Hi, I (22F) have a rather embarrassing question. I struggle with debilitating anxiety in the restrooms but I will be studying abroad in Tokyo in less than a week. I physically cannot go in most cases no matter how bad I have to go if there are other people in a public restroom with me. Recently I’ve gotten a little better and been able to go when other people were present several times for the first time in over a year. I’m just curious for those of you who have lived in Japan or been there what is the public restroom scene like? Are they typically busy? Are there family/private stall restrooms near public restrooms I could use? I really want to enjoy my stay to the fullest but I’m just hoping someone can offer a little something to put my mind at ease.
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/wqenbt/toilets_in_japan/
4 comments
Well… I can’t say I totally understand your issue but I can say that the public bathroom situation in Japan is one of the best I’ve experienced. Clean, well-maintained, stocked with toilet paper and alcohol seat cleaner, usually minimal gaps around the doors (looking at you, America)
Public restrooms also often have a “polite sound” function, which plays a recorded flushing sound either automatically or when you push a button. Everyone uses it so it doesn’t draw attention to you if you use it. It’s awesome. It gives a lot of privacy and peace of mind 🙂
Head to shopping malls or department stores, they’ll be the best. Often they have a disabled bathroom you can use. Next, convenience stores have alright bathrooms (usually individual rooms), not as nice but still useable. Then, public restrooms on the street or in parks are very hit and miss, some are new and clean but sometimes they’re full of bugs haha
Do you have any other concerns? I’ll try to answer as best as I can!
Yes they’re typically busy.
I’m fairly pee-shy and have no issues in Japan (I’m a man). It’s easy to find stalls with almost full length doors and no gaps between doors and walls. The partitions between stalls are often full-on walls (floor to ceiling). It’s easy to feel like on a private restroom while on a stall.
If that is not enough, people won’t bat an eye if you use the private stalls, I use them often when other stalls are full.
Best country ever for a pee-shy person, don’t worry.
You may want to control how much you drink when going to dirt bars that are open after the last train, street Halloween events, and crowded fireworks or festivals. In those situations you may not have much choice on which toilet to use.
And if you happen to have an accident, everyone just ignores it.
A lot of Japanese public bathrooms have a disabled unisex restroom between the mens and woman’s side. If you use the disabled restroom it’s literally a room with its own lock and toilet and sink. That is probably your best bet for privacy. Also not saying anything about a non disabled person using a disabled restroom, that’s up to you to figure out.