Thankfully it would appear that the Japanese style toilet is slowly being phased out. Although that doesn’t mean there aren’t a fair few of them left. Way too many for my liking that’s for sure.
I always remember when I first arrived in Japan, and feeling a, ahem, call of nature approaching, I went into the nearest toilet. But on opening the cubicle door I was confronted with one of these devices.
In a state of I-need-to-go-to-the-tiolet-but-really-don’t-want-to-use-this-contraption, I frantically opened the next cubicle door and was (for want of a better word) relieved to find a lavatory of the western persuasion. Seeing that reassuring bowl was a special moment indeed. Having never had a religious experience, I can only assume that it must be something along the same lines. Or perhaps I exaggerate. A little…
Since then I’m happy to say that my fear of the squatting toilet has diminished somewhat, but I still avoid them if it’s in any way possible. If for no other reason that for me personally they are simply not as comfortable. Although that said, squatting requires well-developed thighs, and each visit carries with it the danger (however slim) of soiling your pants in the process. This link (which I’ve used before) highlights this and other dangers, and at the same time takes you through the basic maneuvers.
Ana says
Hi there! My name is Ana… I found your blog through BlogSnob… It called my attention because my husband *who is in the military* and I were stationed in Japan for 3 years. We were up North in Misawa AFB. We lived off-base so we were able to live a lil’ bit like the Japanese. hehe.
I can honestly say that those 3 years living there were the best of my life! I love the country, it’s people and it’s culture… If we could go back, we would in an INSTANT! We went to Tokyo about… 3 or 4 times. I remember the longggggggg bus rides to get there, but they were totally worth it! Yeap… funny you mention the toilets…when we first arrived we were shocked at them too… I was scared I would fall back! haha! Never happened but I always feared that… and somehow it’s hard to concentrate on letting out your “business” when you have to concentrate on not falling on your BUTT! LMBO
Anyway… awesome blog! You bet I’ll be back!
Hugs*
Ana
Toni says
Ah yes, I remember my first encounter with a Japanese style toilet. It was my 2nd or 3rd day in Japan, and went with my boyfriend and his friend to a Chinese restaurant in Ueno (IIRC).
Since it was an older establishment, they still had the Japanese style toilets, and imagine my surprise when I went to use the bathroom and found this strange looking contraption on the ground!
I was stupefied. I had no idea how to use it. Which way do I face? Do I squat? Furthermore, the toilet was slightly elevated. So being the baka gaijin that I was, I put strips of toilet paper along the sides of the toilet (just as I would do with a western toilet if those sanitary paper seat covers weren’t available) and sat down as if I were using a regular toilet.
When I returned to the table, I told my boyfriend about my encounter, and after chuckling good naturedly about my naivete, he explained to me the proper way to use a Japanese toilet.
Billsan says
Hmmm, for women this could offer a challenge. As a male, I traveled trught out Japan a few years ago and to my supprise the male/female bathrooms were in the same room. You enter and the males go to the right and the females to the left. I was somewhat reluctent to enter till nature got the best of me and I went in with females entering and leaving. I wonder if this system in Japan still exists? I lived in Japan for three years, loved the culture and history. I was a Kabuki fan.
Bill