Japanese toilets: the comfortable and hygienic model

What is a Japanese WC?

Today, the term “Japanese WC” more broadly refers to a washing WC: equipment that includes a water cleaning system designed to improve daily hygiene and comfort.

For everyone who has traveled to Japan, one of the greatest cultural experiences is discovering a modern “smart” Japanese WC. Today, more than one-third of Japanese households are equipped with this type of toilet. These toilets, also called "washlets," have many amazing features, the most notable being the washing water jet, making toilet paper obsolete. After using one for a while, you can't help but wonder why the French toilet experience is so primitive. Why haven't technological advances eliminated the need for toilet paper in France as they have in Japan?

As mentioned earlier, the innovation of Japanese toilets actually lies in the seat. Current models integrate these technologies directly into the bowl: the Japanese WC is no longer just a simple seat but a coherent system combining ceramic, design, and technology.

Moreover, these toilet seats can be equipped with many features: heated seats, dryers, motion sensors to lift the seat when someone enters the room, adjustable pressure for the washing jet, and more. Almost every function you can imagine.

What happens in a power outage if your electric toilet seat becomes inactive? You can still use toilet paper and flush just like with traditional toilets. In fact, you are not at all required to use the various features of Japanese toilets, but you will because they are great! Nevertheless, many users of this type of toilet use some amount of paper, especially for drying.

Brief history of Japanese WC

In 1903, Japanese inventor Kazuchika Okura traveled to the West. Impressed by the sparkling white ceramic toilet bowls of Europe, he returned home determined to modernize Japanese bathrooms, which still featured squat toilets outdoors without a sewage system.

In 1914, it produced the first Western-style flush toilets in Japan, and in 1917, it founded the Toyo Toki Company, which was renamed TOTO in 1970. In the following decades, TOTO became a household name for quality toilets. But it was only at the end of the 20th century that the company really began to innovate.

In 1980, TOTO created the washlet. It sold for 149,000 yen (about 600 euros in 1980). The idea was simple: integrate the functions of the European bidet (a type of basin intended for washing the buttocks) into an electric toilet seat.

Customers could attach the washlet to their existing toilets. The company was already distributing a similar product in Japan made by an American manufacturer, but the company's project was to perfect it.

To improve the concept, engineers perfected the water temperature until it was pleasantly warm—never too hot or too cold. Then, they worked tirelessly to find the ideal angle for spraying water from the nozzle that extends under the seat.

After asking 300 TOTO employees to test different positions for optimal comfort and cleanliness, they found what is now called "the golden angle." It turns out that 43 degrees is the perfect angle.

The washlet didn't make a splash overnight, but it found a high-end clientele. Initially focusing on selling washlets to golf courses, TOTO targeted businessmen who soon became hooked. Today, you can find TOTO washlets at the five-star Shangri-La hotel atop the Shard in London, on board Boeing 777s in business class, and even in the toilets of the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Japanese WC: many features

The bidet

The most common feature of Japanese toilets is the bidet, which is an automatic water jet designed to wash the rear. A nozzle (often called a cleaning wand or cleaning nozzle) appears under the toilet seat and sprays water on your behind. Some models also have an additional cleaning wand for women. The bidet is designed to clean gently with a light water jet. You can usually control the water pressure, nozzle position, and sometimes the water temperature via controls on the main control panel. Most people who have tried it consider it a higher level of cleanliness (compared to paper alone).

The heated seat

Our favorite feature of Japanese toilets is the heated toilet seat that keeps you warm during cold winter mornings. It’s a blessing for those living in poorly heated and insulated homes who have to brave winter temperatures even indoors. Most toilets are equipped with a switch that allows users to disable this function during warmer months to save energy, and some even have a smart sensor that records the times you most often use the toilets and heats the seat accordingly during those periods.

The dryer

A refreshing feature of Japanese toilets is the dryer function that dries your washed parts with a gentle breeze. Just press a button to have your bottom completely dry. This helps you save on toilet paper expenses. What could be better?

The automatic opening seat

A recent advancement in Japanese toilet technology is the automatic lid that welcomes you at the entrance of the toilets. The automatic seat lifts when you approach the throne, and gently lowers when you are finished. We have never seen such polite manners in our lives!

Sound masker

Have you ever felt embarrassed when going to bless the place? Japanese toilets have the solution you need: Otohime, or Sound Princess. This nice feature allows you, with a simple wave of the hand, to create ambient white noise (sometimes even parts of classical music) to mask all those natural sounds while you evacuate, enhancing privacy.

