How to Use a Japanese Electronic Toilet – Features & Function Guide

How to Use a Japanese Electronic Toilet

Japanese electronic toilets, or washlets, are known for their functionality and space-age control panel, which can be intimidating to the uninitiated. And as they become the topic for visitors and residents alike, it’s safe to say that “toilets” are as synonymous with Japanese culture as ninja, sushi, and Mount Fuji.

While referred to as “washlet” in the West, “washlet” (ウォシュレットうぉしゅれっと/ woshuretto) is the registered trademark of TOTO, a leading manufacturer of Japanese electronic toilets. The proper name is “cleansing toilet seat” (温水洗浄便座 / おんすいせんじょうべんざ / onsui senjou benza).

A basic Japanese electronic toilet consists of a remotely controlled bidet, activated by a panel on the wall or on a toilet’s armrest. Bidets are not exclusive to Japan; in fact you can find them in various regions of the world. However, manufacturers such as TOTO have taken toilets and bathroom etiquette to the next level.

* How to Use a Japanese Electronic Toilet *

Among the many features of a Japanese electronic toilet are:

Seat warming
Deodorizer
Courtesy music
Adjust water temperature
Adjust water pressure
Dryer
Sensors that open and close the lid automatically
Energy saving mode
Water conservation mode
Automatic flush
Nozzle clean

Functions vary by model and manufacturer. This guide introduces several types of control panels that you may see in restaurants, malls, businesses, train stations, homes, and hotels throughout Japan.

The control panels of Japanese electronic toilets typically use icons to depict each function. Alternatively, English text may displayed.

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Basic Functions

Japanese	Hiragana	Romanji	English
運転	うんてん	unten	Power On
流す	ながす	nagasu	Flush
大	だい	dai	Large Flush
小	しょう	shou	Light Flush
止まる	とまる	tomaru	Stop
—	おしり	oshiri	Rear
ビデ	びで	bide	Bidet
入	いり	iri	On
切	きり	kiri	Off
水勢	すいせい	suisei	Water pressure
強	きょう	kyou	Adjust water pressure (High)
弱	じゃく	jaku	Adjust water pressure (Low)

Note On / Off may also be displayed as 入/切

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Useful Functions

English	Japanese	Hiragana	Romanji
Seat Warmer	便座	べんざ	benza
Warm Water	温水	おんすい	onsui
Energy Saving Mode	節電中	せつでん	setuden chuu
Nozzle clean	—	ノズルきれいのずるきれい	nozuru kirei

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Advanced Functions

English	Japanese / Katakana	Hiragana	Romanji
Nozzle position	位置	いち	ichi
To adjust nozzle (Front)	前	ぜん	zen
To adjust nozzle (Back)	後	ご	go
Massage	マッサージ	まっさーじ	massa-ji
Pulsation	ムーブ	むーぶ	mu-bu
Deodorizer	脱臭	だっしゅ	dasshu
	パワー脱臭	ぱわーだっしゅ	pawa- dasshu
Dryer	乾燥	かんそう	kansou
Temperature	温度	おんど	ondo
Menu	メニュー	めにゅー	menyu-
OK/Menu confirmation	決定	けってい	kettei

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Japanese Public Toilets

There may be a panel/button to activate a “courtesy” sound of flushing water.

Courtesy sound

流水音

りゅうすいおん

ryuusui on

The Japanese text reads:

When you push the button, the sound of running water will play for 20 seconds. Push again to extend the length of the sound.
スイッチを押すと、流水音が20秒流れます。再度押すと延長します。

すいっちをおすとりゅうすいおんがにじゅうびょうながれます。さいどおすとえんちょうします。

Suicchi wo osu to ryuusui on ga ni jyuu byou nagaremasu. Saido osu to enchou shimasu.

If no lever is present, there may also be a button or sensor to manually flush the toilet.

The Japanese text at the top reads:

In the event of a blackout, push the button. The toilet will flush.

停電時は押しボタンを押して下さい。水が流れます。

ていでんじはおしぼたんをおしてください。みずがながれます。

Teiden ji ha oshi botan wo oshite kudasai. Mizu ga nagaremasu.

The Japanese text at the bottom reads:

Place your hand over the sensor. The toilet will flush.

手を近づけて下さい。水が流れます。

て　を　つかづけて　ください。みず　が　ながれます。

Te wo chika dzukete kudasai. Mizu ga nagaremasu.

* How to Use a Japanese Electronic Toilet *

Tips

– Some older public toilets might not have toilet paper. Always carry some tissue with you.
– The Bidet is used for women only.
– To stop the stream or spray, press the 止 button firmly.

Teach your child the “flush” kanji. Our kids have run out of the stall with a stream of water up their back because they accidentally pressed the bidet function.

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