Confusion About Toilet Paper

It is OK to flush it in Japan, but this is a case where people get confused and try to throw it in the trash can due to the customs of their home country.

In some countries, it is customary not to flush toilet paper down the toilet but to throw it in a trash can next to it. For this reason, quite a few tourists visiting Japan are confused and do not know if it is OK to flush the paper. However, in Japanese toilets, it is basically fine to flush toilet paper down just like that.

Because Japan's sewage system is built on the premise of flushing toilet paper, it is common to flush it down the toilet bowl after use. Conversely, if you throw the paper in the trash can, it might surprise the cleaning staff. However, you must be careful because items that do not easily dissolve in water, such as tissue paper, wet wipes, and sanitary products, cannot be flushed.

Also, Japanese toilets are famous for being extremely clean and well-equipped. Many tourists are surprised by the warm-water bidet seats and automatic opening and closing functions, and some people even look forward to the "Japanese toilet experience." On the other hand, since the operation buttons are sometimes only in Japanese, you might be a little confused at first.

Just remembering the rule that "it is OK to flush the paper" will make using toilets in Japan much smoother.