Tokyo has often grabbed headlines for their novel ideas and inventions. Sometimes they’re pretty creative like getting recyclable cardboard beds for Olympic athletes to reduce carbon footprint, while at other times they’re downright bizarre like a restaurant serving 3D sushi based on one’s saliva, urine, and poop.
As per a report in CNN, Tokyo has recently installed 2 transparent restrooms with ‘smart-glass technology’ as the walls turn opaque when someone enters them. It is designed by a Pritzker Prize-winning architecture firm called Shigeru Ban Architects “aimed at changing people’s perceptions of public toilets”.
#Japan has installed something very #innovative – transparent toilets turning opaque when entered. pic.twitter.com/3g0rYH9jhh
— Tanya Gupta (@TheVibrantTanya) August 18, 2020
A statement on the project’s official website, Tokyotoilet.jp reads, “There are two things we worry about when entering a public restroom, especially those located at a park. The first is cleanliness, and the second is whether anyone is inside.”
These problems are tackled through the transparent glass walls that enable the outside public to see inside. The source continues, “This allows users to check the cleanliness and whether anyone is using the toilet from the outside.”
The Tokyo Toilet Project by Shigeru Ban at Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park. Transparent glass walls get opaque when the door is locked. pic.twitter.com/pGGFsZWsdP
— fgautron (@fgautron) August 16, 2020
When a person enters the lavatory and locks the door, the glass walls become frosted to ensure full privacy. “At night, the facility lights up the park like a beautiful lantern,” the source concludes.
Love this: The City of Tokyo creates Transparent public toilets to discourage anti-social behaviour and break down stereotypes https://t.co/75EKOS1xCi #creative #LetsmakeMagic #Innovation pic.twitter.com/v4Vy2bVVed
— Chris De Abreu (@chrisdeabreu) August 18, 2020
Forbes reports that there are currently two of them installed in Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park and the Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park, making it an unusual public attraction for the residents.
The units have 3 cubicles each- for men, women, and a multi-use toilet. The transparent tinted glass features in various colors like yellow, pink, purple, cyan, lime green, and blue.
Japan – the country of innovation – has come up with transparent toilets. Yay or nay? pic.twitter.com/Oiu9OJZwcr
— Dominika Walker (@dominika_walker) August 18, 2020
Tokyo Now Has Transparent Public Toilets. Let Us Explain. pic.twitter.com/8hqbnyOO9M
— Fat Burning Formula (@thefatburningf) August 19, 2020
Here’s a walk-through video of how the restrooms look like from inside:-
Dare to use these "transparent" public toilets in Japan? pic.twitter.com/LZNNpRqqZi
— SCMP News (@SCMPNews) August 18, 2020
This sure seems to be a complete U-turn from the dark, scary public restrooms we’re accustomed to. What do you think of these ‘colorful, ‘transparent’ lavatories? Bizarre or innovative? Tell us!