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
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Tokyo security guard’s famous station tape font becomes official custom Nike streetwear
Godiva Japan gets into the shaved ice scene with two luxurious frozen desserts this summer
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new cold soup smoothies to its convenience store drinks range
New Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
Koei Tecmo continues to be an investment firm that also happens to make video games
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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】