Public Toilet Ratios in Japan

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the number of women’s toilets installed at Japan’s train stations is only about 60% of the number of men’s toilets. In addition, men’s toilets outnumber women’s in other facilities such as bus terminals, airports, and movie theaters. 

This has prompted the ministry to make up guidelines for an appropriate ratio to shorten wait times for women’s restrooms. According to the survey conducted by the Ministry, over 90% of both men and women believe that waiting times for women’s public restrooms are longer than for men’s. It is believed that the longer wait times for women comes from facilities being designed on the assumption that men would use toilets more. 

The government plans to create guidelines by the end of the fiscal year on the appropriate number of toilets based on conditions and line characteristics. One Ministry official is quoted “This survey has highlighted the problem of waiting times for women’s restrooms. We want to consider how to level them out based on effective case studies and the survey results.”

I hope some changes are made, but to tell the truth, I don’t think they will be.

Yoyogi-Hachimangu Shrine, Yoyogi Park, and the See Through Toilet

After leaving Meiji Jingu Shrine, I walked to Yoyogi-Hachimangu Shrine. The shrine was founded in 1212, and dedicated to Hachiman, a deification of the Emperor Ojin (201-312) and the guardian god of warriors. Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine is known for its ability to bestow blessings for career success, promotion, and prosperity.

Then, I walked around Yoyogi Park, which has areas for everything - walking, running, bicycles, dogs, children, etc.

Across the street from Yoyogi Park, is the Tokyo see through toilet. The architect is Shigeru Ban.

The walls really do turn opaque when someone is inside and locks the door.  You can see my reflection on the door on the right after someone entered.  

Tokyo's Transparent Public Toilets

 

In 2020, these public toilets with transparent glass walls in bright colors were installed in Yoyogi district in Tokyo. The transparent walls let you see how clean they are from the outside.  Once you go inside and lock the door the walls turn opaque so the user cannot be seen! 

The walls are made of glass covered with PDLC film that is transparent when electricity is applied.  Locking the door turns off the electricity making the glass opaque again. They were designed by Shigeru Ban to give users a safe, clean, comfortable public toilet.  You can be sure it is clean and that no one is hiding inside before you enter. 

What a great idea! Remember to lock the door after you go inside.

Proper Way to Use a Western Toilet

This is an actual sign in a women’s public toilet in Hokkaido.