One reason why these public conveniences are possible has to do with the design of Japanese society. As a long time resident of Tokyo (originally from Canada), one notices that Japanese society is a society of “We” whereas western society is one of “Me”. Looking at public spaces (especially toilets) which are lovingly maintained here in Japan, one comes to the conclusion that the west could use a little bit more “We” instead of just “Me”.
Anyone who watches the 2023 film by Wim Wenders, "Perfect Days", will receive an in-depth look at Tokyo toilets, courtesy of the main character, Hirayama, whose job it is to clean them, which he does in a thorough, professional, and almost loving manner.
While living and travelling in Japan, I never met a public washroom I didn't like. So humble and egalitarian. It is what every society should aspire to.
My introduction to other than flush toilets came courtesy of an international airport transit (Heathrow?) decades ago - I understood the concept but didn’t feel up to the seeming challenge while in jacket and tie (I did say decades ago). In post Soviet Russia I quickly surmised that their toilet infrastructure wasn’t intentionally more primitive but it just wasn’t up to the repeated challenges posed by the severely intoxicated individuals attempting to operate machinery. A recent home safety inspection (as aging in place boomers) recommended replacing our toilets with the higher seating safety toilets- privately my wife and I quickly agreed we would do no such thing since it only aggravated the problem of body position.
When I visit friends in assisted living I game to struggle to get on these toilets. They are built for tall men though most residents are shorter by the year women. If I lived there I'd game a stool nearby
I've always assumed we don't have more public toilets because people don't clean up after themselves and the expense of paying people to maintain them is prohibitive. From what little I know of Japanese culture, I don't think that would be as big of an issue.
When I was married, our toilet was all the way at the back of the house. It even had its own little room inside the bathroom, tucked into the corner. During the colder months, that seat would get so cold that instead of sitting, I would squat just to avoid touching it. Every time, I found myself wondering if warm toilet seats even existed—surely someone must have thought of that already.
After my divorce, I moved into my own place. A friend of mine who had lived in Japan remembered my story about that freezing toilet room and gave me a bidet as a housewarming gift.
Now, I honestly can’t remember life without one. And whenever I travel somewhere they’re not common… I experience a bit of “cultural” shock. lol
America is allergic to public toilets. A lot has to do with security and maintenance. I did notice Asheville NC has some new public toilets. Hopefully this is a new trend.
:( while pregnant I needed to use one of these and found it covered in poop. We have a strange bathroom culture *and* tolerate a very high level of anti social behavior, making free public restrooms difficult. I have found that the public restrooms in the smaller towns around Asheville are reliably clean but it seems that there is usually just one per town - so maybe it’s scale issue.
One of the most sickening things about our consumerist lifestyle is shitting into drinking water and wiping our asses with tree flesh.
Thanks for this, Lloyd. Before reading this, I didn't know squat about Japanese toilets.
One reason why these public conveniences are possible has to do with the design of Japanese society. As a long time resident of Tokyo (originally from Canada), one notices that Japanese society is a society of “We” whereas western society is one of “Me”. Looking at public spaces (especially toilets) which are lovingly maintained here in Japan, one comes to the conclusion that the west could use a little bit more “We” instead of just “Me”.
Anyone who watches the 2023 film by Wim Wenders, "Perfect Days", will receive an in-depth look at Tokyo toilets, courtesy of the main character, Hirayama, whose job it is to clean them, which he does in a thorough, professional, and almost loving manner.
I love this film. Also, I encountered a few squat toilets in France.
While living and travelling in Japan, I never met a public washroom I didn't like. So humble and egalitarian. It is what every society should aspire to.
My introduction to other than flush toilets came courtesy of an international airport transit (Heathrow?) decades ago - I understood the concept but didn’t feel up to the seeming challenge while in jacket and tie (I did say decades ago). In post Soviet Russia I quickly surmised that their toilet infrastructure wasn’t intentionally more primitive but it just wasn’t up to the repeated challenges posed by the severely intoxicated individuals attempting to operate machinery. A recent home safety inspection (as aging in place boomers) recommended replacing our toilets with the higher seating safety toilets- privately my wife and I quickly agreed we would do no such thing since it only aggravated the problem of body position.
You were absolutely correct, the “comfort height” toilets just aggravate constipation. Completely wrong for older people.
you might like this toilet invented by a Russian-Canadian to address this issue (a bit expensive though) https://www.treehugger.com/could-be-biggest-advance-toilet-design-over-hundred-years-4856823
When I visit friends in assisted living I game to struggle to get on these toilets. They are built for tall men though most residents are shorter by the year women. If I lived there I'd game a stool nearby
I've always assumed we don't have more public toilets because people don't clean up after themselves and the expense of paying people to maintain them is prohibitive. From what little I know of Japanese culture, I don't think that would be as big of an issue.
Fascinating. We’re about to renovate our house and I’m seriously considering this. Japan design is so innovative and practical.
here is an old post from Treehugger about the design of my bathroom, based on these principles. https://www.treehugger.com/why-am-i-building-such-weird-bathroom-4855423
Thanks! Filing away.
When I was married, our toilet was all the way at the back of the house. It even had its own little room inside the bathroom, tucked into the corner. During the colder months, that seat would get so cold that instead of sitting, I would squat just to avoid touching it. Every time, I found myself wondering if warm toilet seats even existed—surely someone must have thought of that already.
After my divorce, I moved into my own place. A friend of mine who had lived in Japan remembered my story about that freezing toilet room and gave me a bidet as a housewarming gift.
Now, I honestly can’t remember life without one. And whenever I travel somewhere they’re not common… I experience a bit of “cultural” shock. lol
With high labor prices, is it very expensive to keep all of these public toilets so clean
America is allergic to public toilets. A lot has to do with security and maintenance. I did notice Asheville NC has some new public toilets. Hopefully this is a new trend.
:( while pregnant I needed to use one of these and found it covered in poop. We have a strange bathroom culture *and* tolerate a very high level of anti social behavior, making free public restrooms difficult. I have found that the public restrooms in the smaller towns around Asheville are reliably clean but it seems that there is usually just one per town - so maybe it’s scale issue.
It takes going abroad and then coming back to realize it's we Americans who have a strange toilet culture. Japan is tops for sure.