The Japanese Toilet

Saturday, January 28, 2012
Posted by: Tootsie, not Tootie (insert flushing sound here):

Since apparently I--the one cursed with a tender tummy--have become the family spokesperson on using the toilet while traveling abroad, I thought I should include a short essay on The Japanese Toilet.

I first met up with The Japanese Toilet during our 5 second layover in Narita on the way to Vietnam. As you may remember, an airport employee was waiting for us when we got off the plane from Seattle--and what we thought would be a 3 hour layover had been changed (or perhaps was confused because of the time change/difference??) and we now had about 10 minutes before our flight to Vietnam took off. While MarcoPolo and TwoLively waited for the 4 super-efficient workers to make sure we got on the next flight, I, of course, had to use the bathroom!

I ran to the nearest restroom (not because I was in a rush to use the toilet this time, but because of the general rush to get on the plane...) and was startled to find that not only were each of the stalls extremely private (none of the big gaping cracks like we have in US public restrooms- you know the kind that while you are sitting there you can actually see the person washing their hands in the sink across from your stall's entire outfit- hair to toenail polish) but they offered a variety of toilets to choose from! I was caught off guard when I opened the first door and found what I like to call "The Amazing Japanese Toilet from the Future/and/or Outer Space."

Look at everything it can do! Just a little intimidating at first...

There were waaaay too many buttons on that one--and I was in a hurry--so I backed out of that stall and went into the second stall. The second also startled me because it was a squat toilet (little did I know that THIS squat toilet was a lot nicer than the ones I would come to know shortly in Vietnam.)

I didn't know which direction you were to face... Is it different if you are a boy or girl?? Who knew? I sure didn't!

Too bad the Narita Airport didn't have a how-to plaque like this!

The third door held the most familiar and straightforward option: a "Western" toilet. You sit down in an obvious direction, you do your business, the paperwork, and flush. That's it! Easy-said and easy-done. I made a mental note that I would have to further investigate the awesome selection of toilets during our long layover on the way home.

I remember this, and even before we left the airport for our Narita adventure, I had to try out "The Amazing Japanese Toilet from the Future/and/or Outer Space." I tried it all: bidet, shower, heated-seat, adjustable water temperature and pressure, flushing sounds, deodorizing spray...you name it...if it was on the control panel, I tried it. And before you go judging me saying, "EWWWW a bidet???" just remember: "Don't knock it 'til you try it!" And I say TRY IT! It was like having a video game installed on the side of your toilet.

So if there is some "Amazing Japanese Toilet from the Future/and/or Outer Space" company that wants me to try out their product--in the comfort of my own home--and blog about it every day: I'll do it! Don't underestimate the power of the bidet to provide a clean and happy bootay. And, as we all know, a clean bootay makes for a happier, healthier you!