Tokyo’s Futuristic Toilets: A One-Day Tour of Transparent, High-Tech, and Truly Artistic Restrooms!

Tokyo’s Futuristic Toilets: A One-Day Tour of Transparent, High-Tech, and Truly Artistic Restrooms!

Tokyo — a clean, beautiful, and ever-evolving metropolis. The city’s spirit of hospitality
even extends to its public restrooms. Spaceship-like toilet. Spaceship-like toilet. Spaceship-like toilet. The warmth of natural wood… A restroom with glass walls… …that can also offer magical transparency. And some feel just like being
in a traditional Japanese teahouse. Today, I’ll take you on a journey
through Tokyo’s innovative public toilets. My destination today… Shibuya — one of Tokyo’s most iconic neighborhoods. There are 17 designer restrooms waiting to be explored. I’ll begin at Nabeshima Shoto Park. Hello everyone! I’m at the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo. Today, I will visit 17 public toilets
in Shibuya, which continues to evolve. Public restrooms often have a bad
image — dirty, smelly, dark, and scary. In 2018, the Tokyo Toilet Project
began to change that perception. Between 2020 and 2023, 17 unique
designer toilets were built across Shibuya. I’m joining a tour that visits
these remarkable public facilities. There are two routes: West (9 spots) and East (8 spots). The goal is to create toilets that are accessible and comfortable for all — regardless of age, gender, or ability. 16 world-class creators redesigned
these toilets, each with their own vision. Here’s one that looks like a cozy wooden cabin! Surrounded by greenery, it blends beautifully into the park. Designed by architect Kengo Kuma,
this is the Nabeshima Shoto Park Toilet. There are five private rooms, including ones for
families and wheelchair users — like a small toilet village. Made with Yoshino cedar from Nara,
240 slatted panels form the wooden exterior. Pathways between each stall feel like
forest trails, encouraging a relaxing walk through. Wow — the inside is warm and welcoming! These toilets are clean, fully equipped,
and yes — they include a washlet. A plaque lets you know which
creator designed each restroom. The walls use local wood from
Sagamihara, including cherry and zelkova. A true expression of Japan’s wood culture. Next is toilets that look like three
mushrooms growing out of the ground. It’s called literally “Three Mushrooms.” This is the Yoyogi-Hachiman
Public Toilet by architect Toyo Ito. Three separate stalls create a sense of movement and flow. A beautiful color gradient… …blends perfectly with the 800-year-old
Yoyogi-Hachiman Shrine forest. Let’s take a look inside. Sunlight streams in — it feels so refreshing. Have you heard of the film Perfect Days?
It was set in these very Tokyo Toilets. This is the bench where the main character,
Hirayama the cleaner, took his break. He gazed at the trees here — just like you can now. Next up is the famous “see-through toilet.” Whoa! The opaque glass has just become clear! Before use, you can see that
it’s clean — and that no one is inside. Once locked, the glass turns opaque, ensuring total privacy. Of course, it features a washlet-style electric toilet. This is the Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park Toilet,
designed by architect Shigeru Ban. Just nearby is another one of his creations
— the Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park Toilet. Let’s go inside! It has the same layout as the previous one. It uses smart glass with a special light-control film. When unlocked, electricity flows and the glass turns clear. When locked, the electricity stops
— and the glass becomes opaque. Water runs automatically as well. These “transparent toilets” are only see-through
in warm months — from mid-May to mid-October. In colder months, the glass stays opaque. Visit during warmer seasons to see the transparency in action. Nestled below an apartment complex… …is Nishihara Itchome Park Toilet, designed
by architect Takenosuke Sakakura. It has three gender-neutral stalls, including a universal one. It’s bright and has an open, airy feel. Natural light creates shifting shadows across the interior… …creating a kind of peacefulness
as if you are inside a Japanese tea room. Equipped with cutting-edge features. Sunlight pours in when you open
the door — the glow is almost dazzling. The sixth restroom is at Sasazuka Greenway. Designed by Junko Kobayashi, president of Japan Toilet Association. Located beneath train tracks,
it uses weathering steel for durability. The rusted steel naturally darkens
over time, creating a richer tone. Peeking through the small round
windows — a cute rabbit design! Soft daylight reflects off the dark
steel like the gentle glow of the moon. In the men’s restroom with also a baby chair… a moon-like round window is designed as if smiling. What’s special about this toilet? It has kid-friendly stalls. These two buildings here are
designed specifically for children. Parents can supervise their kids
while they use the toilet safely. A spaceship? Or maybe a Godzilla egg? Actually, it’s another spherical public toilet! But… where’s the entrance? Let’s walk around… There it is! Found the entrance! This is the Nanago Dori Park Toilet, created by
creative director Kazoo Sato/Disruption Lab Team The goal? To make the world’s cleanest public toilet. It’s voice-controlled — designed for zero contact. The ceiling height is 4m(13.12ft). The spherical shape
controls air flow and prevents odors from lingering. Just speak one of the Japanese or English
commands on the wall, and the system responds. Though today, the voice sensor isn’t working
— I operate it manually, which is also fine. Stepping out into the sunlight —
it feels like leaving a spaceship. Normally, you start by scanning the monitor
