Many visitors regard Japan as the gateway to the future.
The country is so much more technologically advanced than the majority of other nations, from huge robots that serve dinner, to vending machines that dispense everything from Pokemon collectibles to Buddhist amulets.
Even Japan's toilets are elevated from the bog standard. They’re armed to the teeth with a range of eyebrow-raising features that make spending a penny an experience you’ll want to repeat.
We’re talking everything from bidet water washing functions to pre-warmed seats and a selection of soothing tracks to mask the sound of what you’re primarily using the loo for.
They’ve started to make waves on London’s dining scene too, with a handful of restaurants adding Tokyo-style toilets to their appeal. Akira, M Restaurants and many of the city’s high-end Japanese restaurants are ripe hunting grounds for anyone who wants to try them out for size.
If your W.C needs jazzing up and you're hankering for more from your washroom experience, you can have your very own installed too. They’re great for anyone with restricted mobility and who is with child, as well as anyone who wants to splash out on a little bathroom pampering.
Unless you’re in the trade yourself, it’s wise to get a professional to get your shiny new luxury loo in place. But which model? That’s where we come in.
We’ve rounded up the best options below and spotlighted their special features to help you make an informed decision about your new bathroom addition.
Best Japanese bidet toilets at a glance
- Best for the ultimate luxury: Homary Modern Smart One-Piece 1.28 GPF Floor Mounted Elongated Toilet and Bidet with Seat - £679.99, Homary
- Best for a massaging function: Milano Luxus Back to Wall Japanese Bidet Toilet - £1,399.99, Big Bathroom Shop
- Best for those with restricted mobility: Grohe Sensia Arena smart toilet - £2299.95, Victorian Plumbing
- Best for the eco-conscious: Purificare Wall Hung Smart Bidet Toilet Round - £699.97, Better Appliances
- Best for the kit without the kaboodle: FLORY Bidet Intelligent Toilet Seat - £299.99, Amazon
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Modern Smart One-Piece 1.28 GPF Floor Mounted Elongated Toilet and Bidet with Seat
Best for: the ultimate luxury
Special features: heated seating, warm flowing water, air drying, LED lighting, air purifying system
This smart toilet is armed to the teeth with features such as an integrated jet water bidet, which eliminates the need to ever buy toilet paper again, giving it an ecological and sanitarian edge. The tankless ceramic design means it’s great for smaller bathrooms and it comes with a manual flush too as a back-up.
There’s even LED lighting to help you find the toilet in the wee hours when you don’t want to wake yourself up by switching on the bathrooms main light.
For the ultimate in luxury, a remote control is included to activate things like the air purifying system.
A rose gold version is available for £999.99.
Buy now £679.99, Homary
Milano Luxus - Back to Wall Japanese Bidet Toilet
Best for: a massaging function
Special features: washing, drying, massaging, integral light and deodorising functions
This combined bidet and toilet will bring your bathroom bang into the 21st century thanks to its rollcall of functions which include, curiously, a massage option.
Operating manually or with the help of remote control, you can save settings according to different users, so each member of the household can enjoy a loo experience tailored to them.
The sleek ceramic unit also boasts a soft close seat to cut down on noise - a welcome feature if you’re using it in the middle of the night. Comes with a 20 year guarantee.
Buy now £1399.99, Big Bathroom Shop
Grohe Sensia Arena smart toilet
Best for: those with restricted mobility
Special features: shower toilet technology, remote control, wall mounting frame and push button
Designed to hang from the wall (making cleaning a whole lot easier) Grohe’s Sensia Arena Smart toilet is the transformation your home needs.
The modern-looking bidet toilet is ideal for anyone with restricted mobility in particular, as it offers not only oscillating and massage spray choices, but a warm air dryer too - no need to reach for toilet paper or wipes. Everything can be controlled from a smartphone app, one better than a remote as you won’t have to fiddle around with batteries. The seat is motion operated, opening and closing with nothing but a wave of the hand.
The white china comes coated with Grohe Hygiene antibacterial glazing (which is SIAA Kokin Japanese standard compliant) and a non-stick finish which means less stains over the long-term.
Buy now £2299.95, Victorian Plumbing
Purificare Wall Hung Smart Bidet Toilet Round
Best for: the eco-conscious
Special features: built-in dryer spray, Smart nightlight and wireless remote control
This toilet bidet combo is the ultimate in hygiene: no rims for germs to lurk under and kinder to the environment as it eliminates the need for toilet paper, lowering your carbon footprint. It’s designed to hang from the wall, leaving the floor clear for easier cleaning. The five levels of spray intensity can be temperature adjusted to between 31-39°C, and the hose self-cleans before each use too.
Buy now £699.97, Better Appliances
FLORY Bidet Intelligent Toilet Seat
Best for: the kit without the kaboodle
Special features: heated seat, warm water and warm dryer, deodorisation, range of front and rear washes and remote control
Available in three sizes: Elongated EU, Elongated UK and Normal UK, this seat allows you to turn your current toilet into a smart one, saving you the expense of buying a whole new unit.
To install, you’ll need to remove your current seat and replace it with this intelligent one - the trickist part appears to be connecting it with the water supply and an electricity socket, which isn’t something you’d readily find in a wet room. Consult a plumber and electrician first. Comes with a two year warranty.
Buy now £299.99, Amazon
