Comments on: Pee at the konbini

By: john turningpin

john turningpin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:22:33 +0000

I do have a problem with the 和式 toilet. My friend it is not.

The conbini tip is a good one. Bookstores and supermarkets are good as well. Tokyu Hands has saved me on more than one occasion…

By: thomas

thomas — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:03:44 +0000

@Fi: I don’t have a problem with Japanese toilets. The bathroom at my work only has a Japanese toilet and I’ve gotten used to using it over the years. If there’s a choice though, I’ll usually grab a western toilet.

Anyway, station toilets tend to be pretty nasty, but conbini toilets are usually clean. That’s what wins me over with this tip.

By: Fi

Fi — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:17:40 +0000

I don’t mean to sound snarky here, but do you guys actually have that much of a problem with Japanese toilets?! I mean, you only have to crouch down! The biggest thing that can go wrong is getting a bit of pee on your trousers, but you can avoid that if you’re careful. And actually it is FAR better for you to poo in the crouched stance than sitting down (your bowels are placed in a more natural position). I have visions of you holding it in, crossed-legged, waiting till you can find a western toilet to go in!

By: Deas

Deas — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:12:45 +0000

I dunno – David said that most konbinis don’t care if you don’t buy anything, but I always do just as a courtesy. I guess my native culture trickles in there – I think of facilities as being private, not public, and therefore for the use of customers. So I buy a pack of gum or a cheap piece of candy. :-)

By: adora

adora — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:09:56 +0000

You can also arrange to pick up your package from Amazon.co.jp at conbini too! (You know… for purchases you don’t want your family to know about…)

By: David

David — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:48:20 +0000

Most conbinis I know also have a sign saying please ask to use the restroom. So I typically ask, just to be polite. They will never say no, nor do they care if you don’t buy anything.

By: Karl

Karl — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:59:39 +0000

If you reserve a flight directly with ANA you can also pay for your plane ticket at a conbini.

By: morphine

morphine — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:06:00 +0000

Not all conbini’s have western style toilets though. There are two Lawsons within walking distance of my school and only one has a western-style toilet. Be careful :)

By: Haf

Haf — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:46:58 +0000

Luckily, often there is a conbini nearby. Sometimes however it might be really urgent to find a bathroom.
My Japanese teacher told me that in such cases she sometimes was glad to have a Pachinko Parlour nearby. they may be loud, but they also have clean bathrooms.
But be prepared to be approached by a store clerk. :)