Laundry Day

I've been told that in Japan a balcony is a utilitarian space rather than a place for relaxation. All the balconies are equipped with collapsible brackets to hold poles for drying laundry. My understanding is that most homes don't have clothes dryers and the dryers available are not designed to be vented outside like what I am accustomed to. During my Summer vacation I have enjoyed hanging my clothes to dry, it is a surprisingly quick process with the only downside being that my things end up a little bit stiff. I did rent a dryer, I tried it once, but I wont be using it again until it cools off around here. After a three hour drying time the most noticeable result was an already hot apartment turned into a sauna.