With every man and his dog having heard tales of Japan’s heated, butt-cheek-massaging, water-squirting thrones or experienced them firsthand by now, the country’s space-age toilets are nothing new.
Why the contraptions haven’t quite caught on overseas yet still amazes me, but Japan continues to do toilets exceedingly well, and few things on this earth please this writer more than opening a stall door and being greeted by a sensor-activated toilet whose lid opens to greet me with the fondness of a dog whose master has just return from a weekend away.
But with all those buttons, dials and functions, Japan’s toilets seem to have peaked. Today’s toilet enthusiasts demand something more! Luxury, ladies and gentlemen, does not come from mere electronics; it comes from spacious, tranquil privacy.
In search of just that, our lucky writer over at RocketNews24 Japan headed out to Chiba prefecture, the home of the world’s most spacious public restroom, documenting the entire process on our behalf. Well, maybe not the entire of the process…
Before we set off, does anyone need to pee?
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
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Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever muscat-flavoured chilled cup drink
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New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Starbucks Japan has a mesh bag so cute it’s a sell-out hit
Art exhibition coming to Tokyo this month brings the cute, scary, and weird to ukiyo-e
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
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Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Starbucks Japan has a problem with its sell-out breakfast that might annoy solo diners
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
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Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
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Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
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
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Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
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Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
What’s it like to join Tokyo’s walking-and-talking-with-strangers club for a day?
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Starbucks Japan has a mesh bag so cute it’s a sell-out hit
Art exhibition coming to Tokyo this month brings the cute, scary, and weird to ukiyo-e
7-Eleven Japan adds a new watermelon smoothie to its convenience stores…but is it worth the hype?
Japanese government postpones proposals to restrict real estate purchases by foreigners
Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo to remain closed for the summer following stabbing incident
Extra-cute Sea Animal crepes come to Japan’s cafe chain born from a sweet fashion brand
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Krispy Kreme releases a new Doughwich… at only one store in Japan
New littering fine now being enforced in some of Tokyo’s most heavily touristed areas
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
And now, a crazy-looking way to stay cool this summer, from Japan’s crazy gadget company