, U12, C01) — Note the code and contact maintenance. U-codes usually mean the lint filter or drain is blocked.
Burning smell — Stop the machine immediately, unplug it if possible, and submit a maintenance request. Do not run another cycle.
Machine won't start — Check that the door is fully closed, the power plug is connected, and (for washer-dryers) the water tap on the wall is open.
Bathroom dryer not blowing warm air — Confirm 乾燥 mode is selected (not 換気). If the unit hums but no air flows, the filter is fully blocked.

💡 Tip: If an error code persists after cleaning the filter, please submit a maintenance request and include the model number (printed on a sticker inside the door or on the side of the unit) along with the exact error code shown on the display.

📞 Need Help?

If your dryer is not working after following the troubleshooting steps above, please submit a maintenance request. Include:

The dryer type (combo washer-dryer, Rinnai 乾太くん, or bathroom dryer)
The brand and model number
Any error code shown on the display
A short description of the issue (and a photo if possible)