Loos with Views: Transparent Public Toilets in Tokyo

Transparent public toilets. No matter how bizarre that might sound, it is a reality in the streets of Tokyo. Though we've come across toilets with a view, but one with transparent walls seems to be taking things too far. But hold that thought. The new edge tech invoved is sure to blow your mind... and trust Japan to come up with this!

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

Shibuya’s public restrooms are currently undergoing a huge facelift in a project called Tokyo Toilet. Sixteen renown designers have been hired to redesign 17 public restrooms in locations all throughout Shibuya. â‘  Shigeru Ban â‘¡ @nownao â‘¢ Fumihiko Maki â‘£ @masamichi_katayama Read more today on the blog! #tokyotoilet

A post shared by Spoon & Tamago (@spoontamago) on Aug 11, 2020 at 12:55pm PDT

Public toilets usually don’t enjoy a good rep. They are mostly smelly, dirty, and dark. And though Japan has higher standards of hygiene, residents still harbour misgivings about the cleanliness of these spaces used by everyone. In order to ensure safety, hygiene and to avoid any kind of embarrassing mishaps, Tokyo came up with the idea of transparent toilets.

The Tokyo Toilet Project has been launched by a non-profit organisation which will be renovating 17 public toilets in one of the busiest commercial areas of Tokyo, Shibuya’s public parks. The organisation has stated that the idea behind applying this innovative design is to make public bathrooms accessible for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or disability. These toilets are designed by Pritzker prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban, along with a dozen other leading designers, and are made from coloured ‘smart glass’ that turns opaque.

Read: Studio Ghibli Is Offering A Virtual Tour Of Its Whimsical Museum

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

Sådan har du - måske - ikke set et offentligt toilet før 🚻⁠ ⁠ I to forskellige parker i Tokyo er der opstillet et gennemsigtigt toilet. ⁠ ⁠ Toiletterne indeholder både et herre-, dame- og et handicaptoilet.⁠ ⁠ Når man er inde på toilettet, kan man se ud - også selv om der er låst. Når man låser døren bliver glasset mat og det er ikke til at se ind. Det er derfor ret vigtigt at huske at låse døren, for ellers kan alle se med. ⁠ ⁠ 📸: Philip Fong/AFP⁠ ⁠ #jyllandsposten #tokyotoilet #japan

A post shared by Jyllands-Posten (@jyllandsposten) on Aug 19, 2020 at 9:03am PDT

Here's how it works: once the loo door is locked from inside, sensors on the wall turn it opaque for privacy. The walls turn transparent when the restroom is vacated. This will let anyone wanting to use it to check if it is clean and if it's in use. The soft lights also make these cubicles turn into something like colurful lanterns that light up the park.

Read: A Town Built Inside An Active Volcano

This is the latest in a long line of loo innovations in Japan. The country is known for its obsession with various aspects of loo design. They have a range of high-tech, derriere-washing, and tushie-warming toilet seats, and a $60 million museum devoted to toilets! If you have visited Japan, you would know about the apps that can help you find not just the nearest public bathroom, but also niche ones like one with a special facility.