How to Use a Japanese Air Conditioner
Most air conditioner remotes in Japan are labeled only in Japanese. This guide explains the basic buttons and practical settings.
Air conditioners installed in Japanese apartments usually have remotes labeled only in Japanese. The good news is that the main functions are simple, and once you learn the main buttons, they are easy to use.
Main remote buttons
- 運転/停止 or ON/OFF: Power
- 冷房: Cooling mode for summer
- 暖房: Heating mode for winter
- 除湿 or ドライ: Dehumidifying or dry mode, especially useful during the rainy season
- 送風: Fan only, with no temperature control
- 自動 or オート: Auto mode that switches settings based on room temperature
- 温度設定: Temperature adjustment with up and down buttons. Around 26–28°C in summer and 20–22°C in winter is common.
- 風量: Fan speed. Auto is usually fine.
- タイマー: Timer
Practical tips
Try not to set the cooling temperature too low. In Japan, 28°C is often promoted as an energy-saving summer standard. In some cases, keeping the air conditioner running at about 28–30°C while you are out can cost less than turning it off completely and cooling the room again later.
Filter cleaning
The filter should be cleaned regularly, usually once or twice a month. Open the front panel, remove the filter, and either vacuum off the dust or wash it with water. If you do not clean it, performance drops and bad smells become more likely.
Electricity cost
Air conditioners use a lot of electricity, so they affect your monthly bill. A six-tatami unit may cost roughly ¥5 to ¥15 per hour depending on the model and settings. In summer or winter, your electricity bill can easily reach ¥10,000 to ¥20,000 a month.