Japanese restrooms are famous for being incredibly clean.
But when you first go and see a panel full of buttons next to the toilet, it's truly overwhelming.
"Buttocks? Bidet? Stop? Sound? What is all this...?" I've been so scared to press anything that I just got up and left.
On my first trip to Japan, I struggled to fit my suitcase into a stall and almost pressed the emergency call button thinking it was the flush button.
As advanced as Japanese restrooms are, it can be genuinely difficult if you don't know how to use them at first.
So, in this article, I've compiled information for first-time visitors, covering basic Japanese restroom types, button usage, etiquette, luggage management for solo travelers, additional tips for women, and emergency procedures.
Read this once, and you'll never be overwhelmed in front of a Japanese restroom again.
📑 Table of Contents
- 3 Types of Japanese Restrooms
- Mastering the Toilet Buttons
- The Red Button You Must Not Confuse
- Toilet Paper and Sanitary Product Disposal Etiquette
- What to Do with Your Suitcase When Traveling Alone
- Accessible toilets: follow priority signs
- Things Women Traveling Alone Should Know
- Free Restroom Locations (Convenience Stores, Stations, Department Stores)
- Common Situations You'll Encounter in Restrooms
- Japanese Restroom Checklist Before Departure
🚻 3 Types of Japanese Restrooms
First, you need to know the types to avoid being flustered.
| Type | Japanese | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Western-style | 洋式 (Yōshiki) | Sitting toilet, prevalent |
| Japanese-style | 和式 (Washiki) | Squat toilet |
| Multi-purpose | 多目的 (Tamokuteki) | Barrier-free, large stall |
🚽 Western-style (洋式)
- Most common type
- Found in most hotels, stations, department stores, restaurants
- Usually includes a Washlet (bidet) function
- Toilet lid may open automatically
🚷 Japanese-style (和式) - Squatting Type
- Occasionally found in older buildings, stations, shrines, etc.
- Similar to old Korean restrooms
- Japanese people are using them less and less
- Pictograms at the entrance allow you to check before entering
How to use:
1. Squat with your legs spread over the toilet
2. The round part at the front (hemispherical part) is the front
3. After use, dispose of toilet paper in the toilet and flush
4. To flush: press the lever at the front or turn the tank handle
♿ Multi-purpose Restroom (多目的)
- Follow the facility's accessibility and priority-use signs. These toilets may be essential for disabled people or others who need their equipment and space. Do not assume that an empty accessible toilet is a luggage or changing room; use ordinary facilities when they meet your needs, or ask staff for a suitable option.
- You can enter with a suitcase
- Diaper changing station available
- Multiple emergency call buttons
💡 Distinguishing with Pictograms
Pictures are displayed at the restroom entrance:
- Red/blue person = Western-style restroom
- Squatting figure = Japanese-style
- Wheelchair = Multi-purpose
You can distinguish them just by the pictures, even if you don't know the language.
When I first went to Japan, I was really flustered when I encountered a Japanese-style restroom at a small shrine. It felt like an old rural Korean restroom. Since then, I always use the restroom beforehand when visiting shrines.
🎛️ Mastering the Toilet Buttons
This is the real core. Many people have hesitated when seeing the Japanese Washlet buttons.
🔵 Basic Buttons (5 You Must Know)
| Button | Japanese | Function |
|---|---|---|
| おしり | Oshiri | Posterior wash (unisex) |
| ビデ | Bidet | Feminine bidet |
| 止 | Tome (Stop) | Stop all functions |
| 大/小 | Dai/Shō | Large flush/Small flush |
| 流す | Nagasu | Flush |
🚿 おしり (Posterior Wash)
- Washes the anal area
- Unisex
- Pressing it extends a nozzle and sprays water
- Start with low water pressure (level 1) recommended
👩 ビデ (Feminine Bidet)
- Washes the female intimate area
- Spray position is further forward than おしり
- For female use only
🛑 止 (Stop) ⭐ Most Important
- Stops all functions
- Stops water spray
- Usually located on the top left
- It's genuinely problematic if you can't find this
🌡️ Additional Functions
Buttons usually found next to the toilet:
- 水勢 (Suisei) - Water pressure adjustment
- 位置 (Ichi) - Nozzle position adjustment
- 温度 (Ondo) - Water temperature adjustment
- 乾燥 (Kansō) - Air drying
- 暖房 (Danbō) - Heated toilet seat
📢 Sound Function (音姫 Otohime)
- Button that plays artificial flushing sounds
- Used to mask the sound of using the toilet
- A function created for Japanese women
- Three types: button, sensor, or automatic
Mark: Music note symbol, "おとひめ", or "音姫" display
💡 What to do if it's your first time
Don't be scared:
- It's OK to just use the flush button (大/小)
- Not using the bidet function is not a breach of etiquette
- Pressing too many buttons at once can be confusing
- Try one function at a time
On my first trip to Japan, I pressed the おしり button and the water pressure was so strong that I panicked. I couldn't find the stop button and was truly in a panic. From then on, I memorize the buttons by looking at pictures on the plane.
