• Source:JND
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Japan human washing machine: In a development that blends retro inspiration with cutting-edge engineering, a Japan-made “human washing machine”, first showcased to massive queues at Expo 2025 in Osaka, has officially entered the commercial market.

The Osaka-based company Science Co. on Friday confirmed that its full-body automated bathing pod, known in Japanese as the Mirai Ningen Sentakki (“Future Human Washing Machine”), is now available for hotels, retailers, and even individual buyers.

What Exactly Is Human Washing Machine?

The device, a 2.3-metre-long pod, allows users to lie down, close a transparent lid, and undergo a gentle wash cycle that replaces scrubbing with high-pressure nozzles, fine mist showers, and microbubbles that cleanse the skin deeply. Expo 2025 visitors had waited for hours to try the prototype, which became one of the fair’s most talked-about attractions.

The Mirai Ningen Sentakki is a fully automated personal bathing pod designed to clean, exfoliate, and relax users without manual effort. Inside the capsule, roughly the size of a small bathtub, the user experiences:

• High-pressure water jets and microbubbles that remove dirt and dead skin

• A warm mist rinse system

• Biometric scans that adjust the wash cycle for comfort and safety

• Ambient music and soothing visual projections aimed at reducing stress

Science Co. claims the pod offers an experience that is “part bath, part spa, part health scan,” merging hygiene with wellness technology.

A Science Co. spokeswoman, Sachiko Maekura, said the company revived the concept shown at Osaka’s 1970 Expo. “Our president was inspired by that exhibit as a child. This new version doesn’t just wash the body, it aims to refresh the mind as well,” she said. The machine also incorporates biometric sensors to monitor heart rate and vital signs during the 15-minute cycle.

Hotels, Retail Chains Among Early Buyers

The first commercial unit has already been purchased by a hotel in Osaka, which plans to offer the futuristic bath experience to guests. Electronics retailer Yamada Denki has also signed on, hoping the rare attraction will boost footfall at select outlets.

Beginning December 25, a demonstration model will be on display at Labi’s Ikebukuro Main Branch in Tokyo. Visitors will be able to test the machine, likely while wearing bathing suits, similar to trial sessions at the Expo. The demonstration is expected to be free, although advance reservations may be required.

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Science Co. has said it will manufacture only about 50 units, citing the product’s niche appeal and the complexity of production. Japanese media reports place the retail price at around 60 million yen (approximately USD 385,000–400,000), excluding installation costs. Despite the price tag, interest appears strong, especially from luxury hotels, wellness centres, and overseas resorts that contacted the company after witnessing the prototype’s popularity.

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While the machine is far from a typical household appliance due to its cost, the company’s move to make it commercially available marks an unusual step toward futuristic home bathing. For now, the device remains a luxury novelty, but one that has already captured the global imagination.

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