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Have you seen such a toilet?
Let me warn you first before you start reading this blog. If you are eating right now, you may want to pause or finish up before reading further because this blog is about “toilets”
You may have heard that there are many different styles of toilets in the world. For example, “a single hole” is considered a toilet in some places, others may have no doors or privacy stalls, people throw toilet tissue into garbage bins instead of flushing, often there are no toilet seats and so on…
If you want to know more about toilet styles of the world check out the following link!
From country to country, views on toilet and washroom use can be very different. Some consider the washroom as just a place “to do their business” Others believe that if the washroom is not kept tidy and clean their luck or finances will not improve.
Today, let me introduce to you some interesting facts and features of Japanese washrooms. Anyone who's visited Japan must think Japanese washrooms are the best!! Being a very private culture they consider that the toilet should be in an entirely separate space from the bathroom.
In Japan, there are 2 styles of toilets: traditional Japanese style and Western Style. Public washrooms offer both. These days, Western style is becoming more common in almost all modern homes and hotels.
The first thing that may surprise you is, if you use the washroom in a private home, minshuku (family operated, Japanese-style bed and breakfasts), or ryokan (Japanese style inns found throughout the country), you will usually find slippers only for washroom use. If you are already using indoor slippers, leave them outside the washroom and switch to the washroom slippers.
Once inside it is common to find an electric toilet seat that sprays water for anal and genital cleaning. A lot of people using this function for the first time find it strange or uncomfortable. Typically after just a few uses they don't want to use anything else.
The last somewhat amusing thing is a device called the “Sound Princess”. A lot of Japanese people are very conservative and care about their etiquette, especially women. Many of them feel embarrassed if other women in the washroom can hear them tinkle. It is common for them to flush before they urinate and the flushing sound eliminates their embarrassment. As there is always a need to save water a small gizmo named the “Sound Princess” (Otohime in Japanese) was created. The Sound Princess is an electronic device mounted inside toilets stalls when operated, makes a loud flushing sound and helps all the ladies feel more comfortable!
If you have a chance to visit Japan, enjoy these new experiences! And likely you will find even more features!
