Coolest toilets in Tokyo
One of the universal travel struggles is finding a clean, reliable bathroom when you’re out exploring a new city. Is it going to be spotless or spotty? Will you need to bring your own toilet paper? Will there be a bidet, or worse, a squat toilet? Luckily, in Japan, bathroom anxiety is nonexistent. Public toilets here are often futuristic, pristine, and fully equipped with bidets, heated seats, and other features the derriere can’t even fathom. But even by Japan’s high standards, the public toilets in Shibuya are on another level.
Between 2020 and 2023, the Tokyo Toilet project transformed 17 public restrooms across Shibuya into architectural showpieces. With designs from renowned creatives like Tadao Ando, Shigeru Ban, and Marc Newson, these public loos are equal parts high design, public service, and 100% selfie-worthy. Whether your legs are already crossed or just curious, these are 8 of the coolest toilets in Tokyo where you can do your business with serious style.
1. Hi Toilet
Hemisphere-shaped contactless toilet in Hatagaya, Shibuya
From afar, this structure looks like it came straight out of a science fiction movie. But on the other side, it’s a portal into 2 clean toilets that are fully voice-activated. The Hi Toilet was designed by Kazoo Sato of the Disruption Lab Team to have users avoid touching any surfaces as much as possible. Yes, that includes using your voice to flush the toilet.
This toilet is more than just a specific way of going “Hey Siri.” It took Kazoo and his team 3 years of research, planning, and designing to come up with this concept. If you’re particularly germaphobic, a super-sanitary contactless place to poop wil be perfect for your ease of mind.
Address: 2-53-5 Hatagaya, Nanago Dori Park, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
2. Higashi Sanchome Toilet
Designed after traditional Japanese decorative wrapping methods
At first glance, this vibrant block in Shibuya looks like an entrance to a speakeasy or a high-end boutique. But approach it from an angle and you’ll see that it’s a toilet fitted into a small triangular space that few people would think a suite of toilets would fit in.
The Higashi Sanchome toilet was designed by Nao Tamura after being inspired by origata, the traditional Japanese art of decorative wrapping. Nao intended for this space to embody the spirit of hospitality towards visitors of Shibuya, and to create a safe space that envelopes all users. There are 3 bathrooms in total: one multi-purpose, one for women, and one for men.
Address: 3-27-1 Higashi, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
3. Nishisando Public Toilet
Shaped like a washbasin with multiple hand washing stations for use
Sometimes all you need is just a quick wash of your hands after scarfing down an egg sando from Lawson. If you happen to be in Nishisando in Shibuya, just look out for the Nishisando Yoyogi Public Toilet; it’s shaped like a giant wash basin, so it’ll be pretty hard to miss.
This toilet was designed by Sou Fujimoto and features 5 hand washing stations placed conveniently by the pavement for the community’s use anytime. Sou’s thoughtful design also ensures that people from all walks of life—and heights—will be able to clean their hands, as the faucets are placed at different heights, including a low one for children and a hollowed spot for wheelchair users.
As for the actual toilet, there is also a baby care room with a baby chair.
Address: 3-27-1 Yoyogi, Nishisando, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
4. Nabeshima Shoto Park Toilet
5 unique toilets built to blend into the park’s lush greenery
Image credit: Tokyo Toilet
You won’t be blamed if you spend a bit too much time trying to find the toilet at the Nabeshima Shoto Park, as it was designed by Kengo Kuma to blend in with the surrounding flora and fauna. 5 huts in the area have been clad with eared cedar board louvres and decorated with reused cherry and metasequoia wood.
Image credit: Tokyo Toilet
Each hut has been given a unique design meant for various people that might need to used the loo in the park including parents with their babies and wheelchair users.
