The Japanese Toilet

I don't mean to gross you out by showing you a picture of a toilet, but I don't think a lot of people know what a the traditional Japanese toilet looks like.  These days, most restrooms have at least some stalls with a Western toilet, and if you're in a hotel or somebody's home, they usually have the super fancy Western toilet with heated seat and all.  However, in train stations and parks this is sometimes all you will find.

The sight of this no longer scares me, but that was not always the case.  When we lived in Japan for the first time, I actually had a not-so-great experience with one of these.  Drew and I were visiting Nagasaki and were not yet able to check into our hotel.  The only bathroom we could find was in a nearby park and was Japanese style only.  It was the first time I had ever seen one of these things, much less tried to use one.  When I came into the stall I went ahead a faced the door like you would when using a Western toilet.  Not a good idea!  What I should have done was face the back wall.  You then use that lip coming up from the ground to tuck your pants behind.  There's even a handle to hold so you don't fall over onto the bathroom floor.  Let's just say I failed miserably and needed a wardrobe change...  I remember I was actually mad at Drew afterwards because he's a guy and it is so much easier for them.  Now I'm a serious pro and am ready to meet any toilet challenge thrown my way.  Good luck to any of you who happen across one of these in your future!