Comments on: On Using a Japanese Toilet

By: Archana

Archana — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:22:15 +0000

There were some places in Japan (very few) where the only toilet available at the place we were in was the squat toilet. I have used some in India but only as a kid and I was always afraid I would fall in. Yes, they are actually better for you and more hygienic.

I could never work out the buttons on the Japanese toilets – and the warm seats made it seem like someone had sat on the toilet just before you.

The toilet tissue in Japan was the best – it was weirdly stretchy – not sure why you need stretchy tissue to wipe your bum but it was really soft and durable – making it great to use during hayfever season.

By: Rurousha

Rurousha — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:47:02 +0000

Thanks for making me start my day with a grin! Squat toilets are nasty things when you’re a woman wearing either a pencil skirt or a very wide skirt. As far as modern toilets are concerned, my pet peeve is the Sound Princess, the button you can push to provide mock flushing sounds to hide your own piddling sounds. I think it’s a woman thing, but it makes no sense to me. We all know what we’re doing in there, don’t we? :)

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:10:48 +0000

“Oshirimo kirei” feels like “Even my ass is sparkling,” since kirei can mean both beautiful and clean. In the Japanese supermarket I used to work in, the public bathroom had a sign on the door that always made me laugh. You saw it as soon as you closed the door and sat on the toilet.

It read something like, “Let’s all keep this bathroom clean/beautiful!” The funny part, between the lines of text were a picture of a sparkling ocean and sky. For some reason it always made me think of what I was doing, what would happen when I flushed, and that together made me laugh. Silly, I know…

By: Turner

Turner — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:05:35 +0000

Heh, this is a pretty good summary, but the best story of the washiki benjo definitely comes from YouTuber Hikosaemon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meAViqzpaDE

By: Blue Shoe

Blue Shoe — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:56:39 +0000

Nice post, Eryk. i had the exact same experience with my first squatter! Took off my pants and faced the wrong way…haha. I’ve only had to use them a handful of times these few years here…luckily there is usually a Western style around.

By: Chris Kempson

Chris Kempson — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 22:47:18 +0000

I shouldn’t worry about it so much. I’ve used them, sometimes by choice after inspection of the condition of the other available toilets. The great thing about them is that they are non-contact and so can be more hygienic. Anyway, I don’t recall being forced to use on before. The western style toilets seem to be far more popular here.

By: Kaori

Kaori — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:51:22 +0000

I always love posts about Japanese toilets! lol.
The first time I came back to Japan and walked into a toilet stall at Narita airport, I came back out saying “Mommy, it’s not a toilet.” and she had to show me how to use it. Now I’m proud to say I can use it like any other Japanese, even in super high heels!
Regarding the translation, after seeing the commercial, I think the “(nani wo kakuso) oshirimo kirei” means “(no need to hide the fact that) my ass is also clean.” :-)

By: owwls

owwls — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:19:33 +0000

Fixed :)

By: Jamaipanese

Jamaipanese — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:18:11 +0000

eerr? something warped my comment name above o.O I think I offended the squat toilet gods

By: Jamaipanese

Jamaipanese — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:17:02 +0000

aaah yes the dreaded squat toilet, haven’t been to Japan yet but other than the plane crashing before I get there this is high on my list of worries.