With their heated seats, hidden sensors and warm water cleansing systems, Japanese toilets are used to being the centre of attention in hotel bathrooms, public restrooms and ordinary residences all around the country.
Now its time for their next-of-kin to get an upgrade, with a new machine set to revolutionise toilet paper dispensers, making it possible to automatically cut sheets and even fold the final edge into a neat little triangle for the next person to use.
A total of 10 companies in Japan put their combined energies into the creation of the new automated paper cutting and folding machine. Called the Orifuji, the concept initially came about as a way to express the Japanese culture of omotenashi, or hospitality, in restrooms ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In Japan, good hospitality and cleanliness go hand-in-hand, and every time a stall is cleaned, the toilet paper ends are folded into a crisp triangular point to let users know they’re doing their business on a freshly cleaned throne. Japanese cleaners might be hard-working but they’re not able to step in after every visitor to tend to the toilet paper ends, and that’s where the Orifuji comes into play, providing an automated triangle every time a sheet of paper is used, instantly making everything look new and fresh.
To see the machine at work, check out the short video below.
In addition to folding the paper into a neat-looking point, the Orifuji makes it easy to replace toilet paper rolls and helps to keep things sanitary by eliminating the need for direct contact with the dispenser. To use it, all you have to do is slowly pull out the paper to the desired length, lift it lightly and the machine will tear it off for you.
We can’t wait to see these in restrooms around the country soon. Hopefully one day the technology will eventually evolve to bring us more entertaining folds like origami toilet paper designs!
Source: Jimdo, H/T Kotaku US
Top Image: YouTube/Sekai Saisoku Shisaku Centre (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert Images: Screenshot YouTube/Sekai Saisoku Shisaku Centre
Is Japan’s custom of folding the toilet paper into a triangle for the next user unsanitary?
Nagoya City Council debates: Is toilet paper really needed in public restrooms?
Reactions to video showing how awesome Japanese toilet paper holders are leave us laughing 【Vid】
Toilet paper miracle ends 11 harrowing minutes in a Harajuku McDonald’s restroom
PooPaint Toilet paper lets you make art with your poop
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Chinese Disney fans worry that an upcoming Pixar short film will be banned from theaters
Disney princesses re-imagined as Indian brides! Which gorgeous gown is your favourite?
Disney young adult novels get new beautiful shojo anime-style covers for Japan
Star Wars stormtroopers don Gundam armor in fan’s awesome crossover models 【Videos/Photos】
Travel to a Japanese convenience store at an active volcano
Drunk Japanese woman found sleeping in street by 86-year-old man who comes to her rescue
Hayao Miyazaki gifts autographed Ghibli anime cel to president of France[Photo]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Japan’s new custom-order cat-theme toilet paper lets you wipe your butt with cuteness
People in Japan are now stealing toilet paper in midst of coronavirus crisis
Old dog shows new trick with very Japanese solution to toilet paper wall challenge【Video】
Did you know you can “wash” your smartphone at McDonald’s in Japan? 【Video】