Suprisingly amazing toilets in Japan!
Written by Hafizah Khusni
Public restrooms (or also known as toilet) in Japan is not like any other country’s toilet. It is incredibly clean and advance. Once you get used using toilet in Japan it’s hard to go back.
TYPES OF TOILET IN JAPAN
There are two types of toilet in Japan, traditional Japanese-style toilet (和式トイレ) and Western-style toilet (洋式トイレ).
Traditional Japanese-style toilet is common at any public places; train stations, malls, temple, ryokan or even parks. Although nowadays the numbers are not as many as western-style toilets, they can still be found in most buildings. This type of toilet requires you to squat low to the ground which can be a challenge to some travelers especially those who come from the West. However similar type of toilet can be found in many Asia country.
While the western-style toilet is definitely an amazing innovation. Also known as washlet, it is designed to enhanced comfort, privacy and cleanliness. There are slight difference from one model to another, but here are some of the common buttons that you will find at some Western-style toilets.
•おしり(spray button) is used to wash your bottom.
•ビデ (bidet button) is for the ladies.
•乾燥 (dry button) functions just like hair dryer to your bottom.
•音姫 (flushing sound button) emits white noise that drowns out other sound. This is intended for your privacy.
COMMON FEATURES
Other than the common buttons mentioned above, toilets in Japan also have another advanced common features that will surely amazed you!
1.Heated seat
Most of washlet toilets have heated seat feature designed for your comfort especially during cold season.
2.Water temperature
The water temperature that comes out from the nozzle can be also be adjusted according to your favor.
3.Self-cleansing nozzle
Many will question about the cleanliness of the nozzles, but worry not as the water jet nozzle will only appear when you push the button and most toilets have self-cleansing nozzles.
4.Auto lid and seat
The most advanced toilet I’ve ever used in Japan is the one which has sensor to detect movements. It will open the lid when I entered the toilet and will close the lid itself automatically when I have finished and step away from the toilet.
5.Baby seat
Many public toilets especially ladies’ has baby seat placed either besides or in front of the toilet seats. So if you are a mom to small children, you can bring along your baby inside!
6.Multipurpose/priority toilet
Multipurpose toilet is designed for people with disabilities, but also for seniors, pregnant ladies and mothers with young children. Wide space to allow strollers and wheelchair to enter in addition to caregivers, equipped with handrails, diaper changing board, baby chair, sinks for cleaning ostmate bags, and emergency call buttons. Sometimes they also have automatic door openers – a green button to open and a red button to close, placed outside and inside of the toilet.
7.Make-up section/powder corner
Some of public restrooms in Japan provides separate space for the ladies to fix their make-up. Japanese has a custom to wash their hand cleanly after using the toilets, so with this ‘make-up section’ or also known as ‘powder corner’ they can fix their make-up without feeling disturbed or rushing by other person who wants to use the sink or mirror.
8.Urinals for little boys
Sometimes you will see small urinals inside a ladies restroom. Worry not, as this is intended to be use for young children who are accompanied by their mother.
9.Auto-flush
It is common to encounter toilet with auto-flush feature. A sensor will detect when you have finished and will automatically flushing when you stand up.
10.Mark icon
They used mark icon at the entrance of the toilet to let people knows what features do the restrooms provide. For example, in this picture each icons means:
•Baby seat is available
•Diaper changing station is provided
•Wheelchair accessible
•Small urinal for boys is available (inside the ladies restrooms)
MANNERS USING TOILET IN JAPAN
There are things that need to be followed when you use toilets in Japan. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts.
1.Alcohol sterilizer
Most of the toilet will have alcohol sterilizer attached to the wall either on your right or left. Take some tissues, fold and spray the sterilizer and wipe on the toilet lid before and after you use the toilet. This is one of their customs so that the next person can use a clean toilet.
2.Toilet slippers
Some of the public toilets especially in ryokan, public buildings, hotels and many more provide slippers for you to change with your shoes. When you enter the toilet leave your shoes behind and step in these slippers. They are being used only in the toilet and should not be worn outside the toilet.
3.Toilet paper
Used toilet paper need to be thrown into the toilet bowl and need to be flushed. Never throw used toilet paper at other places.
4.Don’t squat!
Never squat on the toilet seats! This will make the toilet seats dirty. The traditional-style toilets are designed for squatting but not the western-style toilets.
5.No smoking in toilet
I never found a public toilets that allows smoking while using the toilet. Most of public toilets in Japan doesn’t allow you to smoke in the toilet.
6.Thrash throwing
Maybe you are wondering about throwing other trashes too as I’ve mentioned about toilet papers need to be thrown into the toilet bowl. NO! Toilet paper is the only thing that can be thrown into the toilet bowl. Please throw other trashes into other designated dustbins outside the toilets (don’t forget to separate your trashes).
7.Dry toilet
Japan has a culture which their toilets need to be dry. For example, wet toilets are common in Malaysia while this is not common in Japan and is considered not hygienic for the Japanese. If you are using Japan’s public toilets and accidentally wetting the toilets (be it whether the floor, toilet seats or else) please wipe it dry before you leave the toilets.
Note: All pictures are taken at Aeon Mall Sano Shintoshi branch and Sun Route Hotel Sano.
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