Japan's loos are a thing of wonder. During my brief recent visit I encountered all varieties - from the squatover pan with no toilet paper provided (e.g. Kyoto JR) to the bafflingly hi-tech.
In the techno case, you have a variety of sprays, 'bidet' and drying facilities while still sitting. Often you can also choose duration, angle etc. Ladies toilets also usually have a sound and volume setting for modesty: recordings of gushing water sounds to disguise any, er, 'other' noises.
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| Basic options. |
Flushing is another poser. A flush device might be recognisable from the West, but it also might be automatic, part of some light sensitive thing you need to activate, or on a wall-button nowhere near the loo. And it probably won't be indicated in English. So be warned.
At Shinjuku station I mistakenly pressed the emergency button - prompting a concerned official in uniform to come rushing into the karzy. (And requiring me to sashay out nonchalantly, pretending I didn't understand.)
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| A slightly more complex offer. NB: no English, though the pictograms are useful! |
But the thing the Japanese really have got right: heated seats! My friends had these in their homes, and you will find them in nicer public amenities too. What comfort on a freezing February day! When I get rich, I am definitely importing this idea to my home in the UK!
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