I Think We're Going to Need an Instruction Manual

The potties in Japan are interesting.  Yes, I said interesting.  I know, I know, what could be all that interesting about a toilet?  Well, first of all, unlike in China where you were fortunate to find any kind of sit-down toilet instead of a squatty-potty, in Japan there are lots and lots of traditional sit-down toilets.  And these are not just your run-of-the-mill porcelain thrones, either.  These things have command centers.  

The first time we encountered one of these toilets in our hotel room, Ashley and I thought we were going to need an instruction manual - or a Ph.D. in astrophysics - in order to use the facility.  It was more than a little intimidating.  Fortunately, on closer inspection, we noticed that there are pictures and a few English words, so we finally figured it out.  Another thing that Japanese toilets have that American toilets don't?  Heated seats.  Kind of a shock at first when you're not expecting it.

Here's a public toilet.  You are completely enclosed in a little room, floor to ceiling.  The command center is there, but also a contraption on the wall to hold your baby or young child so that they're not playing around on the floor while you use the facility.  Oh, and most public Japanese toilets have one more feature that their toilets in hotels or homes do not.  Most public toilets also play music.  No, this is not a signal to start playing a game of musical toilets.  It's to ensure your privacy in case there are any - ahem - indelicate noises emanating from your toilet room.  The Japanese - they think of everything! 

 Toilet room fully enclosed from floor to ceiling and labled so you know what's inside - squatty potty or sit-down potty.

Wall-mounted command center.  Note the speaker above for music.

And here's the child seat inisde the stall.  Pure genius!