When using toilets in Japan, leave toilet paper in the toilet bowl and flush the toilet after use. * Papers that can be flushed down the toilet are only toilet paper and other paper that can be flushed. * Please dispose of sanitary napkins and tampons in the wastebasket installed on the side of the toilet.
The traditional Japanese-style (和式, washiki) toilet is the squat toilet. A squat toilet differs from a sitting toilet in both construction and method of employment. A squat toilet essentially looks like a miniature urinal set horizontally into the floor.
Japan distinguishes between 'Japanese style' squat toilets and 'Western style' seated toilets, and they also have urinals for men (which may be positioned lower than they are in Australia). Seated toilets are gaining popularity in Japan, but squat toilets are not going away anytime soon.
The Japanese like to separate what you do inside the four walls of a toilet to the rest of the outside world. That's why you'll be instructed to take off your shoes and wear slippers inside many, but not all, Japanese toilets (e.g., toilets inside ryokans, some restaurants, and all homes).
Public toilets in Japan are extremely clean and well maintained. You'll notice that toilets at most airports, train stations, hotels, department stores, and other public spaces are generally clean and in good working condition.
Paris has some of the best public restroom infrastructure in the world, and the city is miles ahead of everyone else. The QS Supplies team scoured a list of the world's most popular cities to judge their public toilet infrastructure.
Traditionally, cleanliness has been a big part of Japanese culture, and Japanese people unconsciously make an effort in many aspects every day to keep the country clean.
Slippers are provided by the host. If you are not wearing socks, it is polite to bring a fresh pair of socks to wear after removing your outdoor shoes because entering someone's house barefoot is not considered well mannered, although acceptable in informal situations.
People in Japan hold cleanliness in high regard, taking great care in keeping an immaculate home. This means that their home should not be soiled by the dirt on your shoes. So it is customary to take off your shoes and usually wear the provided slippers.
Both traditional and modern Japanese bathrooms might or might not have toilet paper and hand towels for drying after washing hands. If you are in a fancy department store or hotel, you should have a washlet toilet with built-in dryer, toilet paper, automatic hand dryers and paper towels.
Pat dry with toilet paper
Since you're already clean from your bidet, you won't need much toilet paper to do so–just enough to remove any excess water. Use a gentle pat-dry motion instead of a wipe to avoid any irritation. That's all there is to it.
To be legally installed in Australia, certain plumbing and drainage products, including bidet products, must be certified through the WaterMark Certification Scheme , which is administered by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB).
Since their inception in 1980, dual-flush toilets were made to reduce the amount of water flushed during use. They feature two different buttons to perform two different kinds of flushes. The difference in buttons depends on the waste in the toilet. One button for liquid waste, another for solid waste.
That is the bathroom. Almost all toilets in Japan are well maintained and kept spotlessly clean to ensure the utmost comfort for all travelers to Japan. On the whole, toilets are free to use and toilet paper is always provided.
In Japan, there is a tradition that the students themselves clean their schools. For just 15 minutes at the end of the day, students use brooms, vaccuums, and cloths to clean the classrooms, bathrooms, and other school spaces.
The good news is that most toilets in Japan are free to the public, well maintained and very clean.
Crossing your feet in some cultures is considered very rude. In Japan you are expected to sit erect with both feet on the floor and never cross your ankle over your knee. In Singapore, as in many Asia cultures, the foot is thought to be unclean and should not be used to point at someone.
Japanese have developed the custom of eating meals sitting on tatami mats, not on chairs. They also roll out the futon on which they sleep on the tatami floor. Therefore, they take their shoes off when entering the house to avoid getting the floor dirty.
Don't wear shoes indoors.
“Outdoor” shoes are considered unclean, and for this reason they're replaced with “indoor” slippers at the entranceway. This no-shoe rule also extends to traditional ryoken hotels, some public spaces like temples and shrines, and schools and hospitals.
Casual clothing is common in Japan outside of Tokyo's business district. Shorts, jeans, and camisoles are perfectly fine to wear as long as you don't plan on attending religious sites.
Wear slip-on shoes
While flip flops are a big no-no for most occasions (save for a trip to the beach or a midnight run to the conbini), comfy ballet flats, loafers, boat shoes, or even a nice pair of slip-on sneakers are practical options. You might also notice that open-toed shoes and sandals are uncommon.
Today, people wear them to sleep, lounge around, or attend to their children's bedtime rituals. In Japan, pajamas are called yukata or jinbei. Yukaya are always one-piece garments with wide sleeves and are traditionally made from cotton or silk fabrics in bright colors.
Finland ranks first in the world for Environmental Health (99.3) and Air Quality (98.8), as well as achieving perfect 100s for Sanitation & Drinking Water and Heavy Metals Exposure. The country also prioritizes forest and wildlife conservation.
Yes, drinking water from taps in Japan is safe. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water whilst travelling in Japan. Metro train stations have public water fountains, but otherwise these can be hard to find (this is the land of vending machines after all).