One of the very first culture shocks for travelers arriving in Japan might come from an unexpected place:
the toilet.
Step into a restroom, and you’ll find yourself in a strangely silent space—very unlike the ones you know.
Open the stall door, and there it is: a toilet like no other, with a control panel full of mysterious buttons.
Approach it, and the lid suddenly opens by itself. “Ghost?!” you blurt out.
But then… the seat is warm.
And somehow, you feel strangely comforted.
Once you’ve done your business, you press one of the buttons—cautiously—and a stream of water bursts forth.
And then comes the dryer.
Why did Japanese toilets evolve this far?
What features do they offer now—and where can you actually find them?
And let’s be honest: for something that sprays water where the sun doesn’t shine, can we really call it clean?
1. The Toilet Revolution: How Did We Get Here?
1-1. The Toilet Revolution—When Did Japan Flush Into the Future?
1-1-1: The Hidden Engineering Battles
If a pop quiz ever asked, “What year marks the beginning of the Japanese Toilet Revolution?”,
you should answer without hesitation: 1980.
That’s the year TOTO released its now-legendary Washlet G.
At the time, Japan wasn’t a total stranger to the idea of a bidet—but it was strictly a luxury, found only in high-end hotels or hospitals.
The bidet was a mysterious import, not something you’d expect to find in a regular home.
TOTO’s real breakthrough wasn’t just about spraying water.
It was about transforming that foreign concept into a reliable household appliance.
The biggest hurdle?
Combining water and electricity—two famously incompatible elements—inside what may be the harshest environment in any home: the toilet.
Heated seats, warm water nozzles, air dryers, motion sensors, control panels…
All of it had to function flawlessly, even in constant exposure to moisture.
TOTO’s engineers found inspiration in an unlikely place: traffic lights.
Borrowing ideas from outdoor electrical insulation, they developed a resin-based coating that protected delicate circuits from water damage.
The result: a toilet that wouldn’t short-circuit itself.
And then there’s the now-mythical tale of the 43-degree spray angle.
In pursuit of the optimal balance between effectiveness and comfort, over 300 TOTO employees volunteered their own rear ends for real-world testing.
Through trial, error, and perhaps a little humility, they discovered what would become the “golden angle”—43 degrees—still used in many models today.
1-1-2: A Catchphrase Never Heard Before (Or Since)
Technology alone wasn’t enough to complete the toilet revolution.
You still had to convince people to, well… press the button.
That job was left to a single, unforgettable TV commercial.
Aired in 1982, TOTO’s ad featured a line that turned heads—and raised eyebrows:
“Even your butt wants to be washed.”
At the time, the word butt on national television was enough to make people squirm.
It’s said that even within the company, there were debates over whether the line went too far.
But that very bluntness is exactly what made it stick.
It cut through the noise—cleanly.
The strategy didn’t stop there. TOTO began placing Washlets in places of “memorable luxury”—golf courses, upscale restaurants, boutique hotels.
Not for sale, but for experience.
You’d try it once, then go home and wonder how your old toilet ever seemed enough.
And so, little by little, it entered our daily lives.
It became part of our hindquarters—
…sorry, I mean, a part of our households.
1-2. Why Did People Accept It? (A Personal Theory)
Smart people—and those who like to think they’re smart—have analyzed this phenomenon and reached conclusions that go something like this:
- Japan has a deep-rooted cultural preference for cleanliness, making any hygiene-enhancing innovation more likely to catch on.
- Japanese homes are often compact, with toilets in close proximity to living spaces—so odor control and comfort matter more.
- Aggressive marketing campaigns (including TV ads with talking butts) helped normalize the concept at a national level.
- The product’s benefits were immediate and clear—warm water, heated seats, and automated flushing all made life better.
These explanations are likely accurate.
But I’d like to propose one more theory—something I believe played a crucial role, especially in Japan.
Japan is one of the few countries in the world where people traditionally sit on the floor.
Seiza, cross-legged, school-PE-style—whatever the posture, the butt comes into direct contact with the ground.
In this cultural context, the butt isn’t just a cushion. It’s a sacred interface between your body and a space that should remain pure.
Seen this way, the rise of bidet toilets wasn’t just a hygiene upgrade. It was a moral imperative.
In short: Keeping your butt clean is a matter of respect—for the floor.
And then—came the plot twist.
The other day, an American friend of mine said this:
“So… you sit on the floor. We sit on chairs. Are chairs allowed to be dirty?”
I had no comeback.
Since then, I’ve been unable to trust chairs.
I’m still carefully crafting a rebuttal to what might be the most devastatingly logical argument I’ve ever encountered.
2. How “High-Tech” Are They—And Where Can You Try One?
So what exactly makes Japanese toilets “high-tech”? Let’s take a closer look.
Common Features
- Heated seat
- Bidet and rear-wash functions
- Adjustable water pressure and nozzle position
- Automatic flush
Advanced Features
- Lid opens and closes automatically
- Deodorizing systems
- Self-cleaning nozzles and bowls
- Sound masking (e.g., flushing sounds)
- Remote controls or wall-mounted panels
- Voice commands and smartphone connectivity
Reading through these, do you feel a mysterious tingle around your lower back?
That may be your curiosity stirring. Time to give it a try.
