Japan’s Hi-Tech Toilets

17 Dec 2008 Category: Japan, Products, Technology

Japan’s Hi-Tech Toilets

A toilet in the corner of a room, looking more like a work of art. The toilets of the future will probably look something like this. From Toto's catalog.

Open the door to the bathroom, and the toilet lid automatically rises. A soothing sound emanates from the toilet, and as you sit down, deodorizing functions begin to work. Push a button, and the toilet washes your rear end. Push another button and it gently dries it with warm air. The toilet will automatically flush, and when your leave the room, the lid will automatically close. People living in Japan are used to such toilets, but for people visiting for the first time, it can be a source of culture shock. During last month’s Tokyo Design Week, PingMag visited bathrooms that looked like spaceships, and talked to Mariko Shimasaki, from toilet manufacturer Toto.

Written by Ayana
Translated by Kevin Mcgue

To begin, could you tell us a bit about Toto?

Toto was founded in 1917 as a maker of bathroom items. At the time, most toilets in Japan were made of wood, and Toto introduced more hygienic and durable toilets made of porcelain, which at the time were used only outside Japan.



A Japanese style home toilet, which is rare these days. A Japanese style public toilet, which can be found today in places such as train stations. The toilet on the left includes a small sink at the top for washing hands, a feature which can only be found in Japanese toilets.



And what about the “Washlet,” which caused a revolution by adding a warm water washing feature?



It started in 1964, when a medical apparatus that was used in America was imported and sold in Japan. After a period of research, Japanese-produced models went on sale in 1980. At first, it did not catch on, but then it was named Washlet, and a memorable television commercial made it well known, and it became part of the public consciousness.



Toto’s showroom, where you can have a look at various toilet models.


This toilet uses only 5.5 liters of water when flushed, rather than the usual 13 liters.

People in Japan use Washlets quite regularly now, but what advantage do they have exactly?



The device is designed to clean properly using a stream of water, which cleans better than wiping with paper because water makes dirt come off easily, or makes it soggy. It is also milder on the skin, and helps people who suffer from hemorrhoids.




The Washlet device moves back and forth when in use (left). A toilet lid that rises and lowers automatically.


What new features have been introduced recently?



Previous Washlets released a steady stream of water. However, recent models release water in pulses of varying volumes of water, which has greater cleaning functionality.



A recently developed Washlet that releases water in pulses. The product name is “Wonder Wave.” You can see a video of the device in action by visiting this page, and then clicking on the blue button on the left.



We have heard that some people carry around portable Washlets. About how many toilets are equipped with Washlets?



According to a government survey in March of this year, around 70% of homes have Washlets installed.



The control panel on the latest Washlet model. You can control everything, from the opening and closing of the lid to the strength and direction of the stream of water. The age of touch screen Washlets is not far away.

But why are Japanese toilets so high-tech?

In Europe, there is a history of using bidets. However, in Western countries today, the bathtub and toilet are often in the same room, so there is a likelihood that the toilet will get wet. In Japan, the bathtub and toilet are in separate rooms, so it is possible to use electric appliances in the toilet room. I think this fact is closely related to the development of toilet technology.

A new Washlet feature: an “Auto Sound Remote Control” developed with Kenwood, which emits soothing sounds when you visit the toilet, and evens speaks to you, giving directions for uses. At right, an auto fragrance device which freshens the air in the toilet. Air freshener trays are inserted into the slots.

How do you research consumer needs?

We get questionnaires from users and sometimes speak to them on the telephone. We also visit institutions that use Washlets. Our engineers have a strong desire to improve technical aspects based on our research.








The latest models of toilets include functions to prevent water from splashing upwards during use. At right, Toto’s exhibition as part of Tokyo Design Week.

A simple toilet design for an apartment (left) and a design with wood flooring, which looks more like a regular room than a toilet room.

Are the needs different for home toilets and those in public spaces?

