Japan Bathroom Stalls

Bathroom stalls in Japan are fully private (wall from roof to floor). Most bathrooms are reasonably clean with the exception of bathrooms at some parks, beaches and other remote locations. Using restrooms in different countries can be intimidating.

Let's take a look at the proper way to go about your business while in Japan. Before entering the bathroom, you switch to the toilet slippers placed at the door. Afterward, leave the toilet slippers in the bathroom and put your regular slippers back on.

This tradition stems from Japan's view of purity: the bathroom is considered an "impure" space that shouldn't spread its germs to the rest of the house. Practical tips and insights to navigate the sometimes bewildering, yet ultimately wonderful world of Japanese toilets. A complete toilet guide for tourists visiting Japan.

We will introduce everything from public toilet locations to Japanese toilet usage and manners. In Japan, you're likely to encounter toilets and cleaning devices you would have never dreamed of using in your own country. These include familiar Western-style sitting toilets to older Japanese-style squatting toilets, not to mention the high-tech toilets featuring multiple functions that may make you laugh, cry, or sit up in your seat.

Let's take a look at the different types of toilets. Japanese toilets are in the global spotlight for their unique hygiene features, world-leading accessibility, and novel restroom destinations and concepts that have been going viral. For many foreigners visiting Japan, using a Japanese toilet can be an unfamiliar and sometimes daunting experience.

However, with a little understanding of how to navigate the different types of toilets and a few key pointers on etiquette, you can make your restroom visits in Japan stress. Japan really embraces the radical idea that your time spent on the Throne should be comfortable. Beyond the multitude of buttons at your disposal, you'll also often find heated seats, deodorizers, and (for all the American readers) stall doors in public bathrooms that go all the way to the floor on all sides.

Japanese Restroom Depending upon where you travel in Japan you may encounter a traditional Japanese-style toilet. These can be found in public restrooms in shopping malls, train stations, and in small town minshuku (family run inns). These commodes are at floor level.

To use, face the hump.