Feeling flush: Japan's high-tech toilets go global

Check before you buy a toilet.

As a foreigner .. my penis often touches the base of the toilet, unless it’s one of the less shallow models

I trally don’t like the new stuff and don’t know why they’ve been designed as such !

@TokyoOldMan

I trally don’t like the new stuff and don’t know why they’ve been designed as such !

Sorry It's only being designed for Asian human posture.

Am I alone in feeling my penis touching the ceramic of such toilets ?

surely for the larger Japanese (Rugby players) this must also.be discomforting ?

A barrier for many overseas is a lack of power outlet near the toilet. Long extension cords can be very unsightly.

The lid. That's the most important feature, as any husband can tell you. I like the idea of this toilet. Adjustments for, ahem, the larger male appendages need to be accounted for. The US is liking this Japanese innovation and soon it may be common worldwide. I'd be happy with just the lid. I try to remember, but. . .

Tourists won't be taking them home in their luggage. $8,500 to $10,000 is too expensive for most people. A seat-only version is about $100. Many countries do not allow power points in toilets.

In older brick and stone houses it takes a major retrofit to install these tech toilets.

If the Japanese were serious about stopping the spead of COVID19, they would have shut off every washlet in the country the last four years.

Eh?

Japanese company Toto, which pioneered the electric bidets it claims have sparked "a global revolution from wiping to washing"

Although in the 1980s and 90s there was a separate Bidet that was right next to every toilet so the concept of washing instead of wiping isn't new. But definitely, I prefer washing to wiping.

 "After a while, most users can't live without it."

I can't. I really do hope that they become as mainstream in the west as they are in Japan.

Japanese toilet water is mains pressure. American toilet water is tank pressure. Toto makes washlet toilets in America starting from $500.

I agree living without the washlet is not good.

They're frightfully expensive in Australia. Da was thinking of putting one in at home, but decided it's probably cheaper to send Mum over to Japan every time she wants to use the toilet.

Now, if I have to use a toilet without a bidet, I get a bad itch, even after drawing an ace. Not to mention what I smell (or even find) on my fingers.

Can't live without them.

Once a country with many innovations........I remember the impact the Walkman had on me. If Toto toilets are to be Japan's new innovation...so be it. They're high quality, provide an important sanitary function, and keep our butts super clean. No reason to be shy about it. Help the rest of the world to have clean butts. Question, is who, which companies will and can also come up with innovative Japanese products and services.

Thanks Tokyooldman for that lovely mental image.

All family and friends visiting tell me they love them but are too expensive in their countries (around 10,000 USD in US and 5,000 EUR in France). They are surprised to see that so many people can afford them in Japan.

I like the quality of the plastic of the toilet seat and the basin atop, not so much the buttons stuff, which do never clean you completely and leave your body wet, except if a a full 5 minute drying, which is too much.

And yes I confirm the junk of some foreigners will have some difficulties to find the space to reach target if seated.

In fact it is especially designed for ladies.

I want one from Toto with the on demand water heater so you never run out of warm water, but darn those are expensive ! It will happen though. I have an oval commode so I won't have the, um, interference problems some mentioned O_O

Eh?

it's not rocket surgery. Those infected with COVID19 excrete some virus in their feces. When they use a washlet, the water jet aerosolizes the remaining poop. The virus is transmitted by aerosols. It makes more sense to not use washlets in epidemics of an aerosol transmitted virus. Shutting down air hand dryers is public theatre.

Be careful with over washing your behind with these things. Saw something where Japanese experts will talking about huge increase in hemorrhoids because of these. No supposed to be squirting loads of water at pressure up there for very long.

Those infected with COVID19 excrete some virus in their feces. When they use a washlet, the water jet aerosolizes the remaining poop.

Just wear a mask while you do your business and you'll be fine /s

We live in an old house and had a simple dry toilet for years that emptied into the septic tank. But then we got connected to city sewage and the landlord decided to put in a new basic toilet. The plumber offered to put on a washlet lid for an extra ¥15000. It had all the same features as the more expensive toilets. I was loving it until the spray strength function malfunctioned. After which upon pressing you would wait in horror for two seconds before you received either a light gentle spray or full force firehose. I had to stop using it until my wife told me the bidet function will also work when adjusted. Now I’m happy and fully clean again.

I never understood the incompetency of those companies. They could have made fortunes since 20 years ago when those products became mainstream in Japan. Not sure why they didn't go global much more earlier??

I never met anyone who didn't like those washlets, Japanese, nor Foreigners.

toraToday  03:04 pm JST

Be careful with over washing your behind with these things. Saw something where Japanese experts will talking about huge increase in hemorrhoids because of these. No supposed to be squirting loads of water at pressure up there for very long.

Yep. Some told me to go easy on the water pressure. Avoid the strong spray. They also told me to clench to avoid water going up the chute where it's not supposed to go.

It is one thing I most miss from my time in Japan. There is nothing good about a very cold toilet seat. There was no issue for me using this "technical" marvel except i did not read Japanese text, but even basic use was unforgettable. A worthwhile export for the world.

Be careful with over washing your behind with these things. Saw something where Japanese experts will talking about huge increase in hemorrhoids because of these. No supposed to be squirting loads of water at pressure up there for very long.

Warm water is soothing for hemis. It helps, not hurts. Trust me on this o_O.

It is one thing I most miss from my time in Japan. There is nothing good about a very cold toilet seat. There was no issue for me using this "technical" marvel except i did not read Japanese text, but even basic use was unforgettable. A worthwhile export for the world.

Toto has factories around the world, including the US, where they are busy making toilets and their Washlets. i can buy one in the US that was manufactured in the US.

Here's a tip; spray your tookis and get it nice and wet before you pinch a loaf. Makes it easier to clean up afterwards. Mahalo.

I was born and raised in Japan, and I find it very hard to live without my Toto Washlet (the most popular toilet). I lived in Australia for three months, but honestly, I couldn't stand it. The things that made me happiest when I returned to Japan were related to food and toilets. I never thought about the cost until I saw everyone's comments here, which might be a concern. However, if I were to move to the moon or Mars, I would definitely bring Japanese toilets with me. Interestingly, when Japanese airline ANA ordered Boeing's 787, they insisted on designing it to accommodate Japanese high-tech toilets. Even on long, 10-hour flights, Japanese airlines see them as necessary. This is just how we are in Japan.

It makes more sense to not use washlets in epidemics of an aerosol transmitted virus. Shutting down air hand dryers is public theatre.

Air hand dryers should be avoided for the same reason. Plenty of research showing their dangers - so much that I avoid them.