and using your smartphone at the entrance. Next, I see a building that looks like
a small meeting hall on a busy street. The eighth restroom is at Hatagaya, designed by Miles Pennington and Tokyo University DLX Design Lab. The retractable poles can also
transform into unique benches. This space serves not just as a public toilet, but
also as a “second place” for the local community. Pictograms make it easy to see
who each facility is designed for. Inside, it’s bright and very clean. With a height of about 5m (16.4ft), the natural light
from the window makes the space large and bright. Even the lighting is beautifully simple. The doors open and close slowly and quietly. A toilet reimagined as a central hub for
the community — that’s the concept here. Amid heavy traffic and the harsh
atmosphere beneath Tokyo’s expressway… …you’ll find our ninth stop: the Nishisando Public
Toilet, designed by architect Sou Fujimoto. The recessed sinks are designed to be
accessible for everyone, from kids to adults. The concept here is “vessel and spring.” The flowing water feels like an urban oasis. The pure white bowl shines beautifully against the blue sky. The men’s restroom is clean and has a simple beauty. All construction of “The Tokyo Toilet”
are by Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd… TOTO Ltd. helps design the fixtures and layouts. Is that a toilet shaped like an octopus? Not quite. The next toilet is actually
the white building just behind it. The roof is light and uniquely shaped. This is the Ebisu East Park Toilet,
designed by architect Fumihiko Maki. Because it’s next to an octopus-shaped
slide, locals call it the “Squid(Ika) Toilet.” Its white-based design gives it
a friendly, calming atmosphere. One possible reason… …is the soft, indirect lighting reflected from the ceiling. Next up, another toilet with a bold new look. The Ebisu Park Toilet, designed by interior designer Masamichi Katayama / Wonderwall®. Fifteen concrete panels with wood grain textures are arranged like a giant playground structure. Just then, a cleaner in designed uniform has come out. These toilets stay clean because they’re
cleaned three times a day, starting at 6 a.m. The concept: “modern Kawaya”
— Japan’s original riverside toilets. It draws inspiration from traditional Japanese toilet culture. Minimal and spacious, with a beauty in simplicity. The universal stall is equipped for a wide range of needs, including wheelchair users and ostomates. With hotel-level cleanliness, each stall
is spotless and well-maintained. In front of the station, quiet white
box-like buildings sit unnoticed. Even though many people walk by, they hardly notice it. That’s by design — this is the Ebisu Station
West Exit Public Toilet, made to not stand out. It’s the work of creative director Kashiwa Sato. All of “The Tokyo Toilet” pictograms
are also designed by him. The concept here: “clean and safe.” Step inside and the noisy station
feels miles away — total peace and quiet. Aluminum louvers protect your privacy
while letting in just enough visibility. Everything is white — chosen
to express a sense of cleanliness. The designer’s message is to gently brighten
and refresh the surrounding area. In contrast, here’s a striking bright red public toilet. This is the Higashi-Sanchome Public Toilet,
designed by product designer Nao Tamura. Its geometric design is inspired by “origata,” a traditional Japanese wrapping method and the origin of origami. The vivid red exterior is an “alert color”
used to deter crime psychologically. Safety and privacy — the designer believes these are the most important aspects of a public restroom. There is also a public restroom located
directly underneath the expressway. This is the Urasando Public Toilet designed
by industrial designer Marc Newson. It adopts a traditional Japanese architectural feature,
the copper “Minoko” roof often found in shrines, temples The blend of a stone base with concrete and copper roofing will gradually age and develop a green patina over time. The front section is a universal-access toilet. Like other facilities, it’s equipped with features for ostomates and people with disabilities. An audio guide is also available in English. Overall, it features a simple beauty
with a monochromatic green base and… …functionality, creating a pleasant space. Since I took both the East and West
course today, the sun is beginning to set. The 15th restroom quietly stands in a
tranquil high-end residential area in Hiroo. The pictogram indicates that it is a universal restroom. This is the Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet,
designed by creative director Tomohito Ushiro. The latest facilities inside are clean,
merging functionality with art. Combined with the park’s calm atmosphere,
it brings a sense of peace to the heart. The glass back wall features an electronic display, lighting patterns that correspond to the world’s population of 7.9 billion (as of 2022) are illuminated every ten seconds. Where is the next unique public toilet? Ah, there it is. This building here! The concept is “Learning From the Past.” It’s located near Harajuku, but the creator envisions a traditional
single-story house amidst modern buildings. This is the Jingumae Public Toilet. It is designed by fashion designer
and creative director NIGO®︎. Finally, I have the Jingu-Dori Park Toilet,
designed by a well-known architect Tadao Ando. The spanning roof extends up to
3 meters, creating Engawa or a porch. Light and wind enter the toilet through the
vertical slats, providing a sense of safety and security. The stall is compact and user-friendly. It’s a safe space that allows you to
forget the hustle and bustle of Shibuya. That concludes our tour of
17 designer toilets in Shibuya Ward. Which restroom do you like best?
Thank you so much for watching!

