August 10, 2026, 7:37 a.m. (JST)
[Japan] Hiten Japan (Tokyo, Japan) has released a coin-operated laundry model of “VALUE Cube,” an IoT solution that strongly supports the digital transformation (DX) of coin-operated laundry stores by integrating payment, sales management, and marketing functions.
While coin laundry operations have gained popularity in recent years as a side business or investment opportunity, they face challenges unique to unmanned stores, such as “the risk of coin jams and theft in change dispensers and payment terminals,” “the burden of regular cash collection,” and “fluctuations in utilization rates due to weather and day of the week.”
The newly released “VALUE Cube” for coin-operated laundries can be retrofitted to existing washers and dryers to support a variety of cashless payment methods. It also provides a one-stop solution that includes real-time sales management via the cloud and coupon distribution using the “LINE Mini App,” aiming to reduce the operational burden on owners and maximize revenue.
Prior to the product’s official launch, a proof of concept (PoC) using “VALUE Cube” will be conducted at “Jumbo Laundry Fuwafuwa,” a store operated by Trio Management Co., Ltd., which runs a chain of coin-operated laundromats.
The company, which operates multiple locations, plans to verify the product’s practicality and digital transformation (DX) benefits in actual store operations—including improved customer convenience through diverse cashless payment options, real-time monitoring of sales and operational status for each machine via the cloud, and promotional initiatives utilizing the LINE Mini App.
“VALUE Cube” supports a wide range of cashless payment methods (such as QR code payments) in addition to standard cash POS functions. This prevents lost sales from customers who do not carry change and enables smooth payments even in unstaffed environments. By reducing the use of coins—which are a common cause of equipment malfunctions—the system is expected to decrease the frequency of cash collection and minimize maintenance efforts.
It also visualizes the operational status and sales data for each machine in real time via the cloud. Owners can check sales figures at any time from a management dashboard on a PC or smartphone without having to visit the store, allowing them to optimize the timing of cash collection and cleaning.
Furthermore, the system utilizes a “LINE Mini App” that requires no new app downloads or membership registration. Users can start using the service simply by scanning a QR code from the LINE app they already use. Additionally, users can check machine availability on their smartphones before visiting the store and receive notifications via LINE or email when their laundry is finished, dramatically improving convenience for users.Store operators can reportedly distribute coupons in a timely manner during periods of low utilization (off-peak hours), ensuring customer retention and boosting sales.
Hiten Japan has long supported the transition to IoT and cashless systems for various unmanned devices, such as alcohol dispensing servers and vending machines in lodging facilities. In response to strong demand for a solution that “handles not only payments but also customer acquisition and management simultaneously,” the company developed this integrated product package.Going forward, the company plans to roll out this system to coin-operated laundromats and other locations nationwide, while also promoting digital transformation (DX) for all unmanned and labor-saving businesses facing challenges with cash management and customer retention. (paymentnavi Editorial Team)
