Only in Japan: Ubiquitous Toilets

In Japan, a source of relief, pun intended, is that just about everywhere you go you’ll find a public toilet or one provided by businesses. It sounds like a simple thing, municipal governments and retailers providing sanitary facilities. However, it’s an aspect of public space that sets Japan apart from other developed countries. When I step out of my front door, I don’t give toilets a second thought because they're everywhere.

A dearth of places to go around the world

This is in contrast with daily life in other developed countries where you might plan places to powder your nose while you’re doing your errands. My hometown in Canada, Vancouver, has struggled with providing clean and easily accessible toilets for citizens and visitors for nearly a century. Initially, the city provided public toilets but successive city councilors rejected them, and today few exist forcing the public to rely on private businesses that have toilets. You have to do some forward planning if you have kids in tow or health issues that necessitate frequent pit stops. Besides, it’s a terrible burden on the poor who cannot afford to patronize businesses that have toilets.

American cities, too, had a shocking lack of restrooms in public spaces before pandemic mitigation measures spurred the closure of many businesses that provided them to patrons. Similarly, cities in the UK are seeing a diminishing number of public toilets. However, in Japan, you can count on train stations, public parks and buildings, supermarkets, and most convenience stores to have decent facilities.

Ritual cleanliness and Hospitality

In my hometown of Vancouver, when I find an elusive toilet, I can be confident that it’s clean. But in Japan, cleanliness which is synonymous with beauty, attested to in the word 綺麗 kirei means the toilet is not just clean but also sacred. Keeping toilets kirei and safe requires some spiritual help in the form of kawaya no kami, the god of the toilet. Historically, Japan’s agricultural practice used human waste as fertilizer, so the toilet came to be seen as a source of fertility. The use of “night soil” fell out of use after World War II, but the toilet remains sacred. Toilet slippers are still a big part of toilet visits in public buildings and private homes, clearly delineating the space. Flowers and decorations give you a spot to rest your eyes while also serving as offerings to the toilet god.

Dare I say one of my favorite clean and beautiful toilets is at Sakuragi Shrine in Noda City. The facility has an altar regularly attended to by the priests. It’s bright, clean, and comfortable.

Transparent toilet at Harunogawa Park, Tokyo

Recently, the Tokyo Toilet Project has brought together world-renowned architects to design a dozen attractive and accessible public toilets in public parks and close to train stations. The most striking designs are from Shigeo Ban who has created transparent walls that become opaque when users lock the doors. This is not just a way to show off design and technology - it’s an effort to promote a sense of security and confidence in the cleanliness of the toilet. Before you step in, you can clearly see in to confirm it’s all yours and spotless.

Wherever you go in Japan, there's a place to go when you need it.