| In a country known for innovative technology, | | | | that, are the washlets that have a variety of |
| are we really justified in being surprised | | | | features to please everyone (...yes, we are |
| that they have the most advanced public | | | | still talking toilets). The control panel for |
| toilets as well? Concentrating on comfort, | | | | the Washlet might remind you of something you |
| cleanliness and even attempting to ease | | | | might see in a spaceship; these toilets may |
| embarrassment, Japanese toilets are far | | | | look ordinary, but are anything but normal. |
| beyond what most expect, though for anyone | | | | |
| living there, these should be fast becoming | | | | A common feature on each is a bidet, which |
| the norm. | | | | can be combined with toilet paper, or used on |
| | | | its own to wash anything and everything. Most |
| Of course we won't go into the health befits | | | | have two nozzles, with adjustable water |
| of the squat toilets from yesteryears that | | | | pressure to each area, gently cleansing |
| are still common here, but are really not as | | | | without being uncomfortable. Many Washlets |
| innovative as you'd hope from the Japanese. | | | | have built in dryers, making toilet paper |
| Those you'd find in other Asian countries as | | | | unnecessary. Comfort doesn't stop here |
| well, mostly in villages though. | | | | though, with heaters attached, cold seats are |
| | | | a thing of the past. Some models even have |
| When it comes to a bit of innovation, it | | | | automated lid opening, closing and flushing, |
| starts here by eliminating embarrassment. | | | | catering to males and females with the push |
| Talk about the discomfort of knowing someone | | | | of a button. |
| is in a stall next to you and can actually | | | | |
| hear you making some funny sounds; funny to | | | | Making those unavoidable trips to the loo is |
| them but embarrassing for you. Japanese tech | | | | never welcomed by anyone, but Japanese have |
| people have remedied this by creating a | | | | made the whole thing an experience worth |
| device commonly referred to as a 'Sound | | | | trying. The only main problem that most |
| Princess'. Found in almost all of the newer | | | | tourists face in these toilets is the |
| public restrooms, the device, when turned on, | | | | language barrier. The control panels have |
| literally sounds like a flushing toilet, | | | | Japanese instructions and once seated getting |
| drowning out any other sound that might be | | | | up can become tricky. There is no question |
| made when using the facilities. This ensures | | | | though that these toilets are catching up in |
| that even the shyest of people can relax, | | | | the rest of the world as well, even the |
| knowing no one can hear them. | | | | hi-tech man in black, Will Smith, when |
| | | | building his house got the Japanese to supply |
| What Japan really has to offer in modern | | | | his toilets. |
| toilets industry, if you want to call it | | | | |