One of the symbols of Japan’s world-renowned culture of omotenashi (hospitality) is its toilets. Launched in 2018 by visionary Koji Yanai, The Tokyo Toilet project sought to completely transform the traditional image of Japanese public toilets as “dirty, smelly, scary, and dark.” Between 2020 and 2023, the project installed a total of 17 uniquely designed public restrooms throughout Shibuya Ward, created by 16 globally renowned creators.

At the end of fiscal year 2023, the maintenance and management of the toilets was officially handed over from the Nippon Foundation to Shibuya Ward. In March 2024, the Shibuya Ward Tourism Association launched the official “THE TOKYO TOILET SHUTTLE TOUR,” guiding visitors through these one-of-a-kind public toilets—now a distinctive cultural asset of Shibuya. The tour has since received wide attention both domestically and internationally.

This video was primarily filmed during my participation in the tour and originally completed at the end of last year. However, since the glass walls of the two famous “transparent toilets” at Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park and Harunogawa Community Park were not see-through during the winter season, I have returned in this June to re-film them in their full transparency. This final product, the result of much sweat and (perhaps?) a few tears, is a heartfelt tribute to the creativity and dedication of the designers and all those involved. I hope it conveys their passion for redefining the art of the public restroom.

English subtitles are available for this video. Please make sure to turn them on when watching on YouTube.
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Useful Links (関連情報)：
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🔽The Tokyo Toilet Official Site 👉　 https://tokyotoilet.jp/en/
🔽The Tokyo Toilet Shuttle Tour Reservation
👉 https://campaign.nearme.jp/thetokyotoilet/en

East Route(8 spots)　 Schedule: ①Thursday 14:15~　②Saturday 10:15~ ¥6500
West Route(9 spots) Schedule: ①Thursday 10:15~　②Saturday 14:15~ ¥6500
🔽Film『PERFECT DAYS』Official Site　👉　 https://www.perfectdays-movie.jp/en/

🔽コメント及びチャンネル登録よろしくお願いします！(Please subscribe my channel)

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Chapter (目次機能)：
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00:00 Opening
02:45 Nabeshima Shoto Park Toilet by Kengo Kuma　
05:09 Yoyogi-Hachiman Public Toilet by Toyo Ito
07:16 Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park Toilet by Shigeru Ban
08:36 Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park Toilet by Shigeru Ban
10:03 Nishihara Itchome Park Toilet by Takenosuke Sakakura
11:33 Sasazuka Greenway by Junko Kobayash
13:17 Nanago Dori Park Toilet by Kazoo Sato/Disruption Lab Team
15:47 Hatagaya Public Toilet by Miles Pennington / TUiv DLX Design Lab
17:34 Nishisando Public Toilet by Sou Fujimoto
19:24 Ebisu East Park Toilet by Fumihiko Maki
20:41 Ebisu Park Toilet by Masamichi Katayama / Wonderwall®
22:20 Ebisu Station West Exit Public Toilet by Kashiwa Sato
24:06 Higashi-Sanchome Public Toilet by Nao Tamura
25:04 Urasando Public Toilet by Marc Newson
27:10 Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet by Tomohito Ushiro
29:08 Jingumae Public Toilet by NIGO®︎
30:12 Jingu-Dori Park Toilet by Tadao Ando

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🔽 Japan’s Most Luxurious Bullet Train🚄! Running through Tokyo to Nagano!!(and Snow Monkeys!!🐵)
👉　https://youtu.be/YE3GXLiTt0w
🔽Japan’s Award-Winning Limited Express Yakumo and the World View of Lafcadio Hearn🇯🇵☀️
👉　https://youtu.be/hHEJIbKRqAs
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👉. https://youtu.be/9BnaF4qxqbI

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