Let’s talk about bathrooms. I have found public restrooms throughout Okinawa and Tokyo to be very clean and well maintained. Some are a little confusing for me to determine the proper way to flush, but judging by some of the instructions I have seen posted others may have difficulty in knowing how to even sit correctly on the western style toilet! Many of the toilets offer heated seats. Some come with armrest controls that can play music, make flushing sounds, etc. In one such bathroom I had trouble figuring out how to actually flush the toilet though I was able to push the button to get flushing sounds, but that sadly did nothing to actually flush away the waste! In the lobby of our hotel in Tokyo I could not find a way to dry my hands. Fortunately a woman cleaning the bathroom realized my dilemma and pointed out the hand dryer that was located right inside each individual sink next to the soap dispenser!

Below is a short bathroom video. Don’t worry — it’s not X-rated!

And since bathrooms are so high-tech here, there are stores or sections of stores where many high-tech commodes are sold, many at staggering prices. I wonder if this trend will catch on in the U.S.