In Japan, you’ll find basic bidet functions in surprisingly ordinary places.
But if you’re curious about cutting-edge features, you’ll have a high chance of encountering them at places like the following.
And for those who aren’t quite ready to try—but are intrigued like a shy teenager discovering romance—we have a museum just for you.
Places Likely to Have Advanced Toilets
- Airports and major bullet train stations
- Mid- to high-end hotels (increasingly, even budget hotels)
- Department stores and shopping centers
- Upscale cafes and art museums
- Electronics retailers and showroom floors (often with demos)
Bonus: The TOTO Museum (In Person & Online)
An unexpectedly earnest and oddly refreshing place where you can explore the evolution of Japan’s toilet technology—and the cultural values behind it.
3. But… Is It Really Clean?
So far, we’ve looked at bidets with a kind of blind faith—assuming they’re hygienic, high-tech marvels of cleanliness.
But let’s pause and ask the uncomfortable question: Are they really?
You might be wondering:
Was my rear end really the first thing that nozzle ever saw?
And when water splashes around during the rinse, is it… bouncing off the toilet bowl like a game of squash before landing back on my skin?
Let’s take a look—both at what manufacturers claim and what research suggests.
What Manufacturers Say
Japan’s top toilet makers have built their reputations on hygiene.
Common features they promote include:
- E-water (electrolyzed water): Used to rinse the bowl and nozzle, claimed to have antibacterial properties
- UV sanitization: Some models use ultraviolet light to sterilize the nozzle after use
- Self-cleaning nozzles: Automatically washed before and after use, with some retracting into a self-sanitizing chamber
- Antibacterial materials: Surfaces like the seat and nozzle may use materials designed to resist bacteria
Impressive? Definitely.
But as with anyone loudly declaring their innocence—“I didn’t do it!”—a little skepticism is healthy.
What Research Says
Several studies have examined bidets, including those in medical facilities.
Some suggest that in high-traffic public restrooms, the nozzles can accumulate bacteria over time.
Others conclude that with regular cleaning and proper maintenance, the risk is extremely low.
So, the verdict?
It depends.
The cleanliness varies based on the model, the number of users, and how often it’s cleaned.
So… What Should We Believe?
Ask a Japanese person and you’ll likely hear:
“Well, it’s probably cleaner than just using paper.”
And honestly? I agree.
I’ve never experienced any hygiene-related issues from using one—
and let’s just say, my underwear has been noticeably less mysterious since I made the switch.
To put it another way:
I’d say it’s about as clean as a public swimming pool—maybe even a bit cleaner.
4. Weirdly Human Toilet News
The Phenomenon of “Toilet Dining”
Have you ever heard of “toilet dining”?
It refers to the act of eating meals in a bathroom stall—usually in schools or offices—by those who want to avoid being seen eating alone.
Of course, it’s neither hygienic nor mentally healthy.
But it does say something about how private and oddly “safe” Japanese toilets can feel as spaces.
The Bidet Backlash?
Here’s another surprising trend:
Some younger people in Japan are actually moving away from using bidets.
Especially since the pandemic, there’s been a growing reluctance to use shared toilet functions. Concerns over “not knowing who used the nozzle before you” and a general desire to avoid touching anything have led many to go back to toilet paper only.
Even Japan’s high-tech toilets are starting to feel a little outdated—for better or worse, the kids just aren’t impressed.
5. When You Meet the Natives: A Squat Toilet Survival Guide
In today’s Japan, the spotlight often shines on high-tech bidets.
But hiding in the shadows, there’s another species of toilet — the humble squat toilet.
These floor-level contraptions are slowly going extinct, but they’re not gone yet.
You’ll still find them in public parks, older schools, or the occasional train station.
And if fate (or digestive urgency) brings you face to face with one… well, you’re going to have to figure it out.
5-1. How to Use a Squat Toilet (Don’t Panic)
First, face forward — toward the wall, not the door.
Squat low, straddling the ceramic channel like you mean it.
Pull your pants down low enough to avoid accidents, and keep your heels flat for balance.
New to this?
Feel free to brace yourself on a nearby wall or grab bar. No shame. You’re adapting.
5-2. What Most People Don’t Know About Squat Toilets
- No skin contact
There’s no seat — so nothing touches your body.
A major plus in a public restroom, especially if you forgot the toilet paper barrier technique. - Better posture (maybe)
Some researchers say squatting helps you go more naturally, and may reduce issues like hemorrhoids or bowel strain.
That’s the same science behind the global popularity of the “Squatty Potty.” - Simple, water-efficient design
Less water, fewer clogs, fewer moving parts.
Elegant in its own rugged way.
So next time you stumble into a restroom and see one of these porcelain trenches, take a deep breath.
It may look primitive — but it’s not without its wisdom.
6. Flush with Insight
Japanese toilets really are something special.
From high-tech bidets with control panels to squat-style relics from the past, it’s a culture that defies simple explanation.
It’s a tug-of-war between innovation and tradition, comfort and awkwardness, cleanliness and hyper-cleanliness.
Think of them as one more reason to love Japan—right up there with the food and the pop culture.
But if you find yourself imagining the ultimate experience: eating sushi in a kimono inside the bathroom…
Well, let’s just say the world isn’t quite ready for that. Yet.