🆘 The Red Button You Must Not Confuse
This is truly, truly important.
🚨 Emergency Call Button
- Red or orange color
- Marked with "呼出" (Call, Yobidashi) or "緊急" (Emergency)
- Press if you feel unwell inside the restroom
⚠️ Absolutely do not confuse it with the flush button
- The red button is for emergency calls
- Pressing it will trigger an alarm and staff will come
- It's genuinely embarrassing if you press it by mistake
🔍 The actual flush button is
- Marked with 大/小 (Dai/Shō)
- Marked with 流す (Nagasu) or "FLUSH" in English
- A lever next to the tank
- A wall-mounted sensor type (activates when you wave your hand)
💡 How to avoid confusion
- Red = Emergency (Absolutely NOT for flushing)
- 大/小 = Full/Light Flush
- If unsure, many toilets have automatic flushing sensors when you stand up
⚠️ If you press it by mistake
- Or say a Japanese phrase to the staff:
- "Machigaemashita" (まちがえました) = I made a mistake
- "Sumimasen" (すみません) = Excuse me / I'm sorry
- It's not a big problem, so don't panic too much
🆘 In a real emergency
- If you suddenly feel unwell
- If you feel like you're going to collapse inside the restroom
- If you need help
- Don't hesitate to press it
On my first trip to Japan, I almost pressed the red button in a hotel restroom, thinking it was the flush button. Fortunately, I saw the small characters "緊急" next to it and stopped. That was a close call.
🧻 Toilet Paper and Sanitary Product Disposal Etiquette
🧻 Toilet Paper Disposal
- Used toilet paper goes directly into the toilet (OK to flush!)
- Flush used toilet paper in Japan and in Korean public toilets unless the facility explicitly instructs otherwise. Put sanitary products and wet wipes in the designated bin, not the toilet. Korea introduced its public-toilet paper-flushing policy in 2018; a blanket Korea-bin versus Japan-flush comparison is outdated.
- Japanese toilet paper is designed to dissolve easily in water
⚠️ What Not to Flush Down the Toilet
Absolutely do NOT flush the following:
- Sanitary products
- Tissues (regular tissues, not toilet paper)
- Diapers
- Chewing gum
- Plastic bags
- Wet wipes
These items can clog the toilet and cause problems for the septic system.
🗑️ Sanitary Product Disposal
- There's a small trash can inside the restroom stall
- Dispose of them there
- It's good etiquette to wrap them in a bag before disposing
- Do not dispose of them in external trash cans
🚮 When there's no trash can inside the restroom stall
- Some public restrooms do not have small trash cans
- In such cases, wrap them in a bag and put them in your purse/bag
- Dispose of them at your hotel or another restroom
🧴 Characteristics of Japanese Toilet Paper
- Very thin (designed to dissolve easily in water)
- It's OK to use a lot
At first, I thought I couldn't flush toilet paper in Japan and tried to keep it in my bag. It turns out it's the exact opposite. In Japan, flushing it is the correct way.
🧳 What to Do with Your Suitcase When Traveling Alone
A really big concern for solo travelers.
🚫 Regular Restroom Stalls = Difficulty with Suitcases
- Standard Western-style stalls are very narrow
- Stall dimensions vary; do not assume your suitcase will fit. Use luggage storage when necessary.
- Even if they do, you can't turn around
- Makes using the toilet difficult
💡 5 Solutions
Follow the facility's accessibility and priority-use signs. These toilets may be essential for disabled people or others who need their equipment and space. Do not assume that an empty accessible toilet is a luggage or changing room; use ordinary facilities when they meet your needs, or ask staff for a suitable option.
2️⃣ Store in Coin Lockers
- Coin lockers inside stations (300-700 yen)
- Temporary luggage storage
- Useful when moving around the city
3️⃣ Store Luggage at Your Hotel
- Free luggage storage before check-in and after check-out
- Get a storage tag from the hotel front desk
- Safest option
4️⃣ ecbo cloak Service
- Luggage storage service across Japan
- Available at cafes, karaoke rooms, hair salons, etc.
