This photo taken Dec. 10, 2025, shows “tourist restrooms” that cost approximately 200 million yen to install in Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto’s Kamigyo Ward. (Mainichi/Yuki Ohigashi)
KYOTO — A new “tourist toilet” facility costing approximately 200 million yen (about $1.28 million) has been opened at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine here.
Wood from Kitayama cedar and hinoki cypress were sourced from within the city and used in the construction of the universal design toilets. The facility is reportedly the most expensive among all newly installed tourist restrooms in the city.
The approximately 150-square-meter facility stands next to the shrine’s plum garden with its pictogram signage handcrafted by artisans. Included are multifunction restrooms with ample space for wheelchair users for a total of 24 toilets. The facility is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
These are the 57th tourist restrooms to be installed in Kyoto, with the city using revenue from its lodging tax to cover part of the renovation and maintenance costs. The shrine will close the nearby Imadegawa Onmae Nishi public toilets, measuring about 8 square meters, due to their becoming decrepit.
Kyoto Mayor Koji Matsui and chief priest Shigetoku Tachibana were among officials who cut the ribbon at the facility’s opening ceremony on Dec. 10, with Matsui commenting, “We’ve received the best possible restrooms made with Kitayama wood, making them quintessentially Kyoto.”
(Japanese original by Yuki Ohigashi, Kyoto Bureau)
AloJapan.com