The earliest excavated toilets found in Japan date back to A.D. 694 and were either just a hole in the ground or an early form of the flush toilet. The traditional squat toilet of today, with plumbing, were not introduced widely until after the Tokyo earthquake of 1923, when the Japanese realized hygiene and the importance of a sewage network was a way to reduce disease. Although the use of squat toilets is still widespread in Japan, the western-style seated toilet began to make inroads into society following the American occupation after World War II.
A Japanese squat toilet looks like a urinal that has been placed on the floor. It has a hood that comes up over the far end. It is made of either porcelain or stainless steel. The toilet comes in two types, one is cut into the ground and the other sits on a 1-foot platform, which makes it easier for men to urinate and reduces the associated splash. The toilet has the same flushing mechanism as a western-style seated toilet, and often comes in two sizes: a small one for urine and a large one for feces.
To use the toilet, you stand over it facing the hood. Then pull your trousers down below your knees and squat down as close to the toilet as possible. Make sure you stand over the middle and not too far back as you don't want to miss the basin. Once you have finished, flush and wipe and then stand up slowly. Many people who are not familiar with this type of toilet find the whole process of squatting difficult at first.
The Japanese like using the squat toilet, as they view it as a cleaner alternative to the western-style seated toilet since there is no body contact. The squat toilet is easier to clean and is more environmentally friendly because it uses less water. The only downfall is that the smell from feces may be stronger due to the lack of water in the trough.
Today, Japan is moving away from the squat toilet and the traditional toilet has become the seated bidet toilet. These are very common in Japan now in both homes and public restrooms. The seated bidet toilet shoots a jet of warm water onto your butt for extra cleaning after you have finished doing your business. In addition, other toilets are coming onto the market in Japan that include technology such as seat warmers and dryers (for after you have used the bidet). There are even toilets that play music so that nobody can hear you while you're on the toilet.
