Do you know what place surprises and impresses most foreign visitors to Japan?
Of course, there are famous sightseeing spots, breathtaking landscapes, tantalizingly delicious cuisine…there are many candidates, but the answer is somewhere closer to home.
What I would like to talk about are Japanese toilets, which everyone is sure to use at least once during their visit to Japan.
For those who have never experienced it, I would like to talk about the high quality and appeal of Japanese toilets, which I myself love.
The first thing that has to be mentioned is their high functionality.
Doesn’t it sometimes take a little bit of courage to sit down on a cold toilet seat on a cold winter’s day?
There’s no need to worry about such situations in Japan.
Most toilets have heated seats, which help keep your body warm!
I would like to have a round of applause for the toilets across Japan that work tirelessly to warm their seats and help keep everyone’s butts warm.
And instead of just wiping with paper when finished, the toilet does your work for you.
Most toilets have a built-in spray function that, at the push of a button, releases a spray of warm water for thorough cleaning. I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude to the toilet for going to such lengths on my behalf.
Some women’s restrooms make sounds like running water to muffle the noise of using the toilet, in order to make things easier for women who feel embarassed if other people hear the sound of them using the toilet.
I would like to send a letter of appreciation to restrooms that tackle even the most delicate issues and work hard to muffle bathroom noise.
I would also like to mention the cleanliness of toilets. In Japan it is believed that there is a god of toilets, and that cleaning your toilet to keep it neat and tidy will bring good luck. Not just the advancements of the toilet itself, but also the Japanese culture of maintaining a hygenic environment and cleaning even the parts not normally seen, are all part of the Japanese toilet experience.
The trays are always kept neat and clean, and the private rooms offer a comfortable space where you can relax, to the point that you could almost call it a small personal room. The restrooms to be found in department stores, commercial areas and hotels are especially worth seeing and are highly recommended.
They offer a service that transcends just the simple act of taking care of one’s business.
Toilets embody both Japanese technology and mentality. They are sure to welcome you with 5-star service, so please use them!
But just be sure not to get too relaxed and stay on the toilet for too long.