Travel to Japan Tip | Living in Japan
Japanese Style Toilet (J-Toilet)
Naturally, after you eat and drink, you will need to go to a special place sooner or later...don't worry, it is not so hard to find pucblic toilets in Tokyo.
And most of them are for free. In fact, I have never seen any paid public toilets in Tokyo. Inside public or private buildings like a department store or a museum, you can find the toilets by following the signs like the one below.
Universal symbol for the toilet
The symbol of the Ladies room is usually in red or pink and for the Men's room it is in blue. It is simple, and similiar to other countries.
Yes, you can also find public toilet at Train stations or Subway stations. As far as I know, toilets at Subway stations or JR stations are not dangerous for women*. The majority of these toilet rooms are quite clean and many people use them. *However, it is better not to use them at late night if you see only a few people at the station.
I don't think you will have any difficulty finding a toilet during your travel in Tokyo, BUT using a Japanese Style Toilet is a little different than most public toilet in North America. In some parts of Southern Europe they have similiar toilets.
The majority of toilets in Tokyo are western in style, however, there are still many toilets, especially at train stations or casual local restaurants that use the squat type of toilets.
Introduction of how to use a J-Style Toilet
Using the Japanese Style toilet you must squat. Stand over the toilet stool facing the side with the hood. Them squat over it and conveniently place yourself close but not to the point of contact with the stool.
For beginners, this might be an awkward position, but as the body does not contact the stool it is sanitary...that is why toilets at public place like train stations are of the Japanese style.
It will be one of the biggest cultural shock kind of experience you will get in Japan. Hmmmmm What should I say to encourage you...Enjoy the experience! I suggest you secretly practice in the outdoors for J-toilet before coming to Japan. :-)
