With its many years of expertise in the sanitaryware sector, Japanese company Toto has taken on a consulting role in the project. In preparation for the implementation of the new toilet concepts, a thorough research study explored the question of what makes a public toilet safe and comfortable to use. Particular attention was paid to the aspect of ensuring that a public toilet is convenient for people with disabilities to use and operate. That meant allowing enough space for wheelchair users, for instance. On the other hand, the cubicles couldn’t be too big either, otherwise they would be difficult for the visually impaired to navigate. The needs of parents with small children and the elderly were likewise included in the study. In addition, the company provided information on how regularly public toilets should be cleaned and maintained and gave tips on equipping the facilities with sterile and antibacterial features.

Seven of the 17 Tokyo Toilets designed by renowned architects have meanwhile been completed and are already causing quite a sensation in the urban landscape. They include the toilet pavilions in Yoyogi Fukamachi Park and Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park, which were designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban with a rather surprising feature: from the outside, the walls are transparent and passersby can see into the toilets. But as soon as somebody locks the door from the inside, the glass turns into an opaque wall that protects the user from unwelcome glances. The intention is to convey a sense of safety and special comfort – even if the transparency is unaccustomed to start with. Shigeru Ban explains his idea: “There are two things we worry about when entering a public toilet – especially in a park. The first is whether the facilities are clean, the other is if there’s anybody inside.”

Hygiene and cleanliness have always played an important role in Japanese culture. The bathing tradition has centred on the purity of the body for centuries, and toilets have special significance in this context. They are a symbol of omotenashi culture, which is an expression of courteous hospitality. That’s why, in future, even toilets in the public space are to be more pleasant, more inviting and more accessible. Even if Japan’s public toilets are relatively clean by comparison, recent times have seen a further increase in hygiene consciousness. So there’s still a need for action. “We hope that the project will give visitors from abroad the opportunity to experience the sense of Japanese hospitality embedded in these toilets. At the same time, we hope that we will be able to introduce the clean and comfortable toilet culture of Toto to the world,” reads a statement by Satoshi Shirakawa, Executive Vice President and Representative Director Toto Ltd.

An overview of the locations of the individual toilet pavilions you can find here.