"Transparent" public toilets installed at Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward. The walls turn opaque when locked from the inside. (©Sankei by Kazuya Kamogawa)
Often described as a global leader in toilet technology, Japan continues to push the evolution of public restrooms. TOTO, a leading sanitary ware manufacturer, is rolling out full-scale services that connect restroom facilities in commercial buildings, train stations, and other public spaces to the internet, improving maintenance and cleaning efficiency.
The company has also introduced a feature that allows users to request cleaning via smartphone, helping to further raise hygiene standards. As the quality of public toilets can make or break a tourist destination's reputation, local governments are stepping up their efforts. At the same time, the ingenuity of manufacturers and facility managers is helping to enhance Japan's image abroad.
Connected Toilets
TOTO is promoting a system that uses the Internet of Things (IoT), which connects everyday fixtures to the internet. Sensors are installed on toilet seats, automatic washbasin faucets, and other equipment, allowing facility managers to monitor restroom conditions remotely.
The system tracks how often each fixture is used and identifies stalls that have gone unused for long periods, helping managers optimize cleaning schedules and spot potential issues early. Remote control functions also make it possible to adjust the temperature of warm-water bidet seats, known as "washlets," reducing the workload for maintenance staff.
Multiple Languages
In August 2025, a new feature was introduced that allows users to request cleaning or toilet paper refills via smartphone, addressing common restroom frustrations. Users can also check congestion levels and see whether facilities for young children are available.
While TOTO has not disclosed how many facilities use the system, adoption is said to be spreading, particularly in Tokyo. Keita Noda of TOTO's IoT Promotion Group explains: "Elevators and air-conditioning systems have already benefited from efficiency gains through IoT, but toilets are still often managed manually. We want to continue updating the system and drive further innovation."
User-facing features are available in multiple languages, allowing international visitors to locate restrooms easily on their smartphones.
Toilets Matter
According to a 2023 survey by TOTO of foreign visitors to Japan, 47.1% said that well-equipped and comfortable toilet facilities improved their impression of the area. Meanwhile, 93% reported becoming more concerned about the cleanliness of public toilets after the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring growing demand for higher hygiene standards as part of Japan-style hospitality.
Across Japan, efforts to upgrade public toilets are gaining momentum. One notable example is The Tokyo Toilet project, launched in recent years by The Nippon Foundation and Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. The project saw 17 public toilets in the ward redesigned by 16 creators, including world-renowned architects Tadao Ando and Kengo Kuma.
Guided by the concept of toilets that anyone can use comfortably, regardless of gender, age, or disability, the project combines distinctive design with advanced technology from companies such as TOTO to create highly functional public restrooms.
According to Shibuya Ward, government officials from South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore have visited to study the project. A ward official notes, "We don't just build them and walk away — we place strong emphasis on maintenance, including cleaning up to three times a day."
Toilets and Tourism
In Okutama, a town in western Tokyo that promotes itself as home to Japan's cleanest tourist public toilets, new construction and renovations have been underway for more than a decade. Cleaning contractors polish the floors so thoroughly that it would be safe to lie down on them. A tourism division official states emphatically, "Improving toilets improves the town's image."
Gunma Prefecture has also introduced a certification system to recognize clean and safe toilet facilities, viewing them as a key factor in shaping a tourist destination's image. As of fiscal 2024, 259 locations had received certification, helping raise standards across the prefecture. Similar initiatives are now spreading to Kochi Prefecture and other regions.
Conversely, negative impressions of public toilets can harm a country's image. In South Korea, some media reports have noted that shared toilets at major tourist sites are sometimes locked or poorly maintained, leaving foreign visitors with an unfavorable impression.
A 2021 ranking of public toilets published by UK-based restroom equipment supplier QS Supplies placed Iceland first in per-capita availability. The United States, despite being one of the world's leading tourist destinations, ranked 30th, with a shortage of public toilets emerging as a social issue.
Japan, where warm-water bidet seats and other advanced features are widely available, has gained recognition for its high-tech toilets. Driven by a uniquely Japanese spirit of hospitality, the country continues to pursue further improvements to enhance user comfort and satisfaction.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
