34 Best Tried and True Japanese Bath Towels in 2022
1. Texture
2. Absorbency
We’ve gathered brands you’ll recognize (Nitori, MUJI) and those you won’t. We’ve got microfiber products, cotton products, organic and zero twist products. We bundled all these options together and ended up with a list of the best Japanese bath towels available online and in department stores.
Quick List - Top Japanese Bath Towels
The Best in Every Way: Absorbent, Soft, and Budget-Friendly
If You’re Looking to Pamper Yourself: Like Wrapping Yourself in a Marshmallow
The Most Practical of Them All: Sucks up a Lot of Water in Very Little Time
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How to Choose Japanese Bath Towels
① The Feel and Characteristics of Common Materials
For a Well-Balanced Towel: Cotton Has Everything from Absorbency to Softness
However, there are various types of cotton and they’re not all made equal. If you want them soft and fluffy, find out what kind of cotton was used, how long the fibers are (that is, whether they’re short or long staple, long staple being the softer and better choice), or at least where it was manufactured.
The following are cottons prized for their texture and quality.
High-Quality Cottons
- シーアイランドコットン: Sea Island cotton
- エジプト超長綿のギザ綿: Egyptian, especially extra long staple Giza cotton
- インド超長綿: Extra long staple Indian cotton
- 新疆綿の超長綿: Extra long staple Xinjiang Cotton
- スーピマコットン: Supima Cotton
For a Time-Saving Towel: Microfiber Absorbs Quickly and Dries Quickly
However–and you wouldn’t be able to tell by just looking at the cloth–each individual fiber is extremely sharp. If you were to scrub to hard with it, you’d damage your skin in the long run. You don’t want to use it if you’re sensitive and prone to irritation. Microfiber towels are also not very durable because the fine threads trap and retain bacteria.
※1 マイクロファイバー: microfiber
② Different Weaves and Their Merits
For a Softer Towel: Try Loop Pile, Zero Twist, or Sheared Cotton
- Loop Pile※2: The surface of the fabric is made of uncut loops of yarn. By adjusting the length of the loops or the angles at which they stand, manufacturers can alter the texture of the towel.
- Shearing※3: By cutting off the tops of cotton terry loops, manufacturers can ensure that the surfaces of their towels are smooth and even. This also allows each strand of cotton to bloom into finer fibers, resulting in a softer texture.
- Zero Twist※4: Lower-quality cotton usually has to be spun into threads before it’s sturdy enough to use. Zero twist weaves utilize stronger fibers that are unspun. The overall weave is therefore less dense and the towels lighter and fluffier. They’re also usually more absorbent, though fibers may fall out easier.
※2 ループパイル: loop pile
※3 シャーリング: shearing
※4 無撚糸: zero twist
For a Quick-Drying Towel: Look for Gauze or a Waffle Weave
Gauze is thin and breathable, but the weave is loose and can feel rough. Waffle towels also have no terry loops; instead, they feature bumps and grooves that facilitate airflow, which helps the fabric dry off quickly.
※5 ガーゼ: gauze
※6 ワッフル: waffle
For a Long-Lasting Towel: Go Hotel Style
Just FYI: hotel style towels may sound like they’d be plush, feel luxurious, and cost a fortune, but this isn’t necessarily the case. For a towel to be designated hotel style, it just needs to be substantial enough to withstand numerous washings without fraying or fading in color.
③ Measurements of Weight and Thickness
Not all brands use monme, however. If that’s the case, see if you can determine the towel’s weight in ounces. Usually, 8.8 – 14.1 ounces equates to 800 – 1200 匁.
Generally speaking, the thicker the towel, the more absorbent it’ll be (though, as we discussed earlier, absorbency is also swayed by cotton type and weave). Thicker towels also tend to be sturdier and more durable.
④ The Difficulties of Finding a Towel that is Both Soft and Absorbent
Of course, this formula can be tweaked by changing up the cottons used or switching out one kind of manufacturing process for another. But it’s best to figure out your priorities. If all you’re planning to do is towel yourself off after a shower, for example, you probably aren’t going to need something to guzzles water and can afford a bit of pampering.
⑤ Sizes that are Comfortable and Convenient
If you need something more compact for the kids or overnight bags, then something between 19.7 x 39.4 inches (50 x 100 cm) and 23.6 x 47.2 inches (60 x 120 cm) will do. If you’re looking for something more like a beach towel, then you want a larger towel around 31.5 x 59.1 inches (80 x 150 cm).
It might also be worth taking the size of your washing machine into account, especially if you don’t like having multiple loads. Regular capacities (12-16 lbs) may call for compact towels, whereas larger capacity machines (20 lbs and above) can handle any towel you throw at it.
