Tarto in Japan

Today, let me write about a very important topic: toilets. Don't laugh! It is at least as important as Mount Fuji, the millenary Ise temples or the symbolism in sumo fights since we all have basic needs, right?...

But let's get to the point. At first sight, the local model does not seem much different from what one can find abroad:

Not much different...except for the control panel located on the side! Let's have a closer view:

Don't panic! This panel "simply" gives access to several functionalities that will transform a mere toilet break into a wonderful and unforgettable experience...at least I guess that's the kind of stuff companies write to sell their products. The number of functions greatly varies with the model, I've chosen this one that has quite a few.

Let's start with the left half:

The three buttons at the right on the top row are rather self-explanatory, they activate a water jet to clean up...what needs to be cleaned up. I was a bit skeptical when I first saw that but now I'm 100% positive, it is far superior to regular toilet paper, which is then only used for the drying part of the "process".

Right below, you can adjust the jet pressure but also its position!

The top left button stops the jet. Don't hesitate to use it in emergency case if, like me when I came to Japan 5 years ago and didn't understand Japanese, you start the jet at full power by mistake...trust me, I wish that never happens to you!...

At this point, you might think it is enough...but guess what, they still managed to add more functions!!! Check out the right half of the panel:

From left to right:

- deodorant

- water temperature, as well as seat temperature(!) adjustment

- power saving mode...(I can't believe what I'm writing)

- nozzle cleaning

At my company, we have neither the deodorant nor the energy saver, but we got a warm air dryer, with adjustable temperature of course!...

If you're about my age, you might have spent a significant amount of hours in the toilets with your Gameboy and Tetris when you were younger...I wish I had those toilets at that time...

What can we expect in the future? Seriously I don't know, I don't think I'd even be surprised if they added a mp3 or dvd player, a coffee machine or a pizza ordering system for long stays...please read the related wikipedia article, it has some hilarious stories...

Anyway if you don't understand Japanese, don't freak out, they've usually left the flush handle, so you can safely dispose of all the pieces of evidence you might have left. Although sometimes you need to trigger a sensor by waving your hand, or press a button labelled in Japanese. In those cases...good luck!