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Learning about Japan’s Toilet Culture at the Toto Museum

  • This display at the Toto Museum recreates the toilet spaces common during Japan’s early postwar period of rapid economic growth. Flushable washiki squat-style toilets (left) were by far the preferred style in private homes. (© Nippon.com)

    This display at the Toto Museum recreates the toilet spaces common during Japan’s early postwar period of rapid economic growth. Flushable washiki squat-style toilets (left) were by far the preferred style in private homes. (© Nippon.com)

  • The Toto Museum has a porcelain-like white exterior. The dome at the left is patterned on a water droplet. (© Nippon.com)

    The Toto Museum has a porcelain-like white exterior. The dome at the left is patterned on a water droplet. (© Nippon.com)

  • Toto also helped with equipment and installation for the Tokyo Toilet project in the city of Shibuya, which sought to revolutionize the idea of public toilets. Pictured is the Transparent Toilet, designed by Ban Shigeru. (© Nippon.com)

    Toto also helped with equipment and installation for the Tokyo Toilet project in the city of Shibuya, which sought to revolutionize the idea of public toilets. Pictured is the Transparent Toilet, designed by Ban Shigeru. (© Nippon.com)

  • A re-creation of Japan’s first domestically produced sit-down toilet. (© Nippon.com)

    A re-creation of Japan’s first domestically produced sit-down toilet. (© Nippon.com)

  • To the right is the first-generation Washlet. (© Nippon.com)

    To the right is the first-generation Washlet. (© Nippon.com)

  • An outline of the company’s history. (© Nippon.com)

    An outline of the company’s history. (© Nippon.com)

  • This display explains the evolution in toilets, from washiki toilets that needed water poured in to wash away waste to modern, sit-down flush toilets. (© Nippon.com)

    This display explains the evolution in toilets, from washiki toilets that needed water poured in to wash away waste to modern, sit-down flush toilets. (© Nippon.com)

  • At left are a sit-down toilet, urinal, and sink delivered to the Dai-Ichi Seimei Building, built in 1938, which became the center for the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers after World War II. (© Nippon.com)

    At left are a sit-down toilet, urinal, and sink delivered to the Dai-Ichi Seimei Building, built in 1938, which became the center for the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers after World War II. (© Nippon.com)

  • The standardized toilet unit used in the Kasumigaseki building, which was Japan’s tallest high-rise building at its completion in 1968. (© Nippon.com)

    The standardized toilet unit used in the Kasumigaseki building, which was Japan’s tallest high-rise building at its completion in 1968. (© Nippon.com)

  • A display of Washlets, from the earliest models to the latest designs. (© Nippon.com)

    A display of Washlets, from the earliest models to the latest designs. (© Nippon.com)

  • One of Toto’s latest products. According to the Japan Sanitary Equipment Industry Association, the total number of warm-water bidet toilet seats sold in Japan surpassed 100 million in June 2022. In August of that same year, Toto reached a total of 60 million Washlets sold (including overseas. (© Nippon.com)

    One of Toto’s latest products. According to the Japan Sanitary Equipment Industry Association, the total number of warm-water bidet toilet seats sold in Japan surpassed 100 million in June 2022. In August of that same year, Toto reached a total of 60 million Washlets sold (including overseas. (© Nippon.com)

  • A portrait of Ōkura Kazuchika in Exhibition Room 2. (© Nippon.com)

    A portrait of Ōkura Kazuchika in Exhibition Room 2. (© Nippon.com)

  • The latest Toto toilets have cut water use down to 3.8 liters per flush. (© Nippon.com)

    The latest Toto toilets have cut water use down to 3.8 liters per flush. (© Nippon.com)

  • There are also unique toilets on display, such as an extra-large unit made for sumo wrestlers at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan sumo hall. (© Nippon.com)

    There are also unique toilets on display, such as an extra-large unit made for sumo wrestlers at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan sumo hall. (© Nippon.com)

  • Exhibition Room 3 features Toto products developed around the world, such as the wall-mounted toilets popular in Europe. (© Nippon.com)

    Exhibition Room 3 features Toto products developed around the world, such as the wall-mounted toilets popular in Europe. (© Nippon.com)

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