Japanese toilets can shock you in many ways if you are not prepared.
There is one place you will go to several times a day, whether you are at home or traveling.
That’s the toilet.
Almost all toilets in Japan are well taken care of and kept clean so that visitors can feel as comfortable as possible.
In general, you don’t have to pay to use a toilet, and toilet paper is ‘almost’ always there.
But yet, there are still times when the Japanese can make something as fundamental as a toilet confusing.
So, let’s get going.
Where Can You Find Toilets in Japan?
Most places to visit and travel in Japan have a public bathroom.
It’s not a stretch to say that there will always be public toilets in places like the:
- airport
- train stations
- hotels
- shopping malls
- parks
- tourist spots
Even grocery stores and convenience stores have public restrooms.
Depending on the type of facility, it might be best to ask permission to use the toilet in some of them.
So please say something before you go.
Types of Toilets
Squat
Squat toilets are still commonly used in Japan, especially in rural and traditional areas.
This type of toilet requires you to squat down instead of sitting on it.
Squat toilets can be difficult for some people to use and may not be the most comfortable option, but they do have their advantages.
They help promote good posture and take up less space in small bathrooms.
Western-style toilets
Western-style toilets are becoming increasingly popular in Japan and can be found in some public restrooms.
They tend to have a higher seat than the Washlet style toilets, making them more comfortable for taller people.
The flushing mechanisms are also typically quite different from their Japanese counterparts
What’s more, they often feature more powerful flushes that don’t require manual refilling.
Washlets
Japanese-style toilets, called Washlets, are the most common type of toilet in Japan.
This type of toilet combines a regular bowl-shaped seat with advanced features like:
- heated seats
- deodorizers
- and even music to cover up any embarrassing noises you might make.
Other features include:
- Adjustable water pressure levels for cleansing yourself
- and even a blow dryer to make sure you don’t leave the restroom feeling damp.
The Flush
A flushing sound may be played from the wall of a stall or from a speaker in the washlet on many modern toilets.
This feature is becoming more common.
You may activate the sound by pushing a button shaped like a musical note or by waving your palm in front of a sensor.
This will cause the sound to begin playing, which will mask any embarrassing sounds you may make while you are using the restroom.
Bathroom Etiquette
Much of Japanese culture is about separating things that are considered dirty from things that are considered clean.
And this is reflected in the way people act in the bathroom.
This is especially clear in the case of toilet slippers, which are a separate pair of slippers or shoes that are only worn in the bathroom.
The idea is to keep clean and dirty things from coming into contact as much as possible by only letting slippers be worn in the bathroom.
Japanese toilet slippers can be found in homes, hotels, and even public restrooms on occasion.
Pay close attention, and don’t forget to put on your non-bathroom slippers when you’re done using the bathroom so you don’t get dirty slippers on clean floors.
An understanding of The Japanese Toilet
Don’t be intimidated by the toilet’s many buttons and functionalities.
They are available to assist you.
Sitting:
First and foremost, some toilets are so advanced that the seat opens as soon as you enter the bathroom.
Some toilets even include heating elements that warm the seat while you sit.
Do your business:
No images or descriptions are necessary here.
Functions for washing:
You may have a variety of methods to clean yourself depending on the kind of toilet you have.
In general, you’ll notice the bidet function which may be modified depending on the gender of the person using the toilet.
In addition, this will significantly change the direction of the cleaning.
Toilet Paper:
If you wish to use toilet paper, it’s available, but make sure you just use the paper that’s provided and don’t flush anything else.
When it comes to flushing, Japanese toilets vary somewhat from toilets built in the West.
Some toilets allow you to select between a large and small flush, while others are designed to flush themselves.
There may even be a sensor on more modern toilets that requires you to put your palm over to work.
Before You Go
It’s easy to get scared when you see all the buttons on Japanese toilets.
And I’ll never forget when my friend’s son pushed a button while standing up and had water squirt him in the face.
Or the time my friend used my toilet and did not know how to flush away the evidence.
They did not have this guide then though.
So, happy crapping.
