Many visitors regard Japan as the gateway to the future.
Technologically speaking, the East Asian country is so much more advanced than the majority of other nations, from huge robot butlers that serve dinner, to vending machines that dispense everything from Pokemon collectables to Buddhist amulets.
Even Japan's toilets are elevated from the bog standard. They’re armed to the teeth with a range of eyebrow-raising features that make spending a penny an experience you’ll want to repeat.
We’re talking everything from bidet water washing functions to pre-warmed seats and a selection of soothing tracks to mask any embarrassing sounds.
They’ve started to make waves in London too, with a handful of London restaurants adding Tokyo-style toilets to their appeal. Akira, M Restaurants and many of the city’s high-end Japanese restaurants are ripe hunting grounds for anyone who wants to try them out for size.
Meanwhile, Victorian Plumbing says it has seen a sales uplift of 150 per cent in smart toilets since 2021. The company’s bathroom expert Alex Woods offers further into the neo-flushing trend:
What are smart toilets?
“Smart toilets, also known as Japanese toilets, are high tech bathroom fixtures that combine comfortability and hygiene. Unlike traditional toilets, they feature built-in bidets, automatic flushing, heated seats, or even air dryers. These functions are designed to enhance user experience while reducing the need for manual cleaning and waste.
Searches for ‘smart toilet’ have surged by 24 per cent in the past year - and by 160 per cent over the past five years - indicating a growing global shift toward smarter, more sustainable bathroom solutions.
In the UK, interest has grown 15 per cent in the past year alone, with over 10,000 people searching for smart toilets in the past month.”
The smarter way to flush
“As smart home technology becomes more mainstream, the bathroom is emerging as the next focus. Smart toilets are no longer niche. They’re setting new standards for hygiene, sustainability, and user experience. With features like automatic flushing and energy efficient heating, these products are rapidly evolving, positioning itself as a key player in the future of bathroom design and innovation.”
And they could cut your toilet bill too
“Smart toilets are one of the most practical upgrades for reducing toilet paper consumption. The integrated bidet functions provide thorough cleansing with water, meaning you rely less on toilet paper. While there’s an upfront cost, the long term savings on toilet roll can be significant, not to mention the added comfort and hygiene benefits. Over time, a washlet pays for itself while also being kinder to the environment.”
An elevated bathroom experience
If your W.C. needs jazzing up and you're hankering for more from your washroom experience, you can have your very own installed. They’re great for anyone with restricted mobility and pregnant people, as well as anyone who wants to splash out on a little bathroom pampering.
Unless you’re in the trade yourself, it’s wise to get a professional to get your shiny new luxury loo in place. But which model? That’s where we come in.
We’ve rounded up the best options below and spotlighted their special features to help you make an informed decision about your new bathroom addition.
Best Japanese bidet toilets at a glance
How we selected
We drew up our list after trying out similar models in Tokyo and Japanese restaurants in London, picking the ones with must-have features - think warmed seats and integrated bidets. Loos were also chosen for special extras such as antibacterial finishes, a remote and even massage functions for those who like the idea.
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Modern Smart One-Piece 1.28 GPF Floor Mounted Elongated Toilet and Bidet with Seat
This smart toilet is armed to the teeth with features such as an integrated jet water bidet, which eliminates the need to ever buy toilet paper again, giving it an ecological and sanitarian edge. The tankless ceramic design means it’s great for smaller bathrooms and it comes with a manual flush too as a backup.
There’s even LED lighting to help you find the toilet in the wee hours when you don’t want to wake yourself up by switching on the bathroom’s main light.
For the ultimate in luxury, a remote control is included to activate things like the air purifying system.
A rose gold version is available for £899.99.
Buy now £688.49, Amazon
Milano Luxus - Back to Wall Japanese Bidet Toilet
This combined bidet and toilet will bring your bathroom bang into the 21st century thanks to its roll call of functions which include, curiously, a massage option.
Operating manually or with the help of a remote control, you can save settings according to different users, so each member of the household can enjoy a loo experience tailored to them.
The sleek ceramic unit also boasts a soft close seat to cut down on noise - a welcome feature if you’re using it in the middle of the night. Comes with a 20-year guarantee.
Buy now £1799.99, Amazon
Grohe Sensia Arena smart toilet
Designed to hang from the wall (making cleaning a whole lot easier) Grohe’s Sensia Arena Smart toilet is the transformation your home needs.
The modern-looking bidet toilet is ideal for anyone with restricted mobility in particular, as it offers not only oscillating and massage spray choices, but a warm air dryer too - no need to reach for toilet paper or wipes. Everything can be controlled from a smartphone app, one better than a remote as you won’t have to fiddle around with batteries. The seat is motion-operated, opening and closing with nothing but a wave of the hand.
The white china comes coated with Grohe Hygiene antibacterial glazing (which is SIAA Kokin Japanese standard compliant) and a non-stick finish which means fewer stains over the long term.
Buy now £1076.99, Amazon
Purificare Wall Hung Smart Bidet Toilet Round
This toilet bidet combo is the ultimate in hygiene: no rims for germs to lurk under and kinder to the environment as it eliminates the need for toilet paper, lowering your carbon footprint. It’s designed to hang from the wall, leaving the floor clear for easier cleaning. The five levels of spray intensity can be temperature adjusted to between 31-39°C, and the hose self-cleans before each use too.
Buy now £599.97, Better Appliances
ARTETHYS Electronic Smart Bidet Toilet Seat
Available with panel or remote control, this seat allows you to turn your current toilet into a smart one, saving you the expense of buying a whole new unit.
To install, you’ll need to remove your current seat and replace it with this intelligent one. It comes with rear and female cleaning plus self-cleaning ability. The seat temperature is adjustable and wind control is available at three speeds.
Will you need a tradesperson to install it? One customer said: “The heat settings and functions for drying etc are amazing. Fortunately my father has experience with installing plugs and sockets (electrical) and plumbing skills or it [would have been] be difficult to assemble.”
Buy now £118.91, Amazon
VOVO VB-4000SE Electric Smart Bidet Toilet Seat
Best for: seamless integration
Luxury hi-tech Japanese toilets are notoriously expensive. While this electric toilet seat isn’t exactly on the cheaper end of the spectrum, it’ll prevent you from having to replumb your bathroom to gain the wonderful benefits of a smart bidet system. The energy-efficient toilet seat is equipped with a wireless remote controller, auto-deodorisation, an LED night light and a heated seat for winter comfort.
Buy now £389.99, Amazon
Kaizen Solutions Floor Standing Back to Wall Japanese Style Bidet Toilet
Best for: hygiene
This toilet isn't exactly low-maintenance - it needs its own power supply - but it's worth the bother for the ability to adjust water temperature and flash LED lights, turning a simple loo visit into a theatrical experience.
There are front and back washes for a cleaner post-loo feeling, a warm air dryer with five settings and a night light so you don't have to jolt yourself by turning on the main bathroom light in the early hours.
Design-wise it's a sleek thing too with a wall-mounted seat that keeps the floor clear so you can clean right under it.
Buy now £1200.00, B&Q
