Most people have had to use a public toilet at some point in their lives. While such facilities are indispensable, some public restrooms are criticized for being in locations that are dark and dirty. The Tokyo Toilet project in Shibuya Ward aims to change that image, by installing facilities featuring bold designs that are easy for everybody to use.
The lighting in a public toilet recently installed at the Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park in the ward helps to illuminate the park. The structure's glass walls also mean it is possible to see inside the restroom from outside.
Designed by world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban, the restroom features walls made from a special glass that becomes opaque when the door is locked, so when the toilet is occupied people outside cannot see inside.
The building has been designed to alleviate the anxieties some people have about using public restrooms, as people are able to easily confirm before entering if anyone is in the toilet or if the facilities are clean.
The ground-breaking design has been attracting more than just people answering the call of nature: People have also been spotted taking photographs of the building.
"I was surprised by the mechanism, but I feel safe using such a clean and bright toilet," a passer-by said.
To ensure the facilities remain in good condition, the toilets are cleaned three times a day.
"We don't want the completion of the facilities to be the end, we want to make sure that people will be able to use the facilities comfortably for the next five or 10 years," said an official of the Nippon Foundation, which is involved in the project.
Public restrooms featuring bold designs are being installed across Shibuya Ward as part of The Tokyo Toilet project. There are plans to install 17 facilities in the ward by next summer.
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