Speaking of toilets--Japanese toilets

[spinbaby]

One in particular I encountered in a ryokan in Atami was the most technologically advanced thing I've ever seen. It opened its lid in a welcoming manner when it sensed an approaching human. It warmed its seat. It made encouraging tinkling noises. It provided mood lighting. It, not you, decided when to flush. Its control panel rivaled the space shuttle's and featured at least three different rinse cycles, a dry cycle, plus a bunch of other stuff I couldn't read.

[Kat45]

1. That must have been a pretty expensive toilet.

[WLKjr]

2. You SEE, We are behind them

They are more educated now since we stopped funding our schools even more, those toilets could be here! lol.

Those sound interesting and I would love to pinch off a loaf on one, got a pic what they look like??

[spinbaby]

7. Sorry, don't have a pic

But a quick search of "Japanese toilets" in google images will turn up many examples as well as pictures of that "other" kind of toilet one finds in Japan--the floor-level squat toilet. It was either ultra modern or primitive squat toilets over there. There were hardly any just plain toilets.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. Yes but... does it have the THREE SHELLS????? (nt)

[Kellanved]

12. I don't know what's worse

You making a Demolition Man reference, or me getting it :shrug:

:thumbsup:

[DS1]

4. Hey, my oven warms the seat, creates mood light, and makes

tinkling noises as it heats up.

Toilets, who needs em?

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

5. Guys: don't push the "ATR" button.

[Southpaw Bookworm]

6. The OTHER Japanese toilet

Not so sophisticated:

[democracyindanger]

8. But in practice,

actually quite comfortable, for readers and non-readers alike. :P

[WLKjr]

10. WTH?@??@?@

how do you use that one. I could understand standing and taking a leak but it looks like you have to sqaut to pinch off a loaf. That would definately stun me for a few moments and then I would be thinking of what to do next. VERY ODD! :D

[Southpaw Bookworm]

13. That's exactly it.

You squat. At least this one is flushable, as opposed to the hole that my friend used on a train in Thailand. Said it was real hard to keep steady when you saw the ground rushing by at 65 mph.

[underseasurveyor]

14. That's what I'd be embarrassed about

Go to another country and not know how to use their facilities. How comical that could be. ha ha

[trof]

11. That's the one I'm used to.

Happily I never had to take a dump in one.
My buddy had a sudden attack of the runs once. This was the only toilet available.
I said "Here, why don't you let me hold your pants."
Good plan.

[Fleshdancer]

9. Japanese toilets are so advanced they scare me, but.....

what's really weird though is getting use to those toilets, then finding yourself in a small subway station one day and suddenly your stall consists of nothing more than a hole in the floor.

Let me just explain that a hole in the floor is sadistic for a very pregnant woman wearing pantyhose! EVIL. Unfortunately I know this from experience.

[primavera]

15. And then there are the Swiss toilets...

[underseasurveyor]

16. OH God

Stage fright. ha ha I'm jus takin' a dump watchin' the world go by.

[Culture Mind]

17. Nothing frees

you faster than a squat toilet. I spent a couple years in Japan and grew to love these (maybe love is a bit strong hehe). These are great for public places where you DO NOT want any part of your body to touch any part of the toilet at any time. No self-respecting japanese person would have one in their home though. Strictly a train station kind of thing.