Artistic public toilets are proliferating in Shibuya "THE TOKYO TOILET": Cleaning experience for children is also carried out
The “THE TOKYO TOILET” project announced a “transparent toilet” and surprised the world in August 2020. Since then, unique public toilets have been created one after another in parks and roads in Shibuya Ward. Thorough maintenance is also done to keep it clean, and it is also attracting attention as a new tourist attraction.
Toilets designed by world-famous creators are in operation at 13 locations
"Cleaning was difficult, but I'm happy when it's clean!"
On October 8, at Ebisu Park in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, elementary school students and kindergarten children shouted with deck brushes and rags. The concrete maze-like structure that the children cleaned is a public toilet designed by interior designer Masamichi Katayama. It was born from the "THE TOKYO TOILET" project, which the Nippon Foundation is promoting in collaboration with Shibuya Ward.
Children who experienced toilet cleaning. Masamichi Katayama worked on the interiors of UNIQLO flagship stores in New York, Paris, and Ginza.
The Ebisu Park toilet, which opened in August 2020, with children who experienced toilet cleaning. Masamichi Katayama worked on the interiors of UNIQLO flagship stores in New York, Paris, and Ginza.
In this project, 16 famous architects such as Tadao Ando and Kengo Kuma, as well as internationally active creators such as Katayama, Kashiwa Sato, and NIGO participated. The aim is to dispel the 4K (dirty, smelly, dark, scary) image of public restrooms with innovative designs and free imagination. Furthermore, by providing facilities that can be used comfortably by anyone regardless of gender, age, or disability, the aim is to promote the realization of a diverse society.
In August 2020, the glass-enclosed toilet designed by Shigeru Ban, which was first put into service, became a hot topic in Japan and overseas through SNS. At present, 13 of the 17 locations have been completed and are open to the public.
"Transparent toilet" at "Yoyogi Fukamachi Small Park". When locked, it changes to frosted glass like the one on the far right.
Kengo Kuma's signature wood design harmonizes perfectly with the greenery of Nabeshima Shoto Park (completed in June 2021)
Design the entire project including cleaning activities
Even a stylish restroom is spoiled by filth and smell. The project will also focus on maintenance. In addition to regular cleaning three times a day, a toilet diagnostician checks the condition every month and cleans using a special solvent. In addition, the exterior walls, lighting equipment, and ventilation fans are thoroughly maintained once a year. The janitor's uniform is designed by NIGO and plays a role in improving the image of toilet cleaning.
A cleaning workshop for children is also held as part of maintenance activities. The aim is to make people aware of the importance of public facilities and raise awareness as members of society through toilet cleaning. Nobutaka Yamato, the representative of Amenity Co., Ltd., who served as a lecturer, said, "When I talked to children, I realized that they are teaching them the importance of cleaning toilets at home and at school. I learned today. I want you to take it home and tell your friends."
Mr. Yamato, a toilet diagnostician, explains the difference in detergent types and effects with demonstrations.
The children took the initiative to brush the deck
Children vigorously brushing the deck
Visiting THE TOKYO TOILET has become a quiet boom among architecture fans and art lovers. Restaurants with clean toilets are popular, but a town that turns toilets into tourism resources is unique in the world. Mr. Yamato also said, "Clean public toilets help improve the image of the entire town. In Shibuya, which is busy at night, it is not uncommon for them to be dirty, but I would like to continue to thoroughly maintain them." .
The 7-go-dori Park Toilet (Hi Toilet), which was created by a team led by Mr. Kazoo Sato, won gold at the iF DESIGN AWARD 2022, one of the world's three major design awards. German-born director Wim Wenders is making a movie set in THE TOKYO TOILET. We will introduce 6 of THE TOKYO TOILET, which are now attracting attention from around the world, that were completed between 2021 and October 2010.
The huge white object that appeared at the west exit of Ebisu Station is a public toilet designed by Kashiwa Sato (opening in July 2021). Because it is in front of the station, there are many customers, and it is a great effort to keep it clean.
"Nanago-dori Park Toilet" (opened in August 2021), which adopted the voice command system that can be operated without touching it and won the highest award at the German "iF DESIGN AWARD"
"Nanago-dori Park Toilet" (completed in August 2021), which uses a voice command system suitable for an era where non-contact is required.
■ NIGO
"Jingumae Public Toilet" (Jingumae 1-3)
NIGO is a fashion designer who started his career in Harajuku and is now the artistic director of KENZO. The concept of the toilet that he worked on in Jingumae, which can be said to be his own base, is Subari "Onkochishin". Appropriate for Harajuku, where American culture permeated early in Tokyo after the war, it is finished in the style of an American army house where nostalgia and newness coexist.
A detached house-style public toilet left behind in a group of buildings, on the contrary, gives a fresh feeling.
A detached house left behind in the big city (completed in May 2021)
A cute exterior reminiscent of Washington Heights, which used to be in Yoyogi
A retro exterior reminiscent of Washington Heights, which used to be in Yoyogi
The interior of the toilet is of course the latest model. Equipped with warm water washing toilet seat, ostomate, baby chair, etc.
