Toilets in Japan
Here at RocketNews24 we love a good toilet story, whether it’s the health benefits of old-school squatters or a visit to a long drop. And the washlet toilet, with its wash-and-blow dry function, noise-masking function and hilariously perplexing control panels, is one of Japan’s most famous inventions.
But what if, just like Napoleon’s height and the Vikings’ spiky helmets, the ultimate icon of technological wizardry is also surrounded by misconception and mystery? What if (almost) everything we know about super-toilets is wrong?
Think you know your washlet? Think again.
If there’s one household commodity that Japan can truly be proud of, it’s their high-tech toilets, particularly the model known as a Washlet. These things are world-famous for their advanced butt-cleansing technologies and heated seats. Why, the simple press of a button has water spraying up out of the bowl like a fountain! To any long-standing member of Japanese society, the warm water jet is obviously intended to help rinse away the residue of a good dump, but what’s a foreign traveler to do when faced with one of these mythical thrones for the first time?
In hopes of preempting any future toilet travesties, we at RocketNews24 would like to introduce you to our demonstrative list of things one shouldn’t do with a Washlet. No, really. While some of these items may seem like clever ways to freshen up after taking care of business, the Washlet is not a one-stop body shop, and we urge you never to try these things at home… or anywhere else for that matter. Read More
MOST POPULAR
Now
Kyoto Whopper divides customers at Burger King Japan
Japanese burger chain no longer serves onion rings, but offers intriguing replacement【Taste test】
Krispy Kreme releases new zodiac doughnuts for the Year of the Snake in Japan
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Starbucks Japan reveals new holiday goods for the 2024 festive season
Japan’s biggest manga magazine is raising its minimum payment rate for creators
Yakuza vending machines coming to real-world Tokyo neighborhood that inspired Like a Dragon games
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Taking the Kyoto overnight bus for the first time
Japan’s first made-to-order natto store will make you fermented beans without the putrid smell
Weekly
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers- Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【Photos】
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Flying dango: Unique tourist site where Japanese sweets are flown to you over a gorge
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Monthly
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】- One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row- Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】- Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
- After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Yearly
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japan’s biggest manga magazine is raising its minimum payment rate for creators
Yakuza vending machines coming to real-world Tokyo neighborhood that inspired Like a Dragon games
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Taking the Kyoto overnight bus for the first time
Japan’s first made-to-order natto store will make you fermented beans without the putrid smell
The Japan Poop Society is making movements to protect people’s health
How do people in Japan feel about eating whale? We asked five people for their opinions
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Everyone cuts their toenails wrong, says Japanese doctor, and here’s how to do it correctly
Online survey reveals startling facts about what young Japanese people think about their country
The little-known inspiration for Princess Mononoke: A manga about a tribe in Papua New Guinea
Taking a trip through time at Chiba’s Showa-era yankee-style fashion shop【Photos】
-
