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?
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 5 million yen【Vid】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Cup Noodle releases new Tomica “car” collection
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Cup Noodle releases new Tomica “car” collection
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Members of pop group Snow Man embarrassed for misinterpreting the word “snowman”
Traveling with Totoro (and Kiki too)! Official Studio Ghibli suitcases go on sale
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
Japanese people give their thoughts on Gaijin Hunters/English Vampires
37 amazing photographs of the people of old Japan living their daily lives 【Photos】
Kyoto company developing autofocus glasses for sufferers of presbyopia and other conditions
Haruki Murakami, Uniqlo team up for T-shirt line saluting Japan’s most celebrated modern author