In a land renowned for innovative technology, are we justified in being stunned that they have the most complicated public toilets as well? Concentrating on comfort, cleanliness and even trying to ease embarrassment, Japanese toilets are miles beyond what most expect, though for any one living there, these should be fast turning into the norm.
Of course we can’t go into the health befits of the squat toilets from yesteryears that are still common here, but are actually not as leading edge as you’d hope from the Japanese. Those you’d find in other Asian states as well, often in villages though.
When it comes to a bit of creativity, it starts here by eliminating embarrassment. Talk about the discomfort of knowing somebody is in a stall next to you and can essentially hear you making some funny sounds; funny to them but embarrassing for you. Japanese tech folk have remedied this by creating a device commonly referred to as a ‘Sound Princess’. Found in just about all the newer public restrooms, the device, when turned on, literally sounds like a flushing toilet, drowning out any other sound that could be made when using the facilities. This makes sure that even the shyest of people can relax, knowing no-one can hear them.
What Japan truly has to supply in modern toilets industry, if you’d like to call it that, are the washlets with a variety of features to please everyone (yes, we are still talking toilets). The control panel for the Washlet might remind you of something you could see in a spaceship; these toilets may look standard, but are anything except normal.
A common feature on each is a bidet, which can be mixed with toilet paper, or used on its own to wash anything and everything. Most have two nozzles, with adjustable water pressure to each area, delicately cleaning without being uncomfortable. Many Washlets have built in dryers, making toilet paper unnecessary. Comfort doesn’t stop here though, with heaters attached, cold seats are a thing of the past. Some models even have automated lid opening, closing and flushing, catering to males and females with the push of a button.
Making those certain trips to the loo isn’t welcomed by anyone, but Eastern have made all of it an experience worth trying. The only main problem that most visitors face in these toilets is the language barrier. The control panels have Eastern instructions and once seated getting up can become hard. There’s no query though that these toilets are catching up in the rest of the world as well, even the hi-tech man in black, Will Smith, when building his home got the Japanese to offer his toilets.
Thinking about traveling outside of the country? Famouswonders.com can help you decide where to go on your next vacation, or you can view Ginza at Night Tokyo.
