In addition to visiting temples and admiring the cherry blossoms, visitors to Tokyo can now explore the city's more modern wonders—public toilets, reports Reuters.
Penelope Panchuk was inspired by the Oscar-nominated film Perfect Days, about a toilet cleaner in the city's Shibuya district. “In the US or France, where I’m from, you won’t go there,” Panchuk said. “Here in Tokyo they are very clean, very safe and each one is so different that each time it feels like a new discovery,” she added.
Among Japan's most admired technological exports in recent years are toilets made by TOTO.
The animated comedy South Park recently dedicated an entire episode to them, and hip-hop impresario DJ Khaled gushed on Instagram about a gift of four TOTO toilets from rapper Drake.
View this post on Instagram
Launched in 2020 through the non-profit The Nippon Foundation, the Tokyo Toilet Project has enlisted renowned celebrities, including Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, to improve the accessibility and design of 17 public toilets in the Shibuya area.
The project was not intended to be a tourist attraction, but the Shibuya government saw an opportunity to expand the area's appeal to visitors.
“The special thing for visitors is that they can visit the lesser-known parts of Shibuya and enjoy the entire area while checking out the restrooms,” said area tourism association manager Yumiko Nishi.
The $32.76 tour includes visits to nine separate restrooms, including one with transparent walls that turn opaque when visitors enter and another that is controlled by voice commands.
Takao Karino, visiting from Japan's western metropolis Osaka, marveled at the building's wide, vaulted entrance designed by UK designer Miles Pennington.
"There's nothing else like it in Japan," said Carino, 69. “It’s unusual, it’s unique, it’s really great.”
Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
20:35, April 29
Nicole Kidman wears stunning gold Balenciaga dress at Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony19:21, April 29
Who will lead LVMH luxury empire? Bernard Arnault evaluates his heirs16:34, April 29
Six Senses plans to open Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina, with focus on healthy living15:16, April 29
Gerard Depardieu placed in custody on sexual assault charges13:28, April 29
Legendary actress Shirley MacLaine turns 90, shares secret of her longevity12:34, April 29
The rich have their own quirks: New York billionaire’s extravagant wedding at foot of Egypt’s Great Pyramids11:59, April 29
Khloe Kardashian's personal life takes backseat11:06, April 29
Britney Spears: My family hurt me10:40, April 29
Kim Kardashian wears ‘mob wife aesthetic’ outfit for Lo Máximo Awards 2024 ceremony18:47, April 27
Wine story: JancisRobinson.com chief editor speaks about her wine adventure in Armenia (exclusive)21:16, April 26
Burj Al Arab and Atlantis, The Palm named world’s most Instagrammable hotels20:15, April 26
Gold pocket watch recovered from body of richest passenger on Titanic up for auction