The Japanese Bathroom Feature That’ll Make Your Space Feel So Fancy
One of the many perks of being a travel writer is that I experience luxurious bathrooms around the globe. I’ve been fortunate enough to stay in rooms with everything from freestanding tubs made of volcanic rock to elaborate rain showers with a plethora of soothing settings. These additions are pampering to experience while I’m traveling, but they aren’t convenient — or honestly, affordable — for me to include in my home.
Although lavish amenities are nice to have during a hotel stay, it was something simpler that caught my attention at Lake Nona Wave Hotel in Orlando: A heated toilet seat. I consider it an upgrade I never realized I needed. However, after years of having a chilly throne for perching my posterior, a warm seat was an elevated experience that’s not as commonplace in the U.S. as it should be.
Although I haven’t checked Japan off my destination bucket list yet, it’s well-known that Japanese tech is innovative, and their privies are just as cutting-edge. As a nomad, Veronica Hansen currently resides in Tokyo and is intimately familiar with its creature comforts. “Bathrooms in Japan have the most amazing toilet seats,” she says while noting features like warmers and built-in bidets.
Another convenience is that toilets play music from the moment you sit down until after the potty is flushed. “You’ve got a warm bum, clean bum, and privacy from anybody hearing you,” Hansen adds. So while you and I may not be able to afford the TOTO Neorest Smart Toilet as I experienced in Florida — it can set you back anywhere from $7,000 to $20,000 — you can get away with a few simple additions to elevate time spent on the latrine. Here’s how.