Adjustable water temperature

Most models clean with warm water, the temperature of which is often adjustable. The cheaper models heat a water tank, and when the tank is empty, the jet suddenly becomes cold. High-end models heat the water continuously.

Adjustable water pressure

Most Japanese WCs allow you to adjust the water pressure of the cleaning jet. By default, the posterior wash is stronger than the front wash. They often have separate pressure controls.

Different types of Japanese WCs

You have 3 options to transform your classic WCs into Japanese WCs, which we will present below.

The Japanese WC unit

Here, all features are integrated directly into the ceramic bowl (which can be either floor-standing or wall-hung). For this, you will need to replace your classic WCs and therefore call a plumber. Consequently, expect to pay more (between 2000 and 10000 euros). By investing in a Japanese WC unit, you can enjoy as many features as you want, provided you pay the price.

The Japanese seat

If, for budget reasons or the scope of work, you don’t want to replace your entire toilets, you can replace your standard seat with a Japanese seat. This is a seat equipped with a bidet, with varying features. Prices can vary greatly depending on the model. It will be difficult to find a Japanese seat for less than 200 euros.

The Japanese bidet kit

By far the least expensive solution, the Japanese bidet kit installs between the bowl and the seat of your toilets. This is the simplest solution (you won’t need to call a plumber). With this kit, you get basic features, namely one or two water jets with adjustable temperature and pressure, and on some models, a warm air dryer. It is possible to find Japanese bidet kits for under 100 euros.

Today, the most advanced models take the form of wall-hung Japanese WCs, where all features are integrated into a unified design.

This is the concept behind Altesse, the wall-hung Japanese WC developed by Trone.

Advantages of a Japanese WC

Automation

The seat operates with a motion sensor, so it opens automatically when approached, avoiding uncomfortable bending. The flush works automatically as well, preventing any twisting or extra effort. Note that these automations also improve hygiene by avoiding contact with high-bacteria areas.

Personal hygiene

Restricted mobility can lead to personal hygiene problems. Personal spray arms provide comforting and hygienic cleaning after each use.

This also means less toilet paper is needed, which is very good for people who have issues such as hemorrhoids or fissures, which can be more common in older adults.

Comfort

One of the main advantages of Japanese toilets is comfort. With features such as air drying, a heated seat, and personal washing jets, it’s a much more pleasant experience.

Customization

You can easily adjust the toilets to your preferences, thanks to a very convenient remote control panel. It can even be used with a mobile phone app for full customization.

Low maintenance

Japanese toilets are generally made with a unique non-stick coating, which helps prevent stains.

Multifunctional

If you like the idea of a bathroom bidet, Japanese-style toilets are the perfect option. Since it combines both a WC and a bidet, there is no need to install both, which is very practical when space is limited.

Disadvantages of a Japanese WC

Price

Although there are slightly less expensive options (Japanese bidet kit and Japanese toilet seat), Japanese WCs are by far the most expensive model. (expect at least €1500/2000 excluding installation)

Electrical supply

To work properly, they need electricity, so you must ensure there is a power outlet at a reasonable distance from the toilets. If there isn’t one, you need to install one...

Price of a Japanese WC

As you can see, the Japanese WC is still a very expensive product. Long seen as a niche item, the Japanese WC is now establishing itself as a new standard of high-end comfort. You will find entry-level models with drying functions, water pressure and temperature adjustment starting from €1500 (prices can rise to several tens of thousands of euros).

However, as mentioned above, for budget reasons, you can always get a Japanese toilet seat starting from 200 euros.

Prerequisites before purchasing a Japanese WC

Before buying your future Japanese toilets, it is important to ensure you have an electrical supply located no more than about 1.5m from where they will be installed, as well as sufficient water pressure.

We also advise you to check that the washing nozzles are made from an antibacterial material.

Choose a Japanese WC that meets the NF standard, which guarantees, among other things, perfect safety of electrical devices used in the bathroom.

Finally, even if you consider yourself handy, prioritize installation by a professional or by an installer recommended by a Japanese WC brand.

The wall-hung Japanese WC according to Trone

With Altesse, Trone offers a contemporary interpretation of the Japanese WC: a sculptural ceramic, essential features, and discreet technology, designed to fade into the experience.

An object designed to last, and to sustainably transform the relationship with hygiene.