Transparent public toilets evoking the kawaya spirit in Tokyo

Vision glass public toilet foster spirit of hospitality evoking  ancient Kawaya

Transparent public toilets evoking the kawaya spirit in Tokyo
Transparent public toilets evoking the kawaya spirit in Tokyo

The charity said potential chicken owners would need fox-proof accommodation that could be locked at night and two square meters o open space per bird.

Public toilets in Japan are introducing innovative see-through toilets and created a good visual image. The idea is that people will be able to go up and see just how clean and inviting these public restrooms are, before stepping inside.

The toilets don’t remain transparent when occupies as the vision glass will turn opaque as soon as the cubicle is in use, allowing the required level of privacy.

Seventeen public toilets in Tokyo’s Shibuya district have been renovated and transformed into these see-through stalls as part of the “Tokyo Toilet Project”.

These public toilets are being designed by 16 leading creators and will use advanced design to make them accessible for everyone regardless of gender, age, or disability to demonstrate the possibilities of an inclusive society explained by the Nippon Foundation which steering the project.

“In addition to the construction, we have arranged for ongoing maintenance so that people will feel comfortable using these public toilets and foster a spirit of hospitality for the next person.”

Some of the vision glass is designed to look like a “Kawaya” – a toilet from Neolithic Times. These were made from hardened soil and wood and the Nippon Foundation has attempted to emulate this with one of the installations.

“In Japan, toilets originated with Kawaya, huts built over rivers dating back to the prehistoric Jomon period. Trying to envision the appearance and atmosphere of this primitive kawaya we built an “ambiguous space” that is simultaneously an object and a toilet by randomly combining 15 concrete walls” the Foundation said.

The spaces between the walls lead users into three different areas designed for Men, Women, and everyone so that a unique relationship in which users are invited to interact with the facility as if they are playing with a curious piece of playground equipment.”

Japan is renowned for one of the cleanest countries in the world, as even the public toilets have a higher standard of hygiene than in much of the rest of the world.

“To dispel  misconception of stereotypes of dark, dirty, smelly and scary toilets, Nippon Foundation has decided to renovate 17 public toilets located in Shibuya, Tokyo, in cooperation with the Shibuya City Government.”

All the new bathrooms will have ongoing maintenance and professional toilet inspection regime to periodically survey them to ensure they remain safe and clean.