- Book in advance via app
- 500-1000 yen per day
5️⃣ Japan 7-Eleven Luggage Storage (Starting 2026)
- Newly introduced service
- Store suitcases at convenience stores
- Inquire at the store for details
🎒 Use a Small Bag
- Carry a small bag in addition to your suitcase
- Only take the small bag to the restroom
- Store your suitcase elsewhere
Accessible toilets: follow priority signs
A true friend for solo travelers.
♿ What is a Multi-purpose Restroom?
- Marked with "多目的トイレ" or "誰でもトイレ"
- Follow the facility's accessibility and priority-use signs. These toilets may be essential for disabled people or others who need their equipment and space. Do not assume that an empty accessible toilet is a luggage or changing room; use ordinary facilities when they meet your needs, or ask staff for a suitable option.
- Wider than regular restrooms
- Spacious enough to enter with a suitcase
💡 Foreign Tourists Can Also Use Them
- While wheelchair users have priority
- It is especially useful when you are carrying a suitcase.
- However, yield to wheelchair users when they are present.
🎯 What's Inside a Multi-purpose Restroom
- Toilet (Western-style, includes Washlet)
- Handrails
- Large space (OK for suitcases)
- Diaper changing station
- Emergency call button
- Some also have children's toilets
⚠️ Etiquette When Using
- If a regular restroom is empty, use that first
- Yield to wheelchair users if you see them
- Don't stay too long (others need to use it too)
- Be mindful of cleanliness and flushing
👩 Things Women Traveling Alone Should Know
Information especially useful for solo female travelers.
🔐 1. Bag and Personal Item Management
- Use the hooks inside the stall
- Some places have small shelves next to the toilet
- Do not place items on the floor (for hygiene + theft risk)
- Store suitcases separately
🚨 2. Check Emergency Call Button Location
- In Japan, there are often two locations: next to the toilet + on the wall
- Make it a habit to check the location as soon as you enter
- Don't hesitate to press it if you suddenly feel unwell
💧 3. Utilize the Sound Function (音姫)
- There's a small speaker on the wall inside the stall
- Touch it or press a button to play flushing sounds
- Use it comfortably to mask sounds
- Its use is common in Japan
🧻 4. Carry Portable Toilet Paper
- Occasionally, some might run out
- Keep a small pack of tissues in your bag
- A handkerchief is a Japanese essential
💧 5. Limited Hand Drying Options
Japanese restrooms often have:
- Many hand dryers
- Few paper towels
- Handkerchiefs are common
It's a good idea to carry a small handkerchief in your bag.
🧼 6. Hand Washing Location
- Small sinks next to Western-style toilets (on top of the tank) - for washing hands while flushing
- Separate sinks (located outside the stall)
- Soap and drying facilities vary. Check what is provided and carry a small towel for drying your hands.
💄 7. Makeup Area
- Department store restrooms in Tokyo often have makeup mirrors + chairs
- Shinjuku and Shibuya department stores are recommended
- Tokyo Station also has well-equipped makeup areas
🌡️ 8. Heated Toilet Seats
- Japanese toilet seats are warm (heating function)
- It's surprising at first
- A real comfort in winter
Accessible toilets: follow priority signs
- When carrying a suitcase
- When carrying a large bag
- Using it is not a breach of etiquette
🆘 10. Call Immediately in Case of Trouble
- Feeling unwell abroad is more dangerous
- Don't hesitate to press the emergency call button
- It's OK if staff don't understand Japanese (show them the situation)
When I travel alone as a woman, I've made it a habit to check the emergency call button location as soon as I enter a restroom. Just knowing its location brings peace of mind.
🗺️ Free Restroom Locations (Convenience Stores, Stations, Department Stores)
Where to find restrooms in Japan.
🏪 Convenience Stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart)
- Most have free restrooms
- Follow the "お手洗い" sign
- Staff are usually friendly if you ask
- Well-maintained and clean
🚉 Train Stations
- Most JR stations have free restrooms
- Major stations (Tokyo, Shinjuku, Ueno, etc.) have many
- Available both inside and outside ticket gates
- Multi-purpose restrooms are usually available
🛍️ Department Stores and Shopping Malls
- Japan's highest standard restrooms
- Many facilities with makeup areas + mirrors + chairs
- Very well-cleaned
- Tokyo: Isetan, Mitsukoshi, Daimaru
- Osaka: Hanshin, Daimaru, Takashimaya
🚇 Subway Stations
- Most have free restrooms
- However, some small stations might not
- Major transfer stations often have multi-purpose restrooms
🌳 Parks
- Large parks have free restrooms
- Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi Park, etc.
