Bathroom Etiquette in Japan
There's a specific protocol expected in Japanese bathroom use. Learn the expectations so you don't embarrass your host or yourself. You can do as you please if you are in a hotel with a private bathroom, but if you share a bathroom or are staying in a traditional Japanese inn or private residence, you need to adhere to traditional Japanese bathroom etiquette.
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Sink Area
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This room may be mixed gender in a traditional inn. Wash hands and face or brush your teeth as you would at home. Tidy the sink and counter area before leaving.
Special Slippers for Toilet Area
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Special slippers are used in the toilet area, a separate room. They are usually sitting just inside or outside the door, and you'll need to switch from your house shoes to toilet slippers. House shoes are not permitted in the toilet area and toilet slippers are not allowed in the bathroom or the rest of the house or inn. This is one of the most important things to remember about bathroom etiquette.
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Western-style Toilets
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Many accommodations offer Western-style toilets, but Asian-style floor toilets are still plentiful. Public restrooms often have a small picture of the toilet posted outside the stall, making it easy for visitors to make a selection. Even Western-style commodes can be a challenge, because the toilets are high-tech with control panels offering many choices. The best policy is don't touch those controls or else you might get a washing cycle when you don't expect it. If you are adventuresome, you can experiment and find the bidet, heated toilet seat, blow drier and so forth. There are often two choices of flushes. A small flush uses less water and force; a large flush is for larger jobs. In public, you may wish to have a tissue or a few squares of toilet paper in your pocket since some restrooms don't supply paper. A cloth handkerchief can be handy to dry your hands, as some restrooms don't provide paper towels. Some toilets have a reserve water tank on the back of the toilet so guests can wash their hands in the toilet area. This type is usually found in a private residence.
Asian-style Floor Toilets
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If you wish to use a floor toilet, straddle the unit facing the protruding hood. Squat as low as you can to avoid splashing yourself. They are a challenge, but with a little practice, you will get more comfortable.
Bathing
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Modern hotels have typical showers and tubs, but traditional housing features small stools sitting in front of a shower wand and faucets. You are expected to leave your clothes in the changing area in the baskets provided for this purpose; enter the bathing area naked. Sit to wash your body, shampoo your hair and so forth. Rinse completely before entering the bath. The bath is for soaking and relaxing, so you must be completely clean and soap-free to bathe, since other persons will use the same water. This is another important aspect of bathroom etiquette. Traditional inns may offer a private shower stall as well.
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References
- Photo Credit japanese garden image by lidian neeleman from Fotolia.com
