Do the Japanese Use Toilet Paper?

Japan’s modern innovations are one of the most advanced in the world.

Their homes and bathrooms are sleek and stylish, with all the essential facilities a person could need.

However, toilet papers are not as common in the Asian world as they are in the West.

Hence, the question stands, do the Japanese use toilet paper? 

Using a Japanese toilet also involves following a few rules that might seem confusing and reasonable simultaneously.

They are also infamous for having a feature known as a ‘Bidet’ that is quite unusual to many outsiders.

If you want to learn more about these topics, read the rest of this article! 

Are Toilet Papers Common in Japan?

Toilet papers are widespread in Japan. As mentioned, they take hygiene very seriously.

It’s even possible to find overstocked places due to the fear of running out of tissues. There are usually 3-5 rolls of extra toilet paper in the cabinet or hung on walls in households and restaurants. Therefore, toilet paper doesn’t have to be a worry for anybody.

Apart from that, some public restrooms have automated disposable seat sheets or covers that can come in handy if uncomfortable using the seats.

You might even find cleaning sprays if no covers are available. In Japan, as you can imagine, cleanliness and other necessities relating to bathroom products are incredibly important.

The impression that Japanese people don’t use toilet paper or are ashamed to use it is inaccurate.

However, you may find a few public restrooms that don’t offer paper towels and drying sheets for wiping damp hands.

Not all places can or would offer expensive papers to everyone. Although if you request the authorities, they would be glad to help. 

Another misconception is that people stand outside public restrooms and hand people toilet paper.

Some regions, such as small towns or villages, can be valid, but those toilet papers are mostly for advertising certain products.

Therefore, it would be beneficial not to take or use them.

Do Toilets With Bidets Still Have Toilet Paper?

For those who don’t know what a bidet is- it is a sprayer that splashes water after using the toilet.

It’s a bit like a pulsing shower, except it’s built into the toilet seat. Water is the best way to clean your private areas; hence Japanese people love bidets in their bathrooms. Nevertheless, toilet paper is also kept for wiping off the water used for cleaning. 

Bidets are more efficient at cleaning private parts than toilet paper. The system is also fully automated, so there’s nothing else you have to do but press the buttons.

This particular feature can be lifesaving if you consider how many microbes can end up in your hands if you use toilet paper that several people share.

Some Japanese toilets also have dryers that can dry your washed areas.

So in those bathrooms, you may or may not find toilet paper, depending on the owners. But in most scenarios, you will find them on the sides of the toilet seat.

Japanese people are very considerate towards others; hence, they keep toilet paper rolls in their bathrooms, even if people don’t need them.

So, in a nutshell, restrooms with bidets do have toilet paper inside them.

Japanese people love to ensure a thorough clean-up every time they use the bathroom.

However, whether toilet paper is kept inside the bathrooms is subjectively up to individual preferences on hygiene. 

The Rules of Flushing Toilet Paper in Japanese Restrooms

This question is generated because some Asian countries don’t allow you to flush used toilet paper. Nevertheless, the answer to whether Japan will enable you to flush is- yes. You can flush toilet paper in any toilet in Japan.

However, you cannot flush other non-soluble disposals like dry tissue papers, sanitary napkins, floss, and plastic bags.

These have to be put into a dustbin that you may find near the toilet seat.

The bin can be labeled as “sanitary” or “Echiketto,” which means “sanitary box” and “etiquette,” respectively. So do look for them while using the toilet. 

Another thing you must consider is that Japan has a specific standard for toilet paper, and their sanitation process is built that way.

The standard is that toilet paper made in Japan must dissolve in 100 seconds after placing it into water.

So, any other foreign toilet paper might cause problems after flushing. Nevertheless, such a scenario is improbable.

Furthermore, the squat toilet is another type of toilet used in Japan for centuries.

They are known as traditional Japanese latrines or ‘washiki.’

It’s not widely used anymore, but it’s still available in rural areas. Many might find it confusing, as these bathrooms are not shared in the Western part of the world. 

However, when it comes to flushing toilet paper in the ‘washiki, it’s pretty easy.

You would find a flush segment with a handle/rope that you are supposed to pull just above the toilet. A flush will be started automatically.

This way, used toilet paper can also be flushed, along with the water from it.

Do Tourists Need To Bring Their Own Toilet Paper In Japan?

And as mentioned, Japanese toilet papers follow a specific standard of dissolving time (100 seconds), so other foreign toilet papers might not be suitable for their restrooms.

If you cannot find toilet paper, you can always ask the authorities or the people around you to help. I am confident they will be able to assist you. 

There are also vending machines in Japan that sell toilet paper.

Compared to the rest of the world, this seems insane. They’re also very cheap and available in multiple colors.

Therefore, if you think Japan doesn’t use toilet paper, think again. 

Japan has every facility you could imagine.

So, don’t be scared to visit this country just because you’re worried about not meeting your sanitary requirements.

Nor do you have to bring any yourself. Even though carrying some extra tissue paper in your pocket, no matter where you travel, is never a bad idea. 

Conclusion

Japan is one of the few technologically advanced countries yet retains its traditional culture.

And no one can top this country when it comes to sanitation and hygiene. This fact is evident from toilet paper to advanced cleaning facilities like bidets. 

I hope this article has helped you discover how the Japanese use toilet paper and other related queries. I appreciate you taking the time to read the whole article. Thanks for stopping by.