Japanese Toilets: Washlets and Etiquette

Japanese toilets are famous for comfort and care. Learn what Washlet features do, how to read the buttons, and the etiquette for slippers and stalls.

Published October 16, 2026 at 10:26 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Washlet is Toto's brand name, introduced in 1980, for the high-tech Japanese toilet with a heated seat and an adjustable washing function. Learn the stop button first, start with gentle settings, and take toilet slippers off when you leave the restroom.

The Bathroom Everyone Talks About

Ask returning visitors about their favorite Japanese surprise, and the toilet often makes the list. Heated seats, gentle washing, quiet sound effects and spotless public restrooms all add up to a level of comfort that many travelers remember long after the trip. Public toilets have even become a design showcase, with a famous Tokyo project turning small park restrooms into architectural landmarks. This guide explains what the high-tech toilets do, how to use the controls with confidence and how to follow the etiquette that locals appreciate.

Where the Washlet Came From

The word Washlet is a brand name from the manufacturer Toto, which introduced the product in 1980. It has since become the everyday term for high-tech Japanese toilets in general, much as people say vacuum for any vacuum cleaner. By the early 2000s, reference sources report that almost half of private Japanese homes had one, and the feature continues to be popular in homes, hotels and many public facilities. Basic models offer a heated seat, a washing function and deodorizing, and many models let you adjust the settings.

The idea behind it is comfort and hygiene. A small nozzle sits beneath the seat and sprays water at an adjustable temperature and pressure, and the nozzle cleans itself before and after use. A seat sensor makes sure the function turns off when you stand up. Many homes in Japan lack central heating, so a warm seat is a welcome touch in winter. Seat warmers typically offer adjustable settings somewhere between about 30 and 40 degrees Celsius. Researchers cited in reference sources have suggested that water around 38 degrees Celsius is a comfortable level for the washing function. In practice, most machines let you tune both settings with a few taps, so you can find what feels right.

Controls, Stalls and Toilet Types

The control panel can look intimidating at first. It is usually mounted on the wall beside the toilet or on the side of the seat, with buttons marked by pictograms, Japanese characters and sometimes English labels. One button usually stops the water, which is the most useful one to find first. Others adjust the position of the nozzle, the strength of the water and the temperature of the seat or the water.

The safest approach is to start gently. Choose a low pressure setting and increase it only if you want more. Read the labels or use a translation app on your phone if the pictures are unclear, and press a stop button if you ever feel unsure. Experimenting is part of the fun, and nobody will mind if you take your time to learn the buttons.

Another feature you may notice is Otohime, which means Sound Princess. It plays a recorded flushing sound to mask other noises, and was introduced by Toto in the 1980s. It can be built into the toilet or added as a separate unit, and is triggered by a button or a motion sensor. You may see it in public restrooms as a small box on the wall.

Western-style seated toilets are now common in hotels, stations, department stores and airports. Many restrooms offer a mix of seated and squat toilets, and the stall doors are usually marked with a symbol or the characters for Western style. Squat toilets remain common in some schools, temples, parks and older buildings, according to reference sources. If you prefer a seat, look for the sign or check the next stall.

Accessible restrooms are always Western-style, and these multipurpose rooms are often spacious with extra features. Signs are usually clear, and staff in stations or shops can point you toward the nearest restroom if you ask.

Some public restrooms may not include soap or paper towels, and many people carry a small handkerchief or hand towel for drying. Dryers are often provided as an alternative. Carrying a pack of tissues is a handy habit for travelers, since supplies vary. This is a small detail that makes daily trips smoother.

Slippers, Stalls and Everyday Etiquette

In some homes and facilities, you may find a pair of special toilet slippers just outside or inside the restroom. They are meant to be worn only in the toilet area, which keeps clean and unclean spaces separate. Swap into them when you enter, then change back to your own shoes or house slippers when you leave. Forgetting to take them off is a very common mistake among visitors, so it is worth remembering.

A few other courtesies help. Keep restrooms tidy for the next person, and flush toilet paper but place other items in the waste bin if one is provided. Queues are usually orderly, so wait behind the line and take the next free stall. Speak softly on the phone, and avoid lingering for long periods during busy times.

Respect any signs about what can be flushed, and follow them carefully. If you are unsure, ask staff or follow the example of other users.

A Showcase of Design: The Tokyo Toilet Project

Public restrooms in Tokyo have also become a source of pride. The Tokyo Toilet project redesigned 17 public toilet locations across Shibuya, working with 16 creators from around the world, including well-known architects such as Tadao Ando, Toyo Ito, Kengo Kuma, Fumihiko Maki and Shigeru Ban. The sites opened between May 2020 and March 2023, and all of them have Washlet systems and wheelchair access. The project is managed by Shibuya City with partners including Toto and Daiwa House.

One of the most talked-about designs, by Shigeru Ban, uses transparent tinted glass so that people can see the interior before they enter. Fans of architecture sometimes plan a walk to see several in one afternoon. Please remember that these are real public facilities, so be considerate and keep your visit short.

Quick Takeaways

Japanese toilets blend comfort, hygiene and thoughtful design. Learn the stop button, start with gentle settings, look for the symbol that shows a Western-style stall and carry a handkerchief. Remember to leave toilet slippers where you found them and to keep restrooms tidy.

Once you know the basics, the toilet becomes one of the most pleasant surprises of a trip. Take a moment to enjoy the quiet, the warmth and the care that goes into everything. It is a small piece of daily life that says a lot about Japanese hospitality. Every restroom visit is a chance to notice a thoughtful detail, from a warm seat to a spotless floor. Approach it with curiosity, and you will likely come away smiling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Washlet?

Washlet is the brand name of a Toto toilet seat introduced in 1980 and now used for high-tech Japanese toilets in general. It usually offers a heated seat, a washing nozzle with adjustable temperature and pressure, and deodorizing. Many homes, hotels and public facilities have one.

How do I use the buttons on a Japanese toilet?

Find the stop button first, then start with a low pressure setting and increase only if you wish. Buttons usually have pictograms, and a translation app can help with the labels. The nozzle cleans itself and the water turns off when you stand up.

Are squat toilets still used in Japan?

Squat toilets remain in some schools, temples, parks and older buildings, but many restrooms now offer Western-style seats as well. Western-style stalls are usually marked with a symbol or the characters for Western style. Accessible restrooms are always Western-style.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Traveling Respectfully in Japan: Small Habits That Make a Big Difference, Nara Park Deer: Visiting With Care and Sento: Japan's Neighborhood Public Baths.