The Throne of the Future: A User’s Guide to Japanese High-Tech Toilets (And Why You’ll Miss Them)
Welcome to the future. You walk into your hotel bathroom. The toilet lid opens automatically to greet you. You sit down… and the seat is warm.
Congratulations. You have met the Japanese Washlet (often called by the brand name TOTO).
To us locals, a cold toilet seat is a crime. To tourists, these machines are magical, but also terrifying. There are 20 buttons. Some have remote controls. Some play bird sounds.
“Which button flushes?” “Will water shoot me in the face?”
Don’t panic. As your friend, I am here to guide you through the best bathroom experience of your life.
1. The “Heated Seat” (Warm Welcome)
This is the feature that changes everyone. In winter, sitting on a Japanese toilet feels like a warm hug. You don’t need to do anything; it is on by default. Just sit and enjoy.
2. The Button Decoder (Save This!)
The control panel usually has Japanese Kanji characters. Here is your translation key.
- The “STOP” Button (止):
- Look for: A square button (usually Red or Orange).
- Function: Memorize this. If the water spray is too strong or you are done, press this to stop everything immediately.
- The “Rear” Spray (おしり – Oshiri):
- Look for: An icon of a butt with a water fountain spraying it.
- Function: This is the main wash. Press it once to start. Press it again to make the nozzle move back and forth (oscillate).
- The “Bidet” (ビデ):
- Look for: An icon of a female silhouette or a slightly forward spray angle.
- Function: A gentler spray for ladies.
- The “Pressure” (+ / -):
- Function: Adjusts how strong the water is. Friend’s Advice: Start on the lowest setting (Low / 弱). The “High” setting can be… surprising.
3. The “Sound Princess” (Otohime)
Are you shy? Do you worry about people hearing you? Japan has a solution: The Sound Princess.
- Look for: An icon of a music note (🎵) or a hand sensor.
- Function: It plays a fake sound of flushing water (or sometimes bird chirping) to cover any… noises you make. It saves water because you don’t have to flush for real to hide the sound. Genius.
4. Where is the Flush?!
You are done. You look at the panel. No flush button. You look at the tank. No lever. Where is it?!
It is a common puzzle. Look for:
- A Sensor on the Wall: Just wave your hand over the black window.
- Silver Buttons on top: Marked “大” (Big Flush) and “小” (Small Flush).
- Automatic: In fancy places, you just stand up and walk away. The toilet knows. It will flush for you.
5. The “Emergency” Trap
WARNING: In many public restrooms, there is an “Emergency Call” (SOS) button on the wall near the toilet paper. It often looks confusingly similar to a flush button.
DO NOT PRESS IT unless you are dying. If you press it, a loud alarm will sound and security might come running.
- Flush Button: Usually silver or plastic.
- SOS Button: Usually red with a plastic cover or cord. Don’t touch.
6. The “Old School” Surprise (Squat Toilet)
While 90% of toilets are high-tech, you might—especially in old train stations or parks—open a stall and find a Squat Toilet (a porcelain slipper in the floor).
- How to use: Face the “hood” (the raised part). Squat all the way down. Good luck.
- Friend’s Tip: If you see a row of stalls, check the map on the door. It usually marks which ones are “Western Style” (Sit) and which are “Japanese Style” (Squat). Wait for the Western one.
Summary: You Will Miss This
It sounds funny now, but after 10 days in Japan, you will get used to the warm seats and the cleanliness. When you go back to your home country and sit on a cold toilet seat… you will cry a little.
Enjoy the throne.
Want to see the intersection of technology and tradition? Our tours ensure you have comfortable breaks. We know where the cleanest, most high-tech restrooms are in every district (yes, it’s an important part of tour guiding!).
