Do you know what a washlet is? It’s that strange device you often find attached to the toilet in Japan. You know, the one that shoots a cleansing spray of water at your anus after you take a dump!
I’ve been to America many times, but I’ve never found a toilet with a washlet there, much less had the chance to try one out. I have to wonder why people in other countries don’t use this handy device. I mean, if you use a washlet, you never have skid marks and you don’t have to rough up your anus with scratchy toilet paper!
In Japan, you can currently find washlets in the restrooms at stations, department stores, convenience stores, office buildings and any number of other places. The washlet culture has really taken root here. If you are worried about finding yourself in a toilet without a washlet, you can even buy your very own portable one.
So, if you should come to Japan on holiday someday, take a look around at your port of entry, see if you can find a washlet, and don’t be afraid to give it a try. It might feel strange at first, but once you get used to that comfortable sensation, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it. Just like all my other American friends brave enough to take on the washlet…


Osaka convenience store asks customers to muffle their “buree-buree” sounds while in the toilet
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
Everything you think you know about your washlet toilet is wrong
China’s toilet tech showing considerable signs of improvement
$11,000 luxury Japanese toilet will probably give you the best poop experience of your life
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Japan’s Mister Donut Japan tries its hand at Taiwanese-style street food donuts
Bandai cancels gacha/blind-buy system for anime cosmetics, will let fans choose what they buy
Shinto shrine will bless your bike helmet and give you a sacred bike helmet stamp
Only five branches of Japan’s beef bowl giant Matsuya serve milk shakes, but how do they taste?
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Live-action Ghibli Princess Mononoke stage play tickets are now on sale
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Toto to release next-gen Japanese toilet tech that scans and keeps track of your poop
Foreigner delights Japanese netizens with hilarious video about Japanese washlet toilets
Enjoy traditional views of Mt Fuji from your very own luxury toilet
Should you flush a Japanese toilet with your foot or your hand?
Turns out even Japanese people aren’t sure how to use Japanese-style toilets
America is “the land of the free,” but what does that mean? Japanese commenters weigh in
8 Japanese gadgets you wish you had in your country!
American comedian Jimy Kimmel was blown away by Japan’s bathrooms【Video】
Keep Your Phone’s Earphone Jack Clean with These “Glued to the Toilet” Plugs
10 things that surprise foreign women in Japan
Japanese doctor wins Ig Nobel Prize for learning we can kind of breathe in through our butts
Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is selling his private jet because it’s old, gives a tour
Hom-Bot Square: Cleaning those hard to reach places
Too Lazy to Clean? Remote Control Mops and Trash Cans are Here to Help! 【Video】
“100 Neko” recreates all the fun of filling an alley with scores of cat butts on your iPhone