How to Use a Traditional Japanese Washiki Toilet

Travelling to Japan brings surprises that extend far beyond its exotic cuisine. One cultural shock can be found in traditional toilets, where the squat-style design requires a posture unlike the Western standard used in our everyday lives.

How does a traditional Japanese toilet work?

Known locally as a washiki, this toilet is set directly into the floor and has a distinctive oval-shaped structure. Its design features a rounded cover at one end, created specifically to guide waste and ensure maximum hygiene while using the facility.

Unlike modern models with heated seats, this older version retains the simplicity of Japan’s past. Its central mechanism relies on gravity and water flow, so users need to understand the correct operation to prevent unwanted mishaps in the toilet.

The main structural parts of this traditional toilet include the following basic elements:

• Floor opening: The precise point in the unit where waste is deposited.
• Kinkakushi: The rounded front cover, which acts as an essential protective shield.
• Flush mechanism: A lever strategically positioned close to the front wall.
• Side footrests: Textured, non-slip areas designed to keep the feet firmly in place.
• Toilet-roll holder: A holder fitted within easy reach of the user.

Why should you face the flush?

The main reason for facing the flush is linked to the engineering of the plumbing itself. When the body is directed towards the front wall, the user aligns with the water outlet, helping waste drain efficiently into the underground system.

The well-known front semi-dome, called the kinkakushi, also serves as an essential protective shield. This physical barrier prevents unwanted splashes and protects the user’s clothing, maintaining excellent orderliness while fully preserving personal cleanliness.

Below is a video from Rachel and Jun’s YouTube channel that explores the points discussed in this topic in greater depth:

What are the benefits of this unusual position?

Correct positioning offers surprising anatomical advantages for digestive health. Squatting in the proper direction improves the angle of the rectum, allowing bowel movements to happen naturally and quickly, without the harmful straining often required by conventional seats in modern society.

Advantages of tradition

Why does this Eastern design remain in use?

The engineering behind the washiki focuses entirely on user wellbeing and the sustainable preservation of shared spaces.

Avoiding direct contact with communal surfaces drastically reduces the spread of microorganisms that may be harmful to the health of the local population.

Another essential advantage is the complete lack of contact with a shared toilet bowl. Since users do not have to sit on a surface used by strangers, the risks of bacterial contamination are greatly reduced, making the process much more safe and highly recommended.

The principal benefits of this centuries-old sanitary practice can be summarised as follows:

• Improved posture: Ideal anatomical alignment for the human body.
• Enhanced hygiene: No skin contact with a public toilet bowl.
• Easier cleaning: A simplified structure requiring less maintenance.

Where can these toilets be found in Japan today?

Although high-tech toilets dominate luxury hotels and modern homes, the traditional model still survives in many public places. Tourists often encounter these classic facilities while walking through municipal parks and at older railway stations across the country.

Historic temples and Shinto shrines carefully retain this functional architecture in order to remain faithful to the country’s ancestral traditions. Rural areas far from major cities also continue to rely heavily on this practical system, making it an essential stop for travellers exploring authentic culture.

The most common places to find these classic toilets are:

• Older railway stations: Platforms outside major urban centres.
• Public parks: Municipal toilets in open green spaces.
• Historic temples: Architectural preservation within traditional monuments.

How should you use a washiki toilet correctly?

To use a washiki without making mistakes, approach the toilet and stand directly over the indicated footrests. Keep your body facing the rounded front cover, then lower yourself fully into a stable, balanced squatting position for the entire process.

Pull up the hems of long trousers to avoid accidents involving the flushing water. Once finished, operate the front lever while maintaining the correct posture, ensuring the water flow cleans everything as properly and hygienically as possible during your trip.

Read also: Why do Japanese people sit facing the flush on the toilet?