Japan has better western style toilets than the west. And my friends are tired of hearing about it from me. 🤣
I still talk about how much I would love to have a toilet to not only clean me from the roota to the toota, but also play music and spray a lovely fragrance while I go. All at the touch of a couple buttons.
Traditions that live on
Occasionally on your travels you’ll run across another type of toilet — the squat toilet. Even the most developed countries and cities across Asia and Africa have them.
While Japan is known for its magical washlets
that sometimes have automatic hand sinks attached, you’ll also find squat toilets there.
I saw them at rest stops and parks right alongside sitting style toilets. Some train stations and older buildings only have this traditional Japanese style toilet, including in Tokyo. And if you venture out to more rural areas there could be only squat toilets, called washiki, available.
Be our guest, but don’t leave a mess
I recently read an article blaming tourists from the west for constantly making a mess in the washiki stalls at a Kyoto village. I don’t know if it was fair to point the finger only at foreigners. Regardless, just make sure you aren’t the person making the restroom (or yourself) nasty. Especially since the level of cleanliness in Japan is pretty exceptional.
Some places have instructions posted to help you. The signs I saw weren’t detailed enough for me. Particularly since I can’t read characters and translations are often funky. I was glad I watched YouTube videos ahead of time because having to learn on the fly felt like too much pressure! So stay ready so you don’t have to get ready!
Going #1 or #2, here’s what to do
Now for the delicate part.
Ladies: To pee, face toward the back of the toilet.
Everyone: To poop 💩, face toward the back of the toilet. (Butt not facing or on the hood!)
- Move underwear (and pants, shorts) down to just above the knee. (Or take them off entirely.)
- Gather all the material in your hand and hold forward and upward.
- Place one foot on each side of the toilet.
- Squat with both feet flat on the floor.
- Don’t sit! Hover slightly over the toilet.
- Rest your arms on your knees to help stay balanced.
- Do ya business. Or let it flow.
Okay, what’s next?
How to dispose of toilet paper, wash up or flush will vary depending on your location. Even if the signs aren’t in English, most stalls will use pictures to explain the next steps.
This video explains the process with good details for people wearing pants. She even includes a great bonus tip at the end.
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Pinkpodster Ponders 