In train stations and other public spaces, a large number of people use the toilets, so durability is very important. When designing toilets for places like department stores, we give consideration to women’s needs, such as creating a space to put on makeup. We are aware that people do not want to touch the devices in public toilets, so many of the functions are automatic.



In Toto’s showroom, you can find all sorts of wonderfully designed products.


How do you think Japanese toilets will change in the future?



In the past, toilet rooms were covered in tiles, but these days they are covered in flooring, with pipes and cables all concealed, making it look like any other room in the home. I think we will move further away from spaces we once considered “toilet-like” in the future.



How about a very sunny toilet room with glass doors?



An age where everyone can have these high-tech toilets can’t be too far away! Thank you Ms. Shimasaki and Toto for your help!

30 Comments

  1. People might not be able to find the toilet in the future, they look like design features when closed!

    Posted by: Andrei Sarusi on December 17th, 2008 at 11:44 pm

  2. I never knew that, in Japan, the toilet and the bathtub / shower are in different rooms. You learn something new every day.

    Posted by: Timothy on December 18th, 2008 at 3:38 am

  3. It was only a matter of time before a Japanese culture mag had an article on weird toilets….

    Posted by: Anonymous on December 18th, 2008 at 9:57 am

  4. weird as it may be for some but I absolutely love Toto toilets. I first got to use one back in Japan 2005 when I visited there, yes it felt weird because I couldn’t fully accept it. I am now an expat living in China and I am lucky that my apt has a toto toilet. I cant imagine not having one in the future. I use maybe 5 sheets (total) of toilet paper after and its clean, very clean.

    Yes it’s pricey and trust me I can’t afford it, yet. But once you use this you won’t look back at other toilets again. Kind of like driving a Chevy and then you get into a Toyota and say “wow i’ll buy a toyota from now on”

    Posted by: Jay K on December 18th, 2008 at 10:57 am

  5. I think I’m kinda spoilt by these toilets by now…I really prefer the ones with the washlets these days…and the warm seat is a definite must in winter !

    Posted by: blauereiter on December 18th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

  6. i love the toilet in japan, too bad we don’t have it here in US so sad. I love the ones with musics and warm air cool my little bum

    Posted by: Anonymous on December 18th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

  7. omg we are so behind. the have these bathroom for years.

    Posted by: whitesucks on December 18th, 2008 at 12:24 pm

  8. We recently developed a shower concept for TOTO…it saves water (-56%) so you can have a long hot shower guilt free!

    http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Indulgence-Shower/156538

    Enjoy…

    Posted by: alex on December 18th, 2008 at 2:03 pm

  9. [...] Open the door to the bathroom, and the toilet lid automatically rises. A soothing sound emanates from the toilet, and as you sit down, deodorizing functions begin to work. Push a button, and the toilet washes your rear end. Push another button and it gently dries it with warm air. The toilet will automatically flush, and when your leave the room, the lid will automatically close. People living in Japan are used to such toilets, but for people visiting for the first time, it can be a source of culture shock.  read the rest [...]

    Posted by: Future Toilets by toilet manufacturer Toto. « on December 19th, 2008 at 5:58 am

  10. [...] out this article from the infamous Ping [...]

    Posted by: Tokyo Toilets | Bebsy by ADN on December 20th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

  11. [...] Japan’s Hi-Tech Toilets [...]

    Posted by: Japan’s Hi-Tech Toilets on December 21st, 2008 at 9:51 am

  12. [...] is nothing to say about Japanese toilets other than the fact that they are [...]

    Posted by: Blog - Airside » Blog Archive » Poo. Japanese style. on December 23rd, 2008 at 1:10 am

  13. In England many homes have toilets and bathtubs separately, not that that’s a good thing though as the sink for washing your hands tends to be in the room with the tub, so you have to run from one to the other with dirty hands… can’t wait for the Toto toilets here!

    Posted by: iyah on December 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 am

  14. Warm toilet seat but no central heating as far a I know in Japan. Just electric/gas stove.

    I also don’t understand why some of the most modern buildings still have squat toilets.

