Japanese Culture Center

Japanese Restrooms

 
Which way is front? 
The Japanese style toilet will probably be your biggest challenge while in Japan.  Due to cost effectiveness of this style of toilet, they are common in department stores and many restaraunts.  Many foreigners are baffled as to which way to face when squatting to do what they came to do.  You should face the raised portion of the toilet when you....go. 

Japanese Style Toilet The Japanese style toilet can be challenging to use.  

The secret toilet 
For those of you who no matter how many times you try, can not use the Japanese style toilet, there is a secret that you should remember when in Japan.  All of the handicapped bathrooms are American style toilets.  Most major department stores have them.  They are generally not on every floor so you must ask where they are.  Don't worry there is not a penalty or law that prohibits using the handicapped toilet.  And many Japanese, I am sure, will understand.

Glossary of Terms

You must have a Real Player version 5 or above to listen to the words.  You can obtain a FREE player from Real's Web Site.  Click on the raplay.gif (154 ???)button to listen.

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toire

 toilet

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otearai

 restroom (literally means "hand washing") this is polite

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youshiki
toire

 western style toilet

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washiki
toire

 Japanese style toilet

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