- Quick Answer
- The Three Toilet Types You May Find in Japan
- How to Use a Japanese Washlet in 30 Seconds
- Japanese Toilet Buttons: The Ones Travelers Need
- Where Is the Flush?
- What Can You Flush in Japan?
- How to Use a Japanese Squat Toilet
- Where to Find Public Restrooms in Tokyo
- Plan B When Something Goes Wrong
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Your Next Useful Guide
Quick Answer
Most travelers in Japan will see three toilet types: a Western-style toilet with a washlet, a plain Western-style toilet, and an older squat toilet. For a washlet, sit down, find Stop (止), start with low pressure, then use Rear (おしり) or Front/Bidet (ビデ). The spray controls do not always flush the toilet.
In normal Japanese toilets, flush human waste and toilet paper only. Put sanitary products, wipes, tissues and other items in the bin. If a property posts different instructions, follow the sign.
Plan B: if you cannot find a suitable restroom, look for a large railway station, department store, shopping mall or public facility. A convenience store may have a toilet, but public use is not guaranteed.
Last checked: July 11, 2026.
The Three Toilet Types You May Find in Japan
| Type | What to expect | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Western toilet with washlet | Heated seat or water-spray controls may be on the seat or wall | Find Stop first; sit fully before using the spray |
| Plain Western toilet | Normal seat with a lever, button or sensor flush | Use it like a standard flush toilet |
| Squat toilet / washiki (和式) | Floor-level ceramic fixture, still found in some older facilities | Face the raised hood and squat |
Hotels and newer commercial buildings commonly provide Western-style toilets, but the exact washlet functions vary. If a washlet is important for your accommodation, check the room photos or ask the property instead of assuming every room has one.
How to Use a Japanese Washlet in 30 Seconds
- Find Stop (止 / 停止). It cancels the water spray.
- Sit down fully. TOTO states that water is not emitted unless the seat detects a user.
- Start at the lowest pressure. Look for 水勢, a minus sign or a low bar.
- Press Rear (おしり) or Front/Bidet (ビデ).
- Press Stop, dry with toilet paper, then flush.
The layout varies by manufacturer and model, so use the pictograms as well as the Japanese words. TOTO’s official English washlet guide explains the basic rear and front functions.
Japanese Toilet Buttons: The Ones Travelers Need
| Japanese / symbol | Meaning | Traveler note |
|---|---|---|
| 止 / 停止 | Stop | Press this if the spray surprises you |
| おしり | Rear wash | Basic rear cleansing |
| ビデ | Front / bidet | Front cleansing |
| 水勢 ＋ / − | Water pressure | Begin low and adjust slowly |
| 流す 大 / 小 | Large / small flush | Large for solid waste; small for liquid |
| 音 / 音姫 | Privacy sound | Plays a sound; it does not necessarily flush |
| 非常 / call symbol | Emergency call | Calls staff; do not confuse it with flush |
Where Is the Flush?
The washlet panel and the flush control can be separate. Check these places:
- A lever on the side of the tank.
- Buttons marked 大 and 小 on the wall or panel.
- A hand sensor on the wall behind or beside the toilet.
- A button on top of the tank.
- A foot pedal near an older squat toilet.
Do not press a large red emergency or call button just because it is easy to see. If you press it by accident, stay nearby and tell staff that it was a mistake.
What Can You Flush in Japan?
The safe default is simple: flush human waste and toilet paper only. Put these items in a bin:
- Wet wipes, including products marketed as flushable
- Facial tissues and paper towels
- Sanitary pads, tampons and applicators
- Diapers
- Packaging or any other rubbish
Some special facilities or older plumbing systems may post different instructions. Follow the local sign. The same rule appears in Japanese government accommodation guidance: do not flush anything other than bodily waste and toilet paper.
How to Use a Japanese Squat Toilet
- Face the raised hood, not the door.
- Keep clothing clear of the floor.
- Place your feet on the marked or textured areas and squat.
- Use the wall control, lever or foot pedal to flush.
If you cannot use a squat toilet safely, look for a stall marked Western-style / 洋式 or an accessible restroom. Do not force yourself into an unsafe position.
Where to Find Public Restrooms in Tokyo
Your most dependable places are major railway stations, department stores, shopping malls, museums, large parks and public buildings. Station toilets can be inside the ticket gates, so check the station map before entering or exiting.
Tokyo Metro publishes a station search that identifies toilets, accessible toilets, infant facilities and ostomate equipment. The Japanese government also standardizes public-information pictograms so restroom signs can be understood without relying only on text.
Search Tokyo Metro stations by restroom and accessibility facility · See Japan’s official public-information pictograms
Convenience stores sometimes allow customers to use a toilet, but some locations restrict access because of their size, location, maintenance or opening hours. Look for a sign or ask staff; do not treat every branch as a guaranteed public restroom.
Plan B When Something Goes Wrong
The washlet spray will not start
Sit fully on the seat and check that the unit has power. Some models disable the spray unless the seat sensor is activated. Use toilet paper normally if the washlet does not work.
You cannot find the flush
Check the tank, wall, sensor and floor pedal. If the toilet appears faulty, tell the host or facility staff instead of repeatedly pressing unfamiliar buttons.
The restroom is closed or unsuitable
Use the nearest large station, department store, mall or public building. For accessibility needs, check the operator’s station-facility page before changing stations.
There is no toilet paper
Check for another dispenser or stall. Some station areas also sell pocket tissues, but facial tissue should go in the bin unless the facility explicitly says it can be flushed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Japanese hotels have Western toilets?
Western-style toilets are common in Japanese hotels, but washlet features vary by property and room. Check photos or ask the hotel if a specific feature is essential.
Can I flush toilet paper in Japan?
Yes, in normal facilities you flush toilet paper with human waste. Do not flush wipes, tissues, sanitary products or other rubbish. Follow any different instructions posted at the property.
Which button stops a Japanese washlet?
Look for 止 or 停止, usually paired with a stop pictogram. Press it to stop the water spray.
Are public toilets free in Tokyo?
Most station, department-store, mall and public-facility restrooms are free, though some station toilets are inside paid ticket gates and access depends on the building’s hours.
Does every Japanese convenience store have a public toilet?
No. Some stores provide one, while others restrict public access. Check the signage or ask staff and keep a nearby station or department store as Plan B.
Your Next Useful Guide
For another everyday etiquette question, read when to take off your shoes in Japan. If you are staying in a rental property, the Japan accommodation check-in guide covers self check-in and what to do when instructions fail.
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