Where Is the Toilet in Japan? Phrases, Signs and Toilet Tech

The question you need is “Toire wa doko desu ka?” (トイレはどこですか), which means “Where is the toilet?” In Japan the everyday word is toire, not “bathroom”, because a Japanese bathroom is usually a separate room with only a bath. If you say “bathroom”, people may think you want to take a bath.

• Where is the bathroom?

  トイレはどこですか

  Toire wa doko desu ka

  The phrase to learn first. Add "Sumimasen" (Excuse me) in front to be polite.
• Where is the restroom? (more polite)

  お手洗いはどこですか

  Otearai wa doko desu ka
• Are there restrooms nearby?

  近くにトイレはありますか？

  Chikaku ni toire wa arimasu ka?

  Useful at a station, park or tourist site.

Words you will see on signs

You may not hear the answer clearly, so it helps to know what to look for. These are the signs and labels you are likely to meet.

• Toilet (sign)

  トイレ / お手洗い

  Toire / Otearai
• Men

  男性 (男)

  Dansei (Otoko)

  Learn the single character 男 for men.
• Women

  女性 (女)

  Josei (Onna)

  Learn the single character 女 for women.
• Multipurpose / accessible toilet

  多機能トイレ

  Takinou toire

  A larger room for wheelchair users, families and people who need space.
• Occupied

  使用中

  Shiyouchuu
• Vacant

  空き

  Aki

Other ways to ask

If you want to use a toilet in a shop, cafe or restaurant, ask for permission first. In Japanese you “borrow” the toilet, which is the polite way to put it.

• May I borrow the toilet?

  トイレをお借りしてもいいですか

  Toire o okarishite mo ii desu ka

  The polite way to ask in a shop, cafe or restaurant.
• Can I use the toilet?

  トイレを使ってもいいですか

  Toire o tsukatte mo ii desu ka

Where to find a toilet in Japan

Public toilets are easy to find and usually clean and free.

• Train and subway stations almost always have toilets. Some are inside the ticket gates and some are outside, so look for the sign before you tap in.
• Department stores and shopping centres have toilets on most floors.
• Parks and tourist sites have public toilets, often near the entrance.
• Convenience stores (konbini) sometimes have one for customers, but not always. Ask first.
• Family restaurants and cafes will usually let customers use their toilet.

How Japanese toilets work

Most toilets in Japan are Western-style seats. Many have a control panel on the side or wall. If the labels are unfamiliar, these are the ones you will meet.

• Flush

  流す

  Nagasu
• Stop

  止 / 停止

  Tome / Teishi

  Stops the spray. If something unexpected happens, press this one.
• Rear wash

  おしり

  Oshiri
• Front wash (bidet)

  ビデ

  Bide
• Large flush / small flush

  大 / 小

  Dai / Shou

  Found on a flush lever. Large uses more water than small.

A few more things you may come across:

• Sound devices. Some toilets have a button that plays a flushing sound, which masks noise. It is called otohime and it is meant to be polite.
• Squat toilets. Japanese-style (washiki) toilets are still found in some older buildings and rural places. Face the raised, hooded end.
• Toilet slippers. In some inns, homes and restaurants you will find separate slippers by the toilet door. Swap into them inside, and swap back when you leave. Walking out in them is a classic mistake.

When something goes wrong

• The toilet is clogged

  トイレが詰まっています

  Toire ga tsumatte imasu

  Tell the hotel or restaurant staff. They will be glad you told them.
• There is no toilet paper

  トイレットペーパーがありません

  Toiretto peepaa ga arimasen

Common mistakes

1. Saying “bathroom”. Use toire or otearai. A “basuruumu” is a room with a bath.
2. Not knowing the characters 男 and 女. In a hurry, signs with only text can be confusing. Learn the two characters before your trip.
3. Wearing the toilet slippers back out into the hall or restaurant.
4. Expecting a towel. Carry your own.
5. Using staff-only toilets in a shop or restaurant. If it is not clear, ask first.

More for your trip

Eating out? See how to order food in Japanese. For the full set of phrases you will need, read our Japanese phrases for travel.