Tokyo, Japan

The unveiling of a transparent public toilet in a Shibuya park captured headlines around the globe. The innovative lavatory designed by architect Ban Shigeru is part of a broader project involving 16 creators that looks to shake up how people view public restrooms.

Public toilets are not typically hot topics of conversation. However, the August unveiling of all-glass restrooms at two Tokyo parks set social media abuzz. The facilities, constructed at Yoyogi Fukamachi Minipark and Haru no Ogawa Community Park in Shibuya, are the antithesis of the drab, concrete structures that typically occupy recreational areas. Boasting colorfully lit, transparent walls that allow anyone to peer into the normally concealed space, these seemingly exhibitionistic lavatories hold a secret-locking the door turns the specially made glass opaque, giving users all the privacy and security of a normal restroom while still allowing light to flood in. The brainchild of award-winning architect Ban Shigeru, the unconventional washrooms are part of a project to change how people view public toilets.

Japanese views of public restrooms are overwhelmingly negative. In a 2016 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism survey, slightly more than 1% of respondents said they frequently use toilets at parks and other public areas, compared to some 90% who insisted that they rarely or never utilize these communal lavatories. Over half of the respondents said that they avoid them altogether. A major reason people gave for shunning public commodes was their uncleanliness. A total of 68% of respondents said they considered facilities unsanitary, while 54% pointed to poor or infrequent cleaning as a deterrent. Safety was another concern, with 51% of people surveyed saying they felt uncomfortable or unsafe using restrooms at parks.

Ban designed the restrooms with glass walls to dispel the perception that public toilets are dark, dirty, and dangerous. Users can easily see how clean stalls are and whether they are occupied, putting minds at ease before stepping inside to answer nature’s call.

The transparent washrooms are part of the Tokyo Toilet project, an initiative by the Nippon Foundation in cooperation with the Shibuya City Government and the Shibuya Tourism Association. The project aims to create unique restroom facilities at 17 locations across the municipality that provide a comfortable user experience and are accessible to all members of the public.

Founded with the aim of contributing to a diverse and inclusive society, the project enlists 16 world-renowned architects and designers, including Ban, Andō Tadao, and Itō Toyoo, all winners of the prestigious Pritzker Prize, as well as other notable creators like Kuma Kengo. The project planner’s choice of Shibuya to showcase the creative designs of the participants reflects the area’s role as a cultural center and crossroads for people from different backgrounds.

Seven facilities are operational as of the time of writing, with the remaining 10 slated to be finished at different times in 2021.

The Tokyo Toilet project also involves a number of leading corporate partners. Homebuilder Daiwa House Industry is involved in the layout and the construction of facilities, and toilet maker Toto is providing equipment and aiding in design. Art director Satō Kashiwa is overseeing the signage and pictograms displayed at the restrooms.

Nippon Foundation Executive Director Sasakawa Junpei says that building the restrooms is only one aspect of the project and emphasizes that maintaining the facilities in a pristine state will be key. Dedicated cleaning staff clad in uniforms by Japanese fashion designer Nigo will look after upkeep of the restrooms, with maintenance status posted online. Sasakawa hopes that these efforts will draw visitors to the areas where the toilets are located and encourage people to use the facilities in a responsible and considerate manner.

Designers: Ban Shigeru, Tadao Andō, Toyoo Itō, Kengo Kuma, Fumihiko Maki, Tamura Nao, Katayama Masamichi/Wonderwall, and Takenosuke Sakakura
Clients: Nippon Foundation in cooperation with the Shibuya City Government and the Shibuya Tourism Association
Photographers: Courtesy of the Nippon Foundation