    Posted by: Anonymous on December 24th, 2008 at 1:21 am

  15. [...] almost daily basis. Covering fashion, film, graphics, graffiti, typography, architecture, manga and high-tech toilets, there is always something interesting to look at on PingMag’s pages. It’s easily one [...]

    Posted by: PingMag — Sky Rocket on December 25th, 2008 at 7:11 am

  16. [...] a more in-depth look at the world of Toto toilets, see the recent PingMag interview with Mariko Shimasaki from Toto. For those of you in Tokyo, Toto also runs the excellent Gallery [...]

    Posted by: Business Memes » New Intelligence Toilet II targets women on December 30th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

  17. [...] plus d’informations, consultez l’interview récente de Toto dans PingMag avec Mariko Shimasaki (euh… oui, il est japonais). Vous pouvez aussi visiter la galerie de [...]

    Posted by: Intelligence Toilet pour surveiller sa santé | HabitatMalin.com : produits innovants pour l'habitat on December 30th, 2008 at 6:49 pm

  18. Modern American lifestyles will be force changed by the (GRD) great republican depression, driven by the OPEC and Saudi policies of “Less Oil for More Money” as their wells bottom out. Iraq, Iran and Russia may help, but shortages are the way of the future for oil anyway! The Swedish method of conserving the fertilizer aspect of humanure through composting is more appealing to a world cut short of oil. Americans need methane, also a product of humanure, and may be forced in the near future to exploit these sources vigorously in an attempt to maintain pre-shortage lifestyles. Toilets are very important collectors of a valued resource flow, both for farmers and gas producers. The Japanese will certainly move with the times and give up ostentatious poopers for practical resource collectors very soon. Remember: The American dollar is worth shit!

    Posted by: Uncle B on January 18th, 2009 at 6:33 am

  19. [...] Japan’s Hi-Tech Toilets Open the door to the bathroom, and the toilet lid automatically rises. A soothing sound emanates from the toilet, and as you sit down, deodorizing functions begin to work. Push a button, and the toilet washes your rear end. Push another button and it gently dries it with warm air. The toilet will automatically flush, and when your leave the room, the lid will automatically close. Read the full story>> [...]

    Posted by: Kevin Mcgue - Tokyo-Based Journalist & Filmmaker » Japan’s Hi-Tech Toilets on February 21st, 2009 at 10:43 pm

  20. [...] - omg I used so many of the uber cool high-tech toilets they talk about here!!!    [...]

    Posted by: Ryu Itadani - Tokyo-based artist « eversoslightlyaltered / work in progress on March 2nd, 2009 at 8:39 am

  21. cool toilets! wad if the music makes us fall asleep…?

    Posted by: Anonymous on May 11th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

  22. Japan’s Hi-Tech Toilets

    Posted by: siteden para kazan on May 31st, 2009 at 2:51 am

  23. Is the first picture correct? The toilet is in the middle of an office? Talk about open plan living!

    Posted by: Berg Katse on July 25th, 2009 at 8:34 pm

  24. hangi network daha çok kazandırıyor

    Posted by: kazandıran network on July 31st, 2009 at 5:34 am

  25. nasıl para kazanırsın

    Posted by: forever on July 31st, 2009 at 5:35 am

  26. kariyer ve para ikiside burada

    Posted by: kariyer ve para on August 6th, 2009 at 6:33 am

  27. cool toilets! wad if the music makes us fall asleep…?

    Posted by: para nasıl kazanılır on August 11th, 2009 at 7:54 am

  28. para kazanma yöntemleri

    Posted by: ek gelir imkanı oluştur on September 11th, 2009 at 8:07 pm

  29. aloevera ürünlerinin tarihçesi

    Posted by: aloevera tarihçesi on September 21st, 2009 at 3:36 am

  30. when i saw HI-Tech toilet
    i just had to click on it
    it made me so curious
    i actually thought it as talking toilet and
    music wow cool even cooler that the music playing toothbrush

    Posted by: Elise on October 4th, 2009 at 3:27 am

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