Quick answer

Most public toilets are Western-style and very clean, many with a washlet control panel. Stations always have one. Carry a small hand towel, because many restrooms have no paper towels or dryers.

Japanese toilets get talked about like a joke: the heated seat, the button panel, the sound effects. What nobody mentions is how often you’ll rely on public restrooms here, and how good most of them are.

The short version:

  • Most public toilets we used were Western-style, and very clean.
  • Many have a washlet panel, some are completely basic.
  • Every station has a restroom. So do most parks, temples and shopping centres.
  • Carry a small hand towel. Paper towels are often missing.

The washlet panel, simplified

A lot of toilets come with a control panel on the side or on the wall. Depending on the place, it can have:

  • Bidet or washing spray
  • Water pressure adjustment
  • Heated seat
  • Drying
  • Flush controls
  • A sound button for privacy

The first time, it looks intimidating, sometimes with no English at all. The icons do most of the work. Look for the spray icon, and find the stop button (usually orange or red) before you press anything else.

Not every toilet had a panel. Some were much simpler, just a normal seat and a flush. What stayed the same everywhere was how clean they were, whether it was a station, a temple or a small town.

Squat toilets

They still exist in some older stations, temples and rural spots. On our trip, we didn’t really come across them, but don’t be surprised if you do. Tip: you face the hooded end, not the other way.

Most larger stations also have an accessible stall with a Western-style toilet.

Where to find one

  • Train stations → always, and usually clean.
  • Parks and temple grounds → well maintained.
  • Department stores and malls → easy to find, well signed.
  • Convenience stores → some let you use theirs, but it depends on the store.

Busy stations can have a line at rush hour. If you can, time your break outside commute hours.

Small detail I liked: many stalls have a little fold-down seat on the wall to hold a baby. Useful if you’re travelling with an infant.

The one thing to carry

A small hand towel or handkerchief. Many restrooms only have a sink, no paper towels and no dryer. Locals carry one, and after the first couple of days, so did I.

Toilet paper is almost always there, but a small packet in your bag doesn’t hurt for rural stops.

My advice

Don’t overthink the panel. Worst case, you ignore the extra buttons and it’s a normal toilet. Keep a small towel with you every day, and you’re sorted.