civilisation shock absorber burst in every foreign country , but few experiences can be as off - putt to an external holidaymaker as walking into a bathroom and encountering a stool you do n’t entirely know how to use . Perhaps that ’s why , in overture of the influx of tourists manoeuver to Japan for the 2020 Summer Olympics , the land is look to modernise its traditional squatty toilets . According toLonely Planet , the Nipponese holidaymaker ministry is essay to promote municipality to update theirpublic restroomswith the Western - elan sewer that visitant might be more accustomed to .
Though Japan is known for its elaborate , gamey - tech toiletswith built - in bidet , fanny heater , and other perk , many of its public bathrooms have more simple accommodations . Accordingto the nation ’s tourist dresser , out of the 4000 public toilets near Japan ’s major tourist hot spots , around 42 per centum are of the squatting miscellany rather than the form with a raise pipe bowl and rear end . Now , squat toilets are n’t just holes in the ground — they’re usually made of the same materials most sitting bathroom are and have purge mechanism . Except with a dumpy toilette , the flat ceramic pan is come out at ground level so you’re able to crouch over it to doyour occupation .
To make external visitors who are particular about their potty more comfortable as they tour Japan , the Japan Tourism Agency has set forth offer subsidy for local governments that want to repair their public restrooms . These Grant are also available to individual businesses and councils , according to Lonely Planet . The money can be used to either total more westerly - style toilets or update existing models . ( We can only hope some will take the opportunity to buy the sort thatplays euphony . )
It ’s a bit of a shame that the Nipponese authorities is so enthrone in getting rid of the country ’s squat toilet , because squatting isprobably betterfor your health , at least when it comes to hemorrhoids . But at least it will be a welcome change for citizenry with bad human knee .
[ h / tLonely Planet ]
