Tokyo Unveils Transparent Public Toilets That Still Provide Privacy

In an effort to show the cleanliness and availability of a public bathroom, bathrooms with transparent walls have been created.

A man walks past a transparent toilet designed by Shigeru Ban.
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Image via Getty/PHILIP FONG

A man walks past a transparent toilet designed by Shigeru Ban.

Public restrooms with transparent walls have started to crop up in Tokyo. The unusual lavatory comes from the Tokyo Toilet Project, which aims to present public restrooms as clean and safe facilities. 

The Tokyo Toilet Project enlisted the help of architect Shigeru Ban to fulfill their vision. Ban created bathrooms with walls that you can see through until the door is locked from the inside. Once locked, the walls become opaque with various pastel hues, preventing anyone from looking inside. "At night, the facility lights up the park like a beautiful lantern," Ban's firm explains on their website.

The restrooms underwent a variety of tests from the public, and it seems to have passed the privacy test.

Tokyo’s transparent toilets turn heads: The walls of the cubicles are made of special glass which remains see-through until the user locks the door pic.twitter.com/vJ8tHnjY6d

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 26, 2020

Some online said they would feel comfortable doing their business, knowing that you can be one malfunction away from having unwanted viewers.

New toilets in a park in Shibuya are transparent when unoccupied but turn opaque when the door is locked. Poster worries what happens if it malfunctions while you’re doing your business 😅 https://t.co/reYIeAiLdZ

— Unseen Japan (@UnseenJapanSite) July 31, 2020

Transparent public toilets in Japan that turn opaque when they’re being used.

One of those cases where you *really* don’t want a tech malfunction. pic.twitter.com/ObMuZ4ZCMs

— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) August 24, 2020

Others, however, applauded Ban for the innovative approach. 

Rad new public toilets in Tokyo are transparent; they have smart glass that turns opaque when they lock the doors.

Japan is always at the forefront of bathroom innovations! pic.twitter.com/Yhgwt137ry

— Sheel Mohnot (@pitdesi) August 21, 2020

#Japan has long been world-famous for its innovative smart #toilets, but these breath-taking new designs are more futuristic than ever! From transparent to concrete walls, see them here https://t.co/TazsLGYNe7 and https://t.co/tiPC3KdGN1 #design #banshigeru @Wonderwall_MK

— Japan House London (@japanhouseldn) August 21, 2020

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