Travelling to Japan brings surprises that go well beyond unfamiliar dishes. One of the biggest culture shocks can come in traditional toilets, where the squat-style design demands a posture that differs from the Western approach most of us use in everyday life.
How does the traditional Japanese toilet work?
Known locally as a washiki, this toilet is set directly into the floor and has a distinctive oval-shaped form. One end features a rounded cover, created to help guide waste and deliver maximum hygiene while using the facility in that environment.
Unlike modern models with heated seats, this older version keeps the simplicity of earlier Japanese design. The system relies mainly on gravity and water flow, which means the user needs to understand the correct operation to avoid unwanted mishaps in the space.
The main structural parts of this traditional toilet include:
- Floor opening: the exact point where waste is deposited.
- Kinkakushi: the rounded front cover that acts as an essential protective shield.
- Flush mechanism: a lever positioned close to the front wall.
- Side footrests: textured, non-slip areas for placing your feet securely.
- Toilet-roll holder: a mount fitted within easy reach.
Why do you face the flush?
The key reason for facing the flush is down to the plumbing design. By turning towards the front wall, the user lines up with the water outlet, helping waste move efficiently through the underground pipework.
The well-known front semi-dome, called the kinkakushi, also plays a vital protective role. This physical barrier helps prevent water splashes and keeps clothing protected, maintaining neatness and supporting personal cleanliness.
Below is a video from the Rachel and Jun YouTube channel that explores the points discussed in this topic in more detail:
What are the benefits of this unusual position?
Using the correct stance can offer unexpected anatomical benefits for digestive health. Squatting in the proper orientation improves the rectal angle, allowing bowel movements to happen naturally, quickly, and without the harmful straining often encouraged by conventional seated toilets in modern life.
Advantages of the tradition
Why does the Eastern design still endure?
The engineering behind the washiki is focused on the user’s wellbeing and on preserving shared spaces in a sustainable way.
Avoiding direct contact with commonly touched surfaces dramatically reduces the spread of microorganisms that can be harmful to public health.
Another major advantage is having no direct contact with a shared toilet seat. Because you do not sit on a surface used by strangers, the risk of bacterial contamination drops significantly, making the process feel far more safe and widely recommended.
The main benefits of this long-established bathroom practice can be summed up as:
- Improved posture: an anatomical alignment that suits the human body.
- Stronger hygiene: zero skin contact with a public toilet.
- Easier cleaning: a simpler structure that needs less upkeep.
Where can you find these toilets in Japan today?
Although high-tech toilets dominate luxury hotels and modern homes, the traditional model still holds on in many public places. Tourists often come across these classic facilities when walking through city parks and at older railway stations scattered across the country.
Historic temples and Shinto shrines carefully preserve this practical layout to stay faithful to the nation’s ancestral traditions. Rural areas away from the biggest cities also rely heavily on this system, making it a must for travellers who want to experience genuine Japanese culture.
The most common places to find these classic toilets include:
- Older train stations: platforms outside the major urban centres.
- Public parks: municipal toilets in open green spaces.
- Historic temples: architectural preservation at traditional landmarks.
How do you use the toilet correctly?
To use a washiki without mistakes, step up to the toilet and position your feet on the marked footrests. Keep your body facing the rounded front cover, then lower yourself fully until you are stable and balanced in a squat throughout the entire process.
Pull up long trouser legs to prevent accidents with flushing water. When you are finished, operate the front lever while staying in position, ensuring the flow cleans thoroughly in the most appropriate and hygienic way during your trip.
Read also: Why Japanese people sit on the toilet facing the flush
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