3. Aquarium Toilet

Photo from Japanese Toilets and More.

The restroom at the Hipopopapa restaurant in Akashi, Hyōgo Prefecture, is literally in an aquarium. After gazing at the sea during their meal, diners can feel like they’re voyaging beneath the waves when using the toilet.

MARITOMO   Many users are so overcome by the situation, they forget to lock the door, so the restroom has two lockable doors. It was a challenge to construct, with the weight of the water cracking the glass before a sturdier design was created, and it apparently cost more than ¥20 million to build and maintain.

4. Ski Jump Toilet

Photo from Japanese Toilets and More.

Users feel the thrill of crouching at the entrance to a ski jump ramp at this toilet in the Haiji restaurant at Nagano Prefecture’s Madarao Kōgen ski resort.

MARITOMO   A sticker with a printout showing the view from the Nagano Olympics ski jump platform covers the walls. There is also a photo of skis on the floor, so users get a real sensation of looking down the slope, reaching a maximum 37.5º incline, to the runout 136 meters below. As the restaurant is in a ski resort, people sitting in their winter ski wear are certain to feel even more like a real jumper.

5. Sea View Toilets

Photo from Japanese Toilets and More.

The bridge and tunnel of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line cut directly across the bay, and the toilets in its Umihotaru service area make the most of the location.

MARITOMO   The toilets are at Japan’s only service area on the sea, allowing users to experience the freedom of the ocean vista as they answer nature’s call. The ocean-facing space in the women’s toilets features washbasins instead of urinals.

6. Nature Toilet

Photo from Japanese Toilets and More.

At 200 square meters, this is a little large to be called a “cubicle.” Garden Toilet, which can be found at Itabu Station in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, is claimed to be the world’s biggest.

MARITOMO   Its official name is Toilet in Nature. This facility was designed so users could enjoy the bountiful nature of Ichihara while relieving themselves. It’s a women’s toilet, so unfortunately men can’t experience it. You can pull the curtain around you, but there is still such a sense of open space—just like being outdoors—that you hesitate to perform your business.

7. Paper Toilet

Photo from Japanese Toilets and More.

There’s no need to worry about running out of toilet paper at Momojirō, a restaurant in Sakyō, Kyoto, where holders cover a whole wall.

MARITOMO   There are 81 holders in total in the women’s toilet, with the ends of each roll folded into neat triangles. I heard that they accidentally ordered too many, but instead of sending them back, decided that the stylish thing to do would be to make use of them all. It must be tough for the staff members who have to regularly check the stall and fold the roll tips into triangles, though.