How to use a Japanese-style toilet

This post is also available in 日本語

Recently, “Western-style toilets” which you use sitting down have become mainstream. Talking about Japanese toilet, people have a strong image of the “WASHLET” and high-functionality toilets. However, “Japanese-style” toilets used since ancient times, which are used in a crouching position, are still found in a variety of places. On this occasion, I would like to show you to how to use a Japanese-style toilet.

Japanese-style toilets

Japanese-style toilets are in the shape of a slipper. The dome-shaped area at the front is called the “Kinkakushi”. Normally, there is a lever to flush the toilet installed beyond the “Kinkakushi”. There is no “toilet seat” for you to sit on as is found with a Western toilet. In the case of a Western-style toilet, you turn your back on the lever to flush the toilet, but in standard Japanese-style toilets, you are in a position with your back facing the door.

How to use a Japanese-style toilet

1. Straddle the toilet so that the “Kinkakushi” is in front of you.
   Make sure that you are facing the right way.
2. Pull down your underwear and use the toilet in a crouching pose.
   You must not use it standing up. You must also not sit directly on the toilet.
   
   Sit in a position close to the “Kinkakushi” so that you do not dirty the area around the toilet.
   Sit in a crouched position and make sure that your buttocks do not stick out beyond the toilet.
   
3. Make sure that you flush the toilet after using it.
   You must not dispose of used toilet paper in the trash can.
   Make sure that you flush it away in the toilet with the excrement.
   

Things that may be flushed in the toilet

Toilet paper in Japan is finely pulverized when it is flushed, so that it dissolves easily in water. Make sure you flush the used toilet paper in the toilet.

Ordinary tissue paper does not dissolve in water. Please do not try to be flushed this on a daily basis. （Tissue paper that can be flushed in water will have this fact marked on the packet.）

Things you must not flush in the toilet

• Sanitary products
  In female cubicles, you will normally find a trash can exclusively for the disposal of female sanitary products.
• Paper diapers
• Other garbage

How to flush the toilet

There are a wide variety of ways of flushing the toilet. Additionally, in the case of Japanese-style toilets, there is normally no automatic flush function. Recently, the number of people who have become accustomed to automatic flush toilets has increased. After using the toilet, make sure that it has be flushed and the toilet is clean before leaving.

• Push the lever handle in front of the “Kinkakushi” down with your hand or foot.
  
• Move the lever handle on the water tank with your hand
  
• Press the button to flush the toilet
  This is normally located near the toilet paper holder.
  Make sure that you do not press the emergency call button by mistake.
  
• Hold up your hand against the sensor to flush the toilet
  This is normally located near the toilet paper holder.
  

How to differentiate toilets

Japanese-style toilets may be seen in everyday homes and may also be found located in facilities such as parks or stations. There are also places that have both Western-style and Japanese-style toilets.

Where both are installed, the format for the respective cubicle will may be depicted by an illustration on the door of the toilet. If you find it difficult to use a Japanese-style toilet, you should check the illustration before entering the cubicle.

Reference
https://www.toto.com/en/washlet_bestseller/how/