The hotel room wasn’t ready but the urge was too strong. I entered the Ladies Room in the hotel lobby, found an empty cubicle and shut the door behind me. I took one look at the toilet seat and stifled a giggle: it came attached with a remote control!
Naturally, I took a photograph.
I heard several doors open and close, and a symphony of running water played loudly outside my cubicle. Then I remembered reading about such devices designed to mask the sound of passing water as a way to combat water wastage since Japanese women had taken to flushing toilets before use. Pure Japanese ingenuity.
I pressed every button adding to the concert. Then I remembered why I was there.
Once I was in the privacy of the hotel room, I checked the bathroom for such a device, called the Washlet, and I was taken on an experience of a lifetime. The second I made contact with the toilet seat, I had an attack of the giggles. The seat was heated and the automatic sound of the running water had me jumping ten feet high.
I pressed the deodoriser button. I replayed the sound and touched the Braille markings on each setting.
I was most intrigued with the Shower and Bidet buttons and eventually discovered that the Bidet is solely for women’s use (does not work on male anatomy). The water temperature can be regulated, the spray strength can be adjusted, some units provide a pulsating jet and a warm air dryer. And just to be clear, I’m not talking about washing and drying my hair.
Further usage highlighted a surprising fact. The automatic sound of running water was perfectly timed. The thought of men in white lab coats and stop watches immediately rushed to mind. I would hate to be a volunteer subject. Maybe they pay well.
Some units have a tap on top of the tank which is used for washing hands, the water draining into the next flush; a concept I would like to see in Sydney to help with our long-term water shortage.
From high tech down to basics… My education into Japanese washrooms was almost complete. Until I encountered a squat toilet.
Naturally, I took a photograph.
There is one question that remained unanswered. What is the correct etiquette when it comes to using public amenities? Must you turn on the running water sound to mask the natural tinkle? Is it considered rude not to press the button if for hygiene reasons, you does not sit on public toilet seats to trigger the automatic sound?
Something for next time, perhaps.
Wow, that looks complicated. I’ll take a squat toilet instead – much easier!!
Anil: Erm… but I thought men liked remote controls! 🙂
Hee hee. Actually, we keep remarking about how the Australian toilets all have the two options for liquids and solids. I love that! 🙂
Akila: Glad to know someone else who takes note of toilets in their travels! 🙂
[…] and Gourmantic has a nice wrap up of some when you’ve got to go […]
[…] September 2009 The Foodie Triangle: Part 2 – Simon Johnson The Foodie Triangle: Part 3 – Ultimo Wine Centre Raouché: The Inspirational Rock Travelling in the Digital Era Beit Sissi: The Pride of Aleppo’s Cuisine When You’ve Got to Go […]
[…] city of Tokyo leaves a lasting impression. There is a quirkiness in its culture, a fascination with high-tech toilets, creativity in its shopping malls, cleanliness of its streets, a safety factor and the efficiency […]
[…] maid cafés, high tech toilets, and beer pouring machines may leave you a little baffled and amused, but a beer robot is just the […]
[…] handheld shower over the bathtub is a challenge to operate particularly when washing long hair. The high tech Japanese toilet is the centrepiece of attraction, with an attached remote control, sound effects, and water jets to […]
[…] Much like the toilets in Japan, a tap on top of the toilet tank used for washing hands drains into the cistern for the next flush. […]
[…] have written in depth about Japanese toilets and while I may have fine tastes when it comes to food and drink, I also have an obsession with […]