Squat vs. Western-Style Toilets in Japan: What to Expect
When traveling to Japan, you will encounter two main types of toilets: Western-style toilets and squat toilets (traditional Japanese toilets).
While more places are converting to Western-style toilets, considering tourists and the elderly, you can still find Squat toilets in certain public facilities, older buildings, and rural tourist spots. Knowing the difference is important, as you might find yourself needing to use one during your travels.
Using a squat toilet, especially for those unfamiliar with it, can seem tricky at first, but it’s straightforward once you understand the process.
Most squat toilets have a raised part at the back, which is the direction you should face. Your back should be towards the door or the lower part of the toilet bowl.
Squat down so that your knees are bent and your buttocks are over the toilet bowl. Make sure your clothes (especially pants or skirts) are pulled out of the way so they don’t get dirty.
Stay in the squatting position while using the toilet. Make sure your feet are flat and stable to maintain your balance.
No Seat Covers in Japan: How to Keep Things Sanitary
In the United States, it’s common to find toilet seat covers in public restrooms. However, in Japan, you will rarely see these. Instead, many restrooms provide alcohol spray for disinfecting the seat before use.
Spray some alcohol spray on toilet paper and clean the seat before use.
Drying Your Hands: The Importance of Carrying a Towel in Japan
After washing your hands in Japan, you might notice the absence of paper towels. Instead, most restrooms are equipped with hand dryers.
It’s common practice in Japan to carry a small hand towel for this purpose. If you don’t like using hand dryers, bringing your own towel is highly recommended.
Finding the Flush Button: A Quick Guide
I can’t find the flush button…!
Japanese toilets are known for their multifunctional features, which can sometimes make it challenging to locate the flush button.
Look for a symbol with water or a button marked with the kanji for “flush” (流す). The flush button might be located on the wall or on a control panel attached to the toilet.
What is ‘Otohime’ and Why It’s a Popular Feature in Japanese Restrooms
One unique feature of Japanese restrooms is the Otohime, a device that produces a sound to mask any noises you might make. This sound masking device is designed to enhance privacy and is especially appreciated in public restrooms.
“Otohime” (音姫) means “sound princess”. It can be pronounced “ō-toe-hee-meh”.
Some toilets have a feature where the Otohime activates automatically. If this happens, don’t be surprised!
Background
In Japan, there is a strong cultural emphasis on maintaining personal dignity and avoiding embarrassment in public settings. This is particularly true in shared spaces like public restrooms. Many people were concerned about the sounds they might make while using the restroom, as these noises were considered embarrassing or impolite.
Before the invention of the Otohime, many people would flush the toilet continuously to mask any sounds while using the restroom which led to an enormous amount of water waste.
Introduction of the Otohime
To address this issue of water waste, TOTO, a leading Japanese toilet manufacturer, introduced the Otohime device in the 1980s.
The Otohime quickly became popular in restrooms across Japan, especially in women’s bathrooms. It served two purposes: it helped preserve a sense of modesty while also promoting environmental conservation by reducing unnecessary flushing.