Equipped with warm water washing toilet seat, ostomate support, baby chair, etc.
■ Kengo Kuma
"Nabeshima Shoto Park Toilet" Shoto 2-10-7
Mr. Kengo Kuma, who created the National Stadium with the warmth of wood, also used plenty of wood here. While harmonizing with the historic park that was originally a suburban residence of the Kishu Tokugawa family, it has an overwhelming presence. Five huts covered with cedar wood are connected by a promenade named "Forest Comichi" to ensure ventilation and become a playground for children.
Nabeshima Shoto Park Toilet, which is said to connect "Toilet Village" with "Forest Comichi". It seems that cedar wood of different widths and lengths are arranged casually, but it is actually a well-calculated design.
It seems that cedar wood of different widths and lengths are arranged casually, but it is actually a well-calculated design.
Ventilation and safety are ensured by arranging the forest community so that it can pass through.
Mori no Komichi that ensures ventilation and safety
The toilet is hidden in the forest, and the interior is also decorated with wood.
Even the interior of the private room is like a forest
■ Toyo Ito
"Yoyogi Hachiman Public Toilet" (5-1-2 Yoyogi)
Toyo Ito, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, known as the Nobel Prize of architecture, made three mushrooms appear in the forest of Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine. The round tiled outer wall has a beautiful gradation and harmonizes perfectly with the green that spreads behind. It also has functionality such as distributing three private toilets and equipping all the buildings with baby chairs.
Yoyogi Hachiman public toilet with the concept of "Three Mushrooms" will open in July 2021
Yoyogi Hachiman public toilet with the concept of "Three Mushrooms" that appeared in the forest (completed in July 2021)
At night when the lights are on, the round roof appears to float.
The private rooms are spacious and are wheelchair accessible.
The private rooms are spacious and wheelchair-friendly
■ Kashiwa Sato
"Ebisu Station West Exit Public Toilet" (Ebisu Minami 1-5-8)
Kashiwa Sato, one of Japan's leading art directors who is in charge of brand strategies for companies such as Uniqlo and Rakuten Group, created a pure white square toilet in front of Ebisu Station. The ultimate in simplicity and charm is the true value of Kashiwa design.
Ebisu statue and Ebisu station west exit public toilet. Simple yet eye-catching design is truly a word
Ebisu Station West Exit Public Toilet Watched by Ebisu Statue
The cube-shaped toilet part is surrounded by aluminum louvers, so you can't tell it's a toilet at first glance.
Because it is in front of the station where there is a lot of traffic, the entrance is placed on the back so as not to be noticed by others. Light enters from the louver, so the passage is bright and safe to use
Place the entrance on the back side because it is in front of the station with a lot of traffic. The louvers that let the light in ensure the brightness of the aisles
A pictogram that is highly visible and gives a soft impression. Cleaners wear coveralls designed by NIGO
The pictograms devised by Mr. Kashiwa, which are highly visible and give a soft impression, will be used in all toilets in the project. The janitor wears a coverall designed by NIGO
■ Kazoo Sato / Disruption Lab Team
Nanago-dori Park Toilet (2-53-5 Hatagaya)
Mr. Kazoo Sato, who has won numerous advertising awards and was the Chief Creative Officer of TBWA HAKUHODO, took up the challenge of developing a non-contact toilet. The reason for this is that many people do not want to touch doorknobs directly in public restrooms, and often step on levers with their feet. The design, which looks like a round sphere from the road side, is also highly evaluated.
Nana-go-dori park toilet with an excellent design that looks like a white sphere from a distance
Nana-go-dori park restrooms that look like white spheres
Looking from the entrance side of the toilet, it looks like a mushroom cut in half
When viewed from the toilet entrance side, the shape looks like a mushroom cut in half.
If you read the QR code at the entrance, voice commands will work. You will be able to open and close the door and operate the toilet seat without using your hands.
Voice commands are activated by scanning the QR code at the entrance. You can open and close the door and operate the toilet seat without using your hands.
■ Tomohito Goto
Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet (Hiroo 4-2-27)
Tomohito Goto, creative director in charge of UNIQLO's sustainability division. The toilet with a solid design like a stone monument seems to have stood in the park for a long time. The lighting panel on the back projects 7.9 billion patterns.
Hiroo Higashi Park toilets will open in July 2022. It has already blended into the scenery of the park
Hiroo Higashi Park toilet that blends into the scenery will open in July 2022
Simple and easy to use. Equipped with an ostomate, baby chair, diaper changing table, etc.
Pursuing simplicity and ease of use. Equipped with ostomate support, baby chair, diaper changing table, etc.
The lighting panel on the back says, "It's impossible to see the same lighting pattern twice." It's even more magical when you look at it at night
The lighting panel on the back, which becomes even more magical at night, is said to be "impossible to see the same pattern twice." Focus on surrounding plants