- Cleanliness is good
☕ Cafes (Starbucks, Doutor, etc.)
- Have restrooms for customers
- Use after ordering a drink
- Larger stores are generally OK for anyone
🏬 Department Stores and Outlets
- The ultimate Japanese restrooms
- Tokyo Midtown, Omotesando Hills, etc.
🛒 Daiso and Don Quijote
- Some stores have restrooms
- Larger stores usually have them
- Smaller stores might not
🏛️ Tourist Attractions
- Most have free restrooms
- Also found in shrines and temples
- Museums and art galleries all have them
💡 When Looking for a Restroom
- "Toire wa doko desu ka?" (トイレはどこですか?) = Where is the restroom?
- "Otearai" (お手洗い) = Restroom (slightly more polite)
- Follow pictograms (pictures are universal)
🤔 Common Situations You'll Encounter in Restrooms
Situations that often fluster first-time visitors.
❓ 1. The water isn't flushing automatically.
- Many have automatic sensors that flush when you stand up
- Some are sensor-activated by waving your hand at the wall
- Check the lever next to the tank
- If you can't find it, call a staff member
❓ 2. I pressed the bidet and can't find the stop button.
- The "止" button on the top left
- Or "STOP" in English
- Sometimes it stops automatically when you stand up
❓ 3. The toilet lid opens automatically.
- Sensor-activated toilet
- The lid opens automatically when you enter
- Closes and flushes automatically when you stand up
- It's normal to be surprised by this advanced feature
❓ 4. The hand dryer isn't working.
- You might need to insert your hands deeper into the enclosed space for it to activate
- Or look for paper towels
- It's good restroom etiquette to carry a handkerchief
❓ 5. The toilet seat is too hot.
- Heated toilet seat function
- Look for "暖房" or a temperature display on a side button
- Press the button to turn it off if you wish
- If it's too hot, inform a facility staff member
❓ 6. The toilet paper has run out.
- Generally, this doesn't happen often
- If it does, use an adjacent stall
- Or use your portable toilet paper from your bag
- Use a handkerchief temporarily
❓ 7. I don't know how to use a Japanese-style (traditional) toilet.
- Squat with your legs spread over the toilet
- The round part at the front is the front (drain)
- It's like old Korean restrooms
- You can also go to another stall
❓ 8. There's no trash can inside the stall.
- Some public restrooms don't have them
- For sanitary products, wrap them in a bag and put them in your purse/bag
- Dispose of them at your hotel
- Toilet paper is OK to flush
❓ 9. The restroom line is too long.
- Women's restrooms in department stores and stations often have long lines
❓ 10. There's no English signage.
- Follow pictograms (pictures are universal)
- Use a translation app on your phone
- If you're unsure, show it to a staff member
On my first trip to Japan, I sat on the toilet, and the lid automatically opened, and flushing sounds started... I was genuinely startled. It turned out to be an advanced feature.
📋 Japanese Restroom Checklist Before Departure
✅ Search for pictures of Japanese toilet buttons in advance
✅ Remember: 大/小 = flush, 止 = stop, red = emergency call
✅ Flush used toilet paper down the toilet (no trash can)
✅ Pack a small portable tissue pack in your bag
✅ Prepare a handkerchief or small towel
✅ Learn how to use the sound function (音姫)
✅ If you have a suitcase, check multi-purpose restroom locations in advance
✅ Make it a habit to check the emergency call button location as soon as you enter
✅ Check hotel, convenience store, and station locations (for free restrooms in emergencies)
✅ Learn basic Japanese phrases ("Toire wa doko desu ka?")
📚 More Detailed Official Information
Official information regarding travel to Japan can be found below.
- JNTO Japan National Tourism Organization Official Korean Website
- Visit Japan Web (Japan Entry Procedures)
JNTO is the official Japanese government tourism website, providing comprehensive information about travel in Japan, including restrooms, in Korean. Visit Japan Web is an entry declaration and customs declaration pre-registration service operated by Japan's Digital Agency, which can significantly save time upon entry. It's a good idea to check it out before you depart.
🚪 Leaving the Restroom
Japanese restrooms, once you know them, are surprisingly simple to use.
- Basic: 大/小 (flush), 止 (stop)
- Bidet: おしり (unisex), ビデ (female)
- Red button: Emergency call (absolutely NOT for flushing)
- Toilet paper: OK to flush
- Follow the facility's accessibility and priority-use signs. These toilets may be essential for disabled people or others who need their equipment and space. Do not assume that an empty accessible toilet is a luggage or changing room; use ordinary facilities when they meet your needs, or ask staff for a suitable option.