Toilets in Japan

There are two kinds of toilets in Japan: the traditional Japanese-style toilet (or 'squat toilet') and the Western-style toilet. Public washrooms have Japanese-style toilets although in many tourist areas you may find at least one Western-style toilet. In public washrooms toilet paper is uncommon so please remember to always carry tissue paper everywhere you go (there are tissue paper vending machines located outside of the public washrooms). If you want to only use a Western-style toilet then it is best to use the toilets in department stores or in hotel lobbies. However, if you have to use a Japanese-style toilet here are some basic tips:

• Face the hood of the toilet
• Pull down your pants completely below your knees
• Squat down as closely to the hood as possible. If the toilet is elevated (such toilets are usually found on trains), you need to stand on a raised platform while squatting
• There is usually a small bar to hold on to if you have trouble keeping your balance while squatting

In a Japanese home or a ryokan, the toilet and the bathing area are often in separate rooms. In some places, however, they are in the same room just like in a Western home or hotel. If there is a toilet room, guests may find toilet slippers, which are to be worn only inside the toilet room. Leave your regular slippers outside, step inside the toilet room and immediately put on the toilet slippers. When you leave the toilet room, please leave the toilet slippers behind and change back into your regular slippers.

For more information, take a look at Japanese Toilets at Japan Guide.

Other Useful Ryokan Information

If you have never stayed at a ryokan, then Planning Your Stay at a Japanese Ryokan will help you better plan your stay.

Our Ryokan Styles page will tell you about the various types of ryokans available

If it is your first time staying at a ryokan, you may want to read our page on Ryokan Customs

Here is some more detailed information about Staying at a Ryokan including ryokan cuisine

For more information about dining on Japanese "kaiseki," please see Japanese "Kaiseki" (traditional, multi-course dinner)

In A Ryokan Experience, a guest describes his stay at a ryokan on Miyajima Island

Read Interviews with Three Kyoto Ryokan Owners and their experiences hosting foreign guests

A step-by-step explanation of how to put on a Japanese "yukata" (robe)

Here is a description about the dos and don'ts of Japanese Bathing Etiquette, and here is how to use a Japanese-style toilet

How big is a tatami mat room? Go to this Tatami Mat Conversion Table and find out.

Read David Paget's article "Japanese Buddhist Temple Overnight" and a guest's article "A Night on Mount Koya" about their experiences staying overnight at Buddhist Temples on Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture.

Read guest's Comments about their ryokan stays

• Planning Your Stay at a Japanese Ryokan
• Ryokan Customs
• Staying at a Ryokan
• Japanese "Kaiseki" (traditional, multi-course dinner)
• Ryokan Styles
• A Ryokan Experience
• Interviews with Three Kyoto Ryokan Owners
• How to Put on a Japanese "Yukata" (Robe)
• Japanese Bathing Etiquette
• Japanese-style toilet
• Tatami Mat Conversion Table
• Japanese Buddhist Temple Overnight
• A Night on Mount Koya
• Guest's Comments