34 Best Japanese Bath Towels Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nitori Zero Twist Bath Towel (Bacteria and Odor Resistant) | | The Best in Every Way: Absorbent, Soft, and Budget-Friendly | |
2 | UCHINO Bath Towel (Gokufuwa) | | If You’re Looking to Pamper Yourself: Like Wrapping Yourself in a Marshmallow | |
3 | HACOON Imabari Towel | | The Most Soothing of Them All: Fluff that Skates over Skin | |
4 | AEON STYLE HOME COORDY Soft Bath Towel | | The Most Practical of Them All: Sucks up a Lot of Water in Very Little Time | |
5 | 7-11 Super Soft Hotel Bath Towels | | The Best Towel to Use in a Pinch: Super Absorbent and Available in Convenience Stores All Across Japan | |
6 | Nitori Bath Towel (Fukkura) | | Worth Buying: If You Like Your Towels Thick, Fluffy, and Cheap | |
7 | Broome Imabari Bath Towel (Leon) | | Worth Buying: If You Need to Suck up Massive Amounts of Water All at Once | |
8 | Sodateru Towel Feel | | Worth Buying: Plush as Foam and Well-Designed. The Ultimate Gift | |
9 | Hotman One-Second Towel (Colored Bath Towel) | | Worth Buying: Light Towel that Can Drink a Lot of Water | |
10 | Broome Imabari Bath Towel (Natural Border) | | Worth Buying: Dense to the Point of Stiffness. Absorbent |
Nitori Zero Twist Bath Towel (Bacteria and Odor Resistant)
The Best in Every Way: Absorbent, Soft, and Budget-Friendly
It’s the only towel we tested that earned such high scores for both feel and absorbency. And it’s available for around 1,000 yen ($10) in Japan, so you have no excuse not to buy it.
If You’re Looking to Pamper Yourself: Like Wrapping Yourself in a Marshmallow
The towel was more than absorbent enough if all you’re planning to do is towel yourself off. Final thoughts? Luxury that’s worth the price.
The Most Soothing of Them All: Fluff that Skates over Skin
It was as absorbent as your usual run-of-the-mill towels–enough to dry you off after a bath. Get it if you need some extra TLC at the end of your hectic days.
The Most Practical of Them All: Sucks up a Lot of Water in Very Little Time
It didn’t feel luxurious or anything, but it was easy to use. And we still thought it was softer than your average drugstore selection.
The Best Towel to Use in a Pinch: Super Absorbent and Available in Convenience Stores All Across Japan
It also felt fine–the threads were smooth and elastic. It had a good amount of both thickness and density, which you’ll like if you aren’t a fan of towels that are all fluff.
Worth Buying: If You Like Your Towels Thick, Fluffy, and Cheap
It was more absorbent than most of its competitors. Here’s yet another towel that works, feels good, and will fit into your budget.
Worth Buying: If You Need to Suck up Massive Amounts of Water All at Once
The towel was a bit too thin to call fluffy. However, it felt smooth, dense, and very well made.
Worth Buying: Plush as Foam and Well-Designed. The Ultimate Gift
Hotman One-Second Towel (Colored Bath Towel)
Worth Buying: Light Towel that Can Drink a Lot of Water
Broome Imabari Bath Towel (Natural Border)
Worth Buying: Dense to the Point of Stiffness. Absorbent
hiorie High-Quality Hotel Style Bath Towels (Classy)
Worth Buying: Like Sinking into Clouds, but Use It Only to Towel Your Body Off
Worth Buying: If You Can’t Get Enough of the Silky Softness of Microfiber
Worth Buying: Feels and Performs a Bit Better than Average
Worth Buying: Scored Better than Average for Both Texture and Absorbency
CAINZ Dense and Sturdy Bath Towel (Absorbent)
Worth Buying: Overly Sturdy Towel that Inhales Tons of Water
Worth Buying: Felt and Worked Way Better than the Price Would Suggest
Worth Buying: The Towel You Want to Pack. Lightweight and Works
Worth Buying: A Thin, Smooth Towel that Actually Soaks up Water
Worth Buying: Pillow-Like Texture at a Reasonable Price
Worth Buying: If You Want a Dirt Cheap Towel that Feels and Works Just Fine
25. Sogo & Seibu Rich Twist Bath Towel
Doesn’t Quite Make the Cut: Texture Not Worth the Price
26. Seven Premium Bath Towel (Funwari Tsutsumikomu, Plain)
Doesn’t Quite Make the Cut: Doesn’t Soak up Water and is Only Decently Soft
Doesn’t Quite Make the Cut: Is Soft but Would Work Better as a Blanket than a Towel
Doesn’t Quite Make the Cut: Might Not be an Outright Fail, but Barely Does Its Job
Doesn’t Quite Make the Cut: Sturdy Build but Didn’t Glide Against Skin
Doesn’t Quite Make the Cut: Both Texture and Absorbency Left Something to be Desired
Doesn’t Quite Make the Cut: Has the Lightness of Gauze, but Doesn’t Function as a Towel
32. Tokyu Hands Aomori Hiba Antimicrobial Bath Towel
Doesn’t Quite Make the Cut: Towel that Feels Every Bit as Cheap as It is
Doesn’t Quite Make the Cut: One of the Thinnest Towels You Could Possibly Find
Doesn’t Make the Cut: Poor Quality and High Price Don’t Line up
It also absorbed less water than average. And at this price point, we’re sure you can find another towel that works and feels way better.
Three Tips to Keep Your Towel Soft and Fluffy
How to Keep Your Towels Soft and Fluffy
- Don’t overload your washing machine, and put the towel in a protective net.
- Use as much water when washing as possible.
- Before air drying your towel, give it 20 good shakes to get some air circulating through the pile.
We don’t recommend using softener. That’ll leave residue on the fibers of your towel, making them less absorbent.
Top 5 Japanese Bath Towels
No. 1: ｜Nitori Zero Twist Bath Towel (Bacteria and Odor Resistant)
No. 2: ｜UCHINO Bath Towel (Gokufuwa)
No. 3: ｜HACOON Imabari Towel
No. 4: ｜AEON STYLE HOME COORDY Soft Bath Towel
No. 5: ｜7-11 Super Soft Hotel Bath Towels
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.