Address: 2-10-7 Shoto, Nabeshima Shoto Park, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
5. Yoyogi-Hachiman Public Toilet
Mushroom-shaped toilets that are designed after the fungi in the surrounding shrine
In the forest around the Yoyogi-Hachiman Shrine, there are little mushrooms that sprout all around, and these 3 toilets were designed to resemble those fungi. Designer Toyo Ito intended to have these mushroom-shaped structures create a sense of harmony with the forest in the background.
Beyond the mushroom vibes, the 3 toilets have also been designed with accessibility in mind. Each toilet has been equipped with ample space alongside elderly and parental functions, so no one has to wait for a specific toilet to be available if they needed to change a diaper. Sightlines have also been designed to create a safe environment to prevent crime.
Address: 5-1-2 Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
6. Shigeru Ban Glass Toilets
Transparent toilets with coloured glass walls that turn opaque when occupied
Image credit: Tokyo Toilet/Satoshi Nagare
Have you ever walked into a seemingly unoccupied bathroom, only to be lied to? Japanese architect Shigeru Ban designed 2 sets of toilets to combat this issue with one major feature: the walls are made of glass that turn opaque when the toilet is locked and in use. So you don’t have to worry about walking in on someone mid-poop with a side bonus of being able to see how clean the bathroom is before stepping in.
Image credit: Tokyo Toilet/Satoshi Nagare
One of the toilets is in the Haru-no-Ogaway Community Park, and its glass is tinted in cool shades of blue and green to reflect the surrounding colours of the trees. The other toilet is at Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park and has its glass tinted in the vibrant colours of yellow, orange, and purple to blend in with the nearby playground.
P.S. From Mid-May to Mid-October, the glass operates as normal. But from Mid-October to Mid-May, the glass will always be opaque due to the temperature and climate affecting the glass.
Address: 1-54-1 Tomigaya, Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan & 5-68-1 Yoyogi, Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
7. Hiroo Higashi Park Public Toilet
Has a light installation that lights up in 7.9 billion ways
Image credit: Tokyo Toilet
If you’re ever at the Hiroo Higashi Park after a pleasant evening out, the public toilet here will be pretty easy to find thanks to the light installation that has 7.9 billion different ways of lighting up—picked by designer Tomohito Ushiro for the number of people living on Earth. The lights were designed to mimic the shimmer of sunlight through the trees in the day, and the dance of fireflies at night.
Image credit: Tokyo Toilet
And even though the building sort of represents the entire population of humans on Earth, the toilet itself only has 2 toilets to use; albeit they are large unisex toilets that also have baby changing stations and chairs.
Address: 4-2-27 Hiroo, Hiroo Higashi Park, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
8. Andon Toilet
Toilet that glows like a Japanese lantern at night
Image credit: Tokyo Toilet
The public toilet in Nishihara Itchome Park was little used, and designer Takenosuke Sakakura wanted to give the area a much-needed revitalisation. In an homage to Japanese lanterns, he designed a box that turns into a glowing lantern, also known as an andon, at night.
Image credit: Tokyo Toilet
Inside the 3 unisex toilets, details like trees and foliage are imprinted by way of silk screen on the frosted glass, with the green accents and doors helping the structure blend into the surroundings more.
Address: 1-29-1 Nishihara, Nishihara Itchome Park, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Coolest toilets in Tokyo to drop by as you explore the city
In Japan, the toilet isn’t just a pit stop to take a leak between shopping sprees. It’s an experience that people rave about even after they’ve left. And in Shibuya, thanks to the Tokyo Toilet project, it has also become a statement. These stunning restrooms prove that even the most mundane moments can be elevated with a little creativity, design, and respect for comfort.
These restrooms are also meticulously taken care of through a partnership between The Nippon Foundation, the Shibuya City government, and the Shibuya City Tourism Association. They’re cleaned anywhere between 2 to 3 times a day and are inspected by professional toilet consultants because in Shibuya, the throne is always ready for its next visitor.
Read other articles to prepare for your trip to Japan:
Cover image adapted from: Tokyo Toilet/Satoshi Nagare
Photography by Iam Sim.
AloJapan.com