[English/Japanese] Things that Surprised Foreign Students When They First Arrived in Japan - Toilets Have you ever heard the story that the first thing that surprises foreigners when they arrive at a Japanese airport is the toilet? Many people are said to be puzzled when they first encounter a toilet lid that opens automatically or a warm toilet seat. In this article, I would like to introduce some stories about toilets. Which button should I press? How to use a high-function toilet. The most common question I get from international students is how to use a high-function toilet. High-tech toilets simply have so many buttons that people do not know which one to press and end up stuck inside. It is especially problematic if they cannot find the most important button, the flush. Some toilets have an easy-to-understand English button labeled “流す FLASH,” while others show only the Chinese characters “大” and “小.” The “大” button flushes with more water, and the “小” button flushes with less. Some toilets even have a button to call staff if someone feels ill. In women’s restrooms, there is sometimes a button to mask bathroom sounds. Before locking the door, be sure you know where the flush button is, and if you are unsure, ask a Japanese person nearby. Where do you throw away toilet paper? Let’s keep good manners. The biggest trouble at Japanese language schools is how to dispose of used toilet paper. Many students do not know that it is acceptable to flush toilet paper down the toilet in Japan. In some countries, people throw it in a trash can inside or outside the toilet. Doing that in Japan is considered bad manners, so please be careful. Also, toilet use differs by religion. At our school, a conflict once arose when roommates disagreed—one used water and the other used paper. If you plan to live with students of other religions, talk with them carefully. Where do you dry your hands? Japanese people with handkerchiefs In your country, what do you use to dry your hands after washing them in the bathroom? In Japan, many shops do not provide towels or paper for drying hands. That is because Japanese people usually carry a handkerchief. From early childhood, students are expected to bring tissues and a handkerchief to school. As a result, department stores sell handkerchiefs in many designs, and even 100-yen shops stock them, so consider carrying one with you. Has your idea about toilets changed? Most toilets in Japan are free to use, so feel free to use them. Incidentally, our school has created posters in several languages with students that explain how to use the restroom. We also offer consultations about roommates before and after moving into dormitories. We hope more restrooms that are easy for people from all countries to use will appear! Things that Surprised International Students When They Came to Japan — Toilets Have you ever heard the story that the first thing foreigners notice at a Japanese airport is the toilet? Many people are bewildered by an automatically opening toilet lid or a warm toilet seat when they first encounter them. Here I introduce some stories related to toilets. Which button should I press? How to use a high-tech toilet. The question I hear most often from international students is how to use a high-tech toilet. High-tech toilets have many buttons, and students often do not know which to press, so they end up struggling inside. It is especially difficult when they cannot find the flush button. Some toilets have a clear English label like “流す FLASH,” while others show only the kanji “大” and “小.” “大” is for a larger flush and “小” for a smaller one. You may sometimes see a button to call staff if someone feels unwell. There are even buttons in women’s restrooms to mask the sound of using the toilet. Before locking the door, check where the flush button is, and ask a nearby Japanese person if you are unsure. Where do you throw away toilet paper? Observe manners. The biggest source of trouble at Japanese language schools is how to dispose of used toilet paper. Many students do not know that it is fine to flush toilet paper in Japan. In some countries, people place used paper in a trash bin inside or outside the toilet. Doing that in Japan is considered bad manners, so please be careful. Also, toilet customs vary by religion. At our school, a dispute once occurred when roommates—one preferring water, the other paper—clashed. If you will live with students of other faiths, discuss this carefully in advance. Where do you dry your hands? Japanese people who carry handkerchiefs What do people in your country use to dry their hands after washing in the bathroom? In Japan, many shops do not provide towels or paper for drying hands because people usually carry a handkerchief. From a young age, students are expected to bring tissues and a handkerchief to school. That is why department stores sell handkerchiefs in various designs and 100-yen shops carry them too—so please try carrying one. Has your toilet common sense changed? Most toilets in Japan are free, so use them with peace of mind. By the way, our school has prepared multilingual posters with students explaining toilet use and posts them. We also provide consultations about roommates before and after moving into dorms. We hope more toilets that are easy for people from any country to use will increase!