How to Use a Japanese Toilet

You sit down in a restroom in Japan and spot a remote with a row of unfamiliar symbols. Which button starts the bidet? Where’s the flush? Here’s how to use a Japanese toilet, with an interactive remote you can try before your trip.

Japanese Toilet Buttons and What They Do

What a Typical Japanese Toilet Remote Looks Like
Tap a button to learn what it does. Stay seated while using the bidet.

流す

Empties the bowl. Look for 流す (flush) or the spiral symbol. Some toilets use a separate lever or wall sensor.

TOTO’s button guide ↗

How to Use the Touchless Flush

In Public Restrooms

Find the hand symbol on the wall panel. Hold your palm near it for a second or two. If the toilet doesn’t flush, move your hand closer and try again.

INAX touchless flush sensor with a spiral, the label 流す / FLUSH and a hand symbol

How to Read a Japanese Toilet Remote

Look for a panel on the wall beside the toilet or next to the seat. On this TOTO remote, 止 means Stop, おしり means Rear Wash and ビデ means Front Wash.

Silver TOTO wall remote with Japanese and English Stop, Rear, Front and Pressure labels beside a separate flush panel

TOTO toilet with its lid open in a hotel bathroom in Japan

Other Features You Might See

Automatic Lids

On some models, the lid lifts as you approach.

Heated Seats

A built-in heater keeps the seat warm. Some remotes let you adjust the temperature.

Warm-Air Drying

Look for Dry or 乾燥 to start the warm-air dryer after a wash.

Privacy Sound

A speaker or musical-note button plays a sound to cover bathroom noise. TOTO calls its version Otohime.

Cleaning Features

Wand Clean rinses the spray nozzle. Some models also have a separate setting for cleaning the bowl.

Curved white exterior and entrance of the TOTO Museum in Kitakyushu

Visit the TOTO Museum

The free TOTO Museum in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka traces the history of Japan’s bathroom fixtures, including the Washlet. A TOTO showroom shares the site.

Explore the Museum ↗

Photo CreditsTokyo restroom by Antti T. Nissinen (CC BY 2.0)TOTO remote by Phil Whitehouse (CC BY 2.0)TOTO Museum by Sharon Hahn Darlin (CC BY 4.0)