According to Reuters, after watching the movie Perfect Day about a toilet cleaner in Shibuya district (Tokyo), many tourists decided to explore public toilets in the city through the Tokyo Toilet Shuttle tour.
From March onwards, the public toilet tour was officially launched, marking a significant step forward in exploring Japanese culture. The devaluation of the yen has created a tourism fever to Japan, causing a record increase in the number of tourists coming here. This also opens up a great opportunity for lovers of Japanese culture, giving them the chance to admire and explore the unique attractions of this country.
The toilet has transparent walls that change color when users enter (Photo: Reuters)
Shibuya Tourism Association cooperates with NearMe to launch a tour of 17 uniquely designed public toilets, considered a new tourism resource (Photo: Reuters)
Hiroo East Park's restroom can change the color of its light by the hour with 7.9 billion lighting patterns (Photo: Reuters)
The public toilet project was launched by the non-profit organization The Nippon Foundation in 2020 with the goal of eliminating the negative image of public toilets in Japan - images of dirt, smell and darkness.
Backed by leading innovators, including Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, the project focused on improving the accessibility and artistry of these structures. With Ando and many other outstanding designers involved, 17 public toilets in the Shibuya district have become more beautiful, attracting the attention of both tourists and locals.
This project is not just a commercial activity, but also has a higher goal of improving the experience of the community and visitors. The local government of Shibuya has recognized the potential of the project to attract tourists.
Tourists eagerly check in at this unique location (Photo: Reuters)
The 17 facilities are divided into two different tours, each offering visitors a unique experience. The East Tour includes nine separate restrooms, while the West Tour has eight stops. Among these, one restroom is equipped with transparent walls that change color as users step inside, along with another restroom operated via voice command. This highlights the creativity and diversity of visitors' travel experiences in Shibuya.
