I finally managed to see Wim Wender’s superb film Perfect Days. This truly moving and heartfelt movie centers on a Tokyo resident who is employed cleaning a set of special public toilets in the Shibuya City district. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend that you do.
In 2020, the city of Shibuya and Nippon Foundation embarked on an initiative called Tokyo Toilet. They brought together some of the biggest names in architecture and design to renovate 17 public restrooms all throughout Shibuya. There’s even a series of tours that offer in-depth exploration into the crossroads of public hygiene and architecture.
The Tokyo Toilet Shuttle Tour is operated by ride-share company NearMe. A 4-hour long tour of all 17 toilet, or a 2-hour long tour divided into East and West, guides restroom enthusiasts through what are referred to as the symbols of Japan’s world-renowned hospitality culture. During the tour or after, you’ll never have to worry about finding a public restroom in Tokyo ever again.
You can learn more about the tours and sign up over at NearMe.