In a land renowned for innovative technology, are we justified in being shocked that they have the most complicated public toilets as well? Concentrating on comfort, cleanliness and even attempting to ease humiliation, Jap toilets are miles beyond what most expect, though for anybody living there, these should be fast turning into the norm.
Of course we will not go into the health befits of the squat toilets from yesteryears that are still common here, but are actually not as inventive as you’d hope from the Japanese. Those you’d find in other Asian nations as well, mostly in villages though.
When it comes to a touch of invention, it starts here by getting shot of humiliation. Talk about the pain of knowing someone is in a stall next to you and can actually hear you making some funny sounds ; funny to them but embarrassing for you. Japanese tech folks have remedied this by making a device commonly referred to as a ‘Sound Princess’. Found in just about all the newer public restrooms, the newer public restrooms, the device, when turned on, literally sounds like a flushing toilet, drowning out any other sound that might be made when using the facilities. This ensures that even the shyest of folk can relax, knowing no one can hear them.
What Japan truly has to offer in modern toilets industry, if you want to name it that, are the washlets with a variety of features to delight everybody ( yes, we are still chatting toilets ). The control panel for the Washlet might remind you of something you may see in a rocket ship ; these toilets may look standard, but are anything but normal.
A common feature on each is a bidet, which can be combined with toilet paper, or used on its own to bathe everything and anything. Most have 2 nozzles, with adjustable water pressure to each area, softly cleaning without being uncomfortable. Many Washlets have built in dryers, making toilet paper unnecessary. Comfort doesn’t stop here though, with heaters attached, cold seats are a thing of the past. Some models even have automated lid opening, closing and flushing, catering to males and females with the push of a button.
Making those unavoidable trips to the loo is never welcomed by any one, but Eastern have made all of it an experience worth trying. The sole main problem that most visitors face in these toilets is the language barrier. The control panels have Eastern instructions and once seated getting up can become tricky. There is no query though that these toilets are catching up in the rest of the world as well, even the hi-tech man in black, Will Smith, when building his home got the Japanese to provide his toilets.
Journey around the world by visiting famouswonders.com and while you’re at it, also check out Daitokuji Temple Japan.