Are public toilets free, and where do I find one?
Short answer
Free, everywhere, and clean. Stations, parks, convenience stores and department stores all have one.
Where to find one
Convenience stores, stations, parks, department stores and most public buildings all have toilets, and all of them are free. You do not need to buy anything at a convenience store to use theirs, and nobody will ask.
Station toilets sit inside the ticket gates about as often as outside, so check which side you are on before you pass through. Department store toilets are the most comfortable option in any city and are open to anyone who walks in.
The control panel
The panel on the wall or the armrest operates the bidet, not the flush. The flush is usually a separate lever, a wall button, or a sensor you wave at.
The button marked 止 stops whatever is running. If you press something and are not sure what happened, that is the one you want. A button with a musical note plays a covering sound, which exists so people do not flush repeatedly for privacy.
What is provided and what is not
Paper is stocked almost everywhere. The exceptions are some older park facilities, which is the one case where carrying tissues is worth it.
Hand towels and dryers are frequently absent, even in otherwise immaculate facilities. Most people carry a small cloth handkerchief for exactly this reason, and it is the single most useful thing to put in your bag on the first morning.
Good to know
- The control panel is for the bidet; the button marked 止 stops it
- Department store toilets are the most comfortable and are open to anyone
Free and common — on the street, in malls, offices, supermarkets and fast food places. Carry your own paper.
Free and easy to find. Every subway station has one, and cafés and department stores are relaxed about it.