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Tokyo Toilet Project: New Landmarks Arise in Shibuya

  • Architect Fujimoto Sou outside the Nishisandō Public Toilet. The public restroom was designed based on the concepts of “water source” and “container.”

    Architect Fujimoto Sou outside the Nishisandō Public Toilet. The public restroom was designed based on the concepts of “water source” and “container.”

  • Ban Shigeru’s see-through toilet, at Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park undergoing cleaning.

    Ban Shigeru’s see-through toilet, at Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park undergoing cleaning.

  • The “Hi Toilet” in Nanagō Dōri Park and creator Satō Kazoo. The facility won gold at the 2022 iF Design Award, one of the world’s three major design awards.

    The “Hi Toilet” in Nanagō Dōri Park and creator Satō Kazoo. The facility won gold at the 2022 iF Design Award, one of the world’s three major design awards.

  • The Ebisu Station West Exit Public Toilet, nicknamed “White” for the images of cleanliness and peace of mind it evokes, was designed by Satō Kashiwa.

    The Ebisu Station West Exit Public Toilet, nicknamed “White” for the images of cleanliness and peace of mind it evokes, was designed by Satō Kashiwa.

  • The cedar-clad exterior of the Nabeshima Shōtō Park Toilet, designed by Kuma Kengo, requires diligent maintenance. Kuma (right) is seen here with Sasakawa Junpei, executive director of the Nippon Foundation.

    The cedar-clad exterior of the Nabeshima Shōtō Park Toilet, designed by Kuma Kengo, requires diligent maintenance. Kuma (right) is seen here with Sasakawa Junpei, executive director of the Nippon Foundation.

  • The first organized bus tour started at the Jingū-dōri Park toilet, designed by Andō Tadao.

    The first organized bus tour started at the Jingū-dōri Park toilet, designed by Andō Tadao.

  • Photos of the creators’ works were displayed inside the tour bus.

    Photos of the creators’ works were displayed inside the tour bus.

  • Children scrub the floor at the Ebisu Park Toilet in October 2022.

    Children scrub the floor at the Ebisu Park Toilet in October 2022.

  • The Urasandō Public Toilet is close to the Yoyogi entrance to Meiji Jingū.

    The Urasandō Public Toilet is close to the Yoyogi entrance to Meiji Jingū.

  • The building’s design is distinguished by a stacked stone wall and a gently curved copper roof echoing a traditional Japanese roofline.

    The building’s design is distinguished by a stacked stone wall and a gently curved copper roof echoing a traditional Japanese roofline.

  • The soft green interior and cutting-edge facilities promise cleanliness and comfort.

    The soft green interior and cutting-edge facilities promise cleanliness and comfort.

  • The building may project a different feel once the roof develops a verdigris patina, harmonizing with the green tone of the interior.

    The building may project a different feel once the roof develops a verdigris patina, harmonizing with the green tone of the interior.

  • The Hatagaya Public Toilet stands near the intersection of Nakano-dōri and Suidō-dōro, an area with heavy pedestrian traffic.

    The Hatagaya Public Toilet stands near the intersection of Nakano-dōri and Suidō-dōro, an area with heavy pedestrian traffic.

  • The benches using bollards as supports can be reconfigured as needed.

    The benches using bollards as supports can be reconfigured as needed.

  • This toilet provides a full range of amenities, including facilities for ostomates, wall-mounted baby seats, and fold-down boards allowing users to remove footwear and stand on a clean surface when changing clothes inside a cubicle.

    This toilet provides a full range of amenities, including facilities for ostomates, wall-mounted baby seats, and fold-down boards allowing users to remove footwear and stand on a clean surface when changing clothes inside a cubicle.

  • The Sasazuka Greenway Public Toilet under the Keiō Line railway tracks stands out with its rust-colored cylinders.

    The Sasazuka Greenway Public Toilet under the Keiō Line railway tracks stands out with its rust-colored cylinders.

  • The glass-walled sides and back let in light, creating a bright interior and providing a sense of safety.

    The glass-walled sides and back let in light, creating a bright interior and providing a sense of safety.

  • The walls depict rabbits and crescent moons, complimenting the yellow canopy reminiscent of a full moon.

    The walls depict rabbits and crescent moons, complimenting the yellow canopy reminiscent of a full moon.

  • Two low cylinders near the entrance house a child-size toilet and urinal.

    Two low cylinders near the entrance house a child-size toilet and urinal.

  • Seen from afar, the building resembles a container. A hainoki (Japanese sapphireberry) softens the stark exterior.

    Seen from afar, the building resembles a container. A hainoki (Japanese sapphireberry) softens the stark exterior.

  • The washstand can be accessed from the sidewalk.

    The washstand can be accessed from the sidewalk.

  • At the side is a toilet with facilities for everyone, from parents with babies to people with special needs.

    At the side is a toilet with facilities for everyone, from parents with babies to people with special needs.

  • The curved passageway is an open corridor, promoting a sense of safety.

    The curved passageway is an open corridor, promoting a sense of safety.

  • The pure white structure stands out in the urban grayness. In the background are the Park Hyatt Tokyo hotel and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office towers.

    The pure white structure stands out in the urban grayness. In the background are the Park Hyatt Tokyo hotel and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office towers.

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