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Japanese Toilets: The Future Called 30 Years Ago

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Re: Japanese Toilets: The Future Called 30 Years Ago

#11
post #3

After using the toilet, do you wash your hands, or just wipe them? You've just demonstrated why washing toilets are superior. I cannot understand our misplaced, hollow pride in not adopting something which simply works better. I've even heard some especially crazy people try to say the japanese toilets are "perverted" - the hold tradition has on some people is just insane. Japanese toilets are simply better. For some…

I really think this is something people have to try for themselves. Also, people should travel more. Japan is such an amazing place.

Using an American toilet in 2014 is like programming your next web app in classic ASP. Time to upgrade.

Re: Japanese Toilets: The Future Called 30 Years Ago

#13
post #4
post #2

This is one of those things that long-time expats that live in Japan often take back with them when they leave. Another is the practice of removing your (utterly filthy, inevitably) outdoor shoes when you enter the house. I read Shogun as a kid (great book, for a little kid) and going back home to the USA and using the toilet there always reminds me of the scenes where the European sailors that shipwrecked in Japan s…

Never met any Americans/westerners/etc who wear shoes in the house. They all walk barefoot.

Yes, the overwhelming majority of Americans in the USA do wear shoes in the house. I myself did it too, until age 19 (when I moved to Japan).

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/story?id=5177409

http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/18ekqf/as_a_canad...

http://www.quora.com/Do-real-Americans-wear-shoes-indoors-as...

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101011193926A...

Re: Japanese Toilets: The Future Called 30 Years Ago

#16
post #5

I tried, liked and missed Japanese toilets. I certainly wasn't going to be installing a $1000 Toto in my house, but I waited too long to take a chance on a cheap bidet. For <$50 you can get a bidet on Amazon which, though little more than a valve and a spout, works pretty well.

$25 and has been good enough for me. No warm water line, but you can spend $20 more for one that has that if you care.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TPGPUW/

Re: Japanese Toilets: The Future Called 30 Years Ago

#17
post #9
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't know where you live but removing shoes is uncommon practice in my experience.

Especially in rural areas, where I would say 9 out of 10 people leave their shoes on inside the house.

Really? Wouldn't it make even more sense to remove shoes if you live in a rural area where you are more likely to be stomping through mud.

Re: Japanese Toilets: The Future Called 30 Years Ago

#18
post #3

After using the toilet, do you wash your hands, or just wipe them? You've just demonstrated why washing toilets are superior. I cannot understand our misplaced, hollow pride in not adopting something which simply works better. I've even heard some especially crazy people try to say the japanese toilets are "perverted" - the hold tradition has on some people is just insane. Japanese toilets are simply better. For some…

I gave in and ordered a bidet a year ago. Not wanting to commit to some of the expensive options, I opted for the $25 Astor Bidet:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TPGPUW/

Installation involved adding a T-adapter to my sink's cold water line. The whole setup takes about 5-10 minutes if you know what you're doing, or about 30 if you don't. Even if you know nothing about plumbing, you can install this thing with some patience (and probably in well under an hour).

I've been very happy overall. There are lots of similar bidets for varying prices, but the core functionality can be had for $25. I haven't felt the desire to spend any more, this thing just works.

We go through a lot less toilet paper, though we still use some for the drying. This may be too much information, but I do feel subjectively much cleaner. When we travel somewhere without a bidet, it's definitely on the edge of my mind that I miss my setup at home.

I do get weird looks when we have company, but who cares. Continue smearing poop on your butts, heathens.

Re: Japanese Toilets: The Future Called 30 Years Ago

#19

If you're thinking about buying one of these, I can highly recommend the Toto S300e ( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009IJ2LM4 ) or, if you live in Asia, the TCF4722CS ( http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=23047236820 ). These 'washlet' toilet seats can be retro-fitted to normal toilets. It's really easy as long as the flush-water inlet to your toilet has a standard fitting. Oh, and assuming you have a suitable power socke…

You don't need to go Toto. There are Korean companies that make bidets that (in my opinion) are just as good, but are more affordable.

Bio Bidet is one of them (BB1000). Stateside, there's Brondell (I recommend the Swash1000) but my preference is for Bio Bidet.

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