Ah, the humble toilet. One of the most important and often overlooked fixtures in our lives. And in Japan, they take it to a whole new level. The public toilet game has been elevated to a status that we mere mortals can only dream of. It’s like stepping into a whole new dimension of cleanliness and comfort. From heated seats to bidet functions, these toilets are the epitome of luxury. Who needs toilet paper when you have a washlet that will cleanse and dry your derrière in one fell swoop?
Japan is a country known for its technological advancements, and even their toilets are not an exception. The history of high-tech toilets in Japan dates back to the early 80s when the first Japanese toilet with a warm water washlet was created. Washlets are essentially upgraded toilet seats that come equipped with a range of functions such as warm water cleansing, heated seats, automatic flushing, and even motion sensors that detect when someone is using the toilet. These features are designed to offer greater comfort and hygiene, especially during the colder months of the year.
The use of sensors in these toilets is a particularly interesting feature because they add an extra layer of automation. As soon as a person stands up, the sensor is triggered, and the toilet automatically flushes. Furthermore, high-tech toilets in Japan come with antibacterial materials that ensure they stay clean and germ-free even after multiple uses. Some models also come with self-cleaning functions. And let’s not forget about the music options.
Yes, that’s right, some toilets come equipped with a wide range of melodies to help you “go with the flow”. When you’re in a public toilet, the music comes especially handy in masking the sounds noises that you might make while “doing your thing”.
The leading makers of Japanese toilets are brands like Toto, Lixil, and Panasonic, which manufacture high-tech toilets known as Washlets. These toilets offer multiple functions that can be accessed through a well-designed control panel on the side of the toilet seat. The control panel typically includes a range of buttons with different symbols and Japanese characters that can be difficult to decipher for first-time users. But once you understand the functions and symbols, you can take advantage of a variety of features such as heated seats, bidet functions, water temperature control, music, and automatic lid opening and closing.
One of the most prominent features of high tech toilets is the inclusion of bidet functions, which uses jets of water with adjustable pressure and direction for both rear and front washes, offering a thorough cleaning experience. Users can adjust the temperature, pressure, and position of the bidet spray to customize their experience. To use the bidet spray, users need to first activate the function using a designated button or control panel. From there, they can adjust the settings to their preferred specifications to ensure optimal comfort and cleanliness. Some high tech toilets even offer different types of bidet functions, such as oscillating or pulsating sprays, to further enhance the user experience.
As soon as you arrive in Japan, you’ll encounter a high-tech toilet. While traveling around Japan, at train stations, at department stores, at restaurants, you’ll be using these high-tech toilets. I must warn you about one thing though! It’s sometimes challenging to figure out how to flush the toilet. Some have buttons at the side of the toilet seat or on the tank or are mounted on the wall. Some are hands-free – you just hover your hand around the sensor.
Some flush when you stand up, NOT while you’re sitting on the seat. You’ll need to be on the lookout for where the buttons are or what sensors are being used. It could get frustrating when you can’t figure out how to flush the toilet but with a little experimentation and experience you’ll eventually figure it out.
Today, high-tech Japanese toilets are positioned as a symbol of technological advancement and reflect Japan’s commitment to innovation. I know many friends who after experiencing the high-tech toilets in Japan never want to go back to using a regular toilet again. So come over to Japan and experience a luxurious, comfortable, enhanced bathroom experience.
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