#1Jan 1st, 2010
In my opinion, Japan is the world leader in toilet technology! Yes, that's right – toilets. Years ago, a company named “Toto” introduced something called a “washlet” and, as the name implies, it does actually “wash” your private parts.
Sounds goofy to most of us North Americans, but I got so hooked on them that during a visit back to Japan last year, I picked up a couple of their basic models of hi-tech toilet seats and installed them in our house. Upon trying one of them for the first time, a neighbor lady described it as a “religious experience.”
Basically, after you've “done your thing”, you push a button (choice of male or female) and a small wand emerges from under the rear of the toilet seat and gives you a comfortable micro-spray of warmed water. When you feel you've been all cleaned up, you just hit the off button, wand does a quick “self-cleaning cycle”, and goes back into hiding. Simple, but every well engineered.
Each unit has all kinds of micro-electronics built in...heat controls, water pressure, and a number of other things. They are very low energy units too.
In Japan, they offer all kinds of different models from various manufacturers these days, but even the most basic models (see photo) are pretty impressive. (I am a photo idiot, so fingers crossed that you'll be able to see this one!)
Yeah, I know...it all sounds a bit off the wall, but if you ever get to try one out, you will be hooked. I can't understand why these haven't become "mainstream"
in North America...
