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Tokyo Toilet Project: More Public Restrooms Designed by Top Creators Pop Up in Shibuya

  • The cleaning team at the Ebisu Park toilet, which opened in August 2020.

    The cleaning team at the Ebisu Park toilet, which opened in August 2020.

  • The see-through toilets at Yoyogi Fukamachi Minipark. Locking the door turns the glass opaque, as seen on the far right.

    The see-through toilets at Yoyogi Fukamachi Minipark. Locking the door turns the glass opaque, as seen on the far right.

  • Kuma Kengo’s signature use of wood helps the facility at the Nabeshima Shōtō Park, completed in June 2021, blend in with the greenery.

    Kuma Kengo’s signature use of wood helps the facility at the Nabeshima Shōtō Park, completed in June 2021, blend in with the greenery.

  • Yamato explains different types of cleaners and how they work.

    Yamato explains different types of cleaners and how they work.

  • Children hard at work scrubbing toilet floors.

    Children hard at work scrubbing toilet floors.

  • This huge white structure at the west exit of Ebisu Station, completed in July 2021, was designed by Satō Kashiwa. This toilet gets a lot of traffic, and keeping it sparkling clean is a big job.

    This huge white structure at the west exit of Ebisu Station, completed in July 2021, was designed by Satō Kashiwa. This toilet gets a lot of traffic, and keeping it sparkling clean is a big job.

  • Completed August 2021, the public toilets at the Nagagō Dōri Park are activated by voice command, allowing a contactless experience.

    Completed August 2021, the public toilets at the Nagagō Dōri Park are activated by voice command, allowing a contactless experience.

  • The homely structure, completed in May 2021, nestles amid the bustle of the big city.

    The homely structure, completed in May 2021, nestles amid the bustle of the big city.

  • The structure’s retro look brings to mind Washington Heights, a housing complex for US military forces during the postwar occupation that stood near Yoyogi Park.

    The structure’s retro look brings to mind Washington Heights, a housing complex for US military forces during the postwar occupation that stood near Yoyogi Park.

  • Amenities inside include a bidet toilet with heated seat, an ostomate toilet, and a wall-mounted child seat.

    Amenities inside include a bidet toilet with heated seat, an ostomate toilet, and a wall-mounted child seat.

  • Vertical boards of differing lengths and widths were seemingly installed haphazardly, but they are in fact part of a carefully calculated design.

    Vertical boards of differing lengths and widths were seemingly installed haphazardly, but they are in fact part of a carefully calculated design.

  • The path to the toilets catches breezes and gives a feeling of safety.

    The path to the toilets catches breezes and gives a feeling of safety.

  • The stalls have a woodsy feeling too.

    The stalls have a woodsy feeling too.

  • The concept behind these public toilets, completed in July 2021, is “three mushrooms in the forest.”

    The concept behind these public toilets, completed in July 2021, is “three mushrooms in the forest.”

  • When lit up at night, the round roofs appear to float.

    When lit up at night, the round roofs appear to float.

  • The spacious stalls are designed to easily accommodate wheelchairs.

    The spacious stalls are designed to easily accommodate wheelchairs.

  • A figure of Ebisu, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, and the Ebisu Station West Exit facility in the background.

    A figure of Ebisu, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, and the Ebisu Station West Exit facility in the background.

  • Aluminum louvers camouflage the toilet structure, so its purpose is not immediately apparent.

    Aluminum louvers camouflage the toilet structure, so its purpose is not immediately apparent.

  • The entrance to the toilet is around the back, giving a degree of privacy in this busy station-front location. The louvers allow light to enter the access corridor.

    The entrance to the toilet is around the back, giving a degree of privacy in this busy station-front location. The louvers allow light to enter the access corridor.

  • The streamlined pictograms designed by Satō are highly visible and are used on all Tokyo Toilet Project structures. Cleaning staff wear overalls designed by Nigo.

    The streamlined pictograms designed by Satō are highly visible and are used on all Tokyo Toilet Project structures. Cleaning staff wear overalls designed by Nigo.

  • The white sphere of the Nanagō Dōri Park Toilet.

    The white sphere of the Nanagō Dōri Park Toilet.

  • From the toilet entrance side, the structure looks like a mushroom cut in half.

    From the toilet entrance side, the structure looks like a mushroom cut in half.

  • Using a smartphone to read the QR code at the entrance activates the voice command function. Users can operate the door and the toilet controls without any physical contact.

    Using a smartphone to read the QR code at the entrance activates the voice command function. Users can operate the door and the toilet controls without any physical contact.

  • The facility, opened in July 2022, blends in with the scenery.

    The facility, opened in July 2022, blends in with the scenery.

  • The concept behind this building is simplicity and ease of use. Amenities include an ostomate toilet, a wall-mounted baby seat, and a diaper-changing station.

    The concept behind this building is simplicity and ease of use. Amenities include an ostomate toilet, a wall-mounted baby seat, and a diaper-changing station.

  • In the dark, the rear panel presents a magical spectacle, with a constantly changing lighting pattern that never repeats.

    In the dark, the rear panel presents a magical spectacle, with a constantly changing lighting pattern that never repeats.

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