By ITSUKA JAPAN
The 'THE TOKYO TOILET SHUTTLE TOUR' is a guided journey through 17 stunning designer public toilets in Shibuya, Tokyo. Organized by the Shibuya City Tourism Association, this tour showcases unique restrooms designed by 16 renowned architects and designers, including Kengo Kuma and Marc Newson. The initiative, a collaboration between Shibuya City and the Nippon Foundation, aims to redefine the image of public restrooms by making them aesthetically pleasing, safe, and accessible for all.
The tour consists of two courses:
- East Course (8 locations)
- West Course (9 locations)
Each course lasts approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, starting and ending at Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu, 5F Main Entrance (Shibuya Mark City East Tower). The fee for participation is ¥4,950 per person.
Highlighted Toilets on the Tour:
- Nabeshima Shoto Park Toilet (鍋島松濤公園トイレ) – Designed by Kengo Kuma, featuring warm wooden elements blending with nature.
- Ebisu Station West Exit Toilet (恵比寿駅西口公衆トイレ) – A modern and minimalistic design by Kashiwa Sato.
- Yoyogi Fukamachi Small Park Toilet (代々木深町小公園トイレ) – A transparent glass-wall toilet by Shigeru Ban that turns opaque when in use.
- Harunogawa Community Park Toilet (はるのおがわコミュニティパークトイレ) – Another Shigeru Ban masterpiece using a similar fogging glass effect.
- Ebisu East Park Toilet (恵比寿東公園トイレ) – A white, octopus-inspired design by Fumihiko Maki.
- Ebisu Park Toilet (恵比寿公園トイレ) – Features 15 concrete walls creating a maze-like structure, designed by Masamichi Katayama.
- Sasazuka Greenway Toilet (笹塚緑道公衆トイレ) – Designed by Junko Kobayashi, balancing modernism with family-friendly elements.
- Hatagaya Park Toilet (幡ヶ谷公衆トイレ) – A futuristic and illuminated structure by Miles Pennington.
- Nanago Street Toilet (七号通り公園トイレ) – Touchless operation through voice recognition tech by Kazoo Sato.
- Hiroo East Park Toilet (広尾東公園トイレ) – A high-tech facility incorporating digital displays by Tomohito Gokuraku.
- Jingumae Public Toilet (神宮前公衆トイレ) – Trendy and stylish, designed by fashion director NIGO®.
- Omotesando Backstreet Toilet (裏参道公衆トイレ) – A sleek, curved design by Marc Newson.
- Jingudori Park Toilet (神宮通公園トイレ) – A circular, light-filled space designed by Tadao Ando.
- West Sando Public Toilet (西参道公衆トイレ) – Nature-enriched design by Sou Fujimoto.
These toilets are not just functional but also works of art, attracting both tourists and architecture lovers. Additionally, the tour ties into the 2023 film 'Perfect Days' directed by Wim Wenders, which tells the story of a janitor maintaining these remarkable public restrooms in Shibuya.
If you're in Tokyo, this tour offers a one-of-a-kind experience to explore the city's innovative approach to public facilities while enjoying unique architectural beauty.