A new innovation in personal care has arrived in Japan with the launch of the Mirai Human Washing Machine, created by the company Science Inc. The device was first showcased at the World Expo in Osaka earlier this year, and it is now officially available for consumers in the country.
The pod works like a fully automatic spa system that washes a person from head to toe within minutes. Users step inside, settle into a reclining seat and allow the machine to close around them. Once the session begins, the device uses microbubbles to cleanse the body, followed by a rinse and a drying cycle. The machine also plays soothing music throughout the process to create a relaxing experience.
A company spokeswoman, Sachiko Maekura, said the pod not only cleans the body but also “washes the soul.” The system monitors the user’s vital signs during the session to ensure comfort and safety. The complete process takes about fifteen minutes and requires no physical effort from the user.
The concept traces back to the 1970 Osaka Expo, when Sanyo Electric, now Panasonic Holdings, displayed an early version of the idea. Yasuaki Aoyama, Chairman of Science, was inspired by that prototype as a child and later revived it using modern technology. The updated version gained major attention again at the 2025 Osaka World Expo, leading to its commercial launch.
The machine measures 2.5 meters in length, 1 meter in width and 2.6 meters in height, providing enough space for users to lie comfortably inside. The microbubbles used are fine enough to reach pores and remove oil, dirt and dead skin. This form of advanced spa technology is already popular in Japanese salons and baths. Sensors inside the device track vital signs to prevent fainting or panic during use.
The machine comes with a high price tag, estimated at sixty million yen, which is about three hundred eighty five thousand dollars. Because of the cost, it is aimed at luxury spas, resorts, high end hotels, Japanese hot springs, theme parks and wellness centres rather than home users.
Science plans to produce only forty to fifty units, each built by hand. One unidentified Japanese hotel has already purchased the first unit, and several more have been reserved.
Although extremely limited, the device represents Japan’s interest in automated care systems that can support an aging population. It is seen as an early model for future automated bathing solutions. The company has said, “As the technology advances and mass production becomes more feasible, a more affordable home model may be released.”
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