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Transparent toilets are the place to go in Tokyo

Public Toilets - Level 0

There are new public toilets in Tokyo, Japan. They have see-through walls. When someone locks the door, people can no longer see in. It is part of "The Tokyo Toilet". Designers made nicer toilets that are easier to use. People can feel comfortable using them. The toilets will be in 17 parks and public spaces.

The designers want to change the bad image of toilets. People think they are dark, dirty, smelly and scary places. People want clean and safe toilets. The first toilets opened in a park this week. Many tourists took photos of them. People can see the toilets and sinks from the outside, but only when they are empty.

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Public Toilets - Level 1

There are new public toilets in Japan. They have transparent walls. When someone locks the door, people can no longer see in. The project is called "The Tokyo Toilet". Designers will make new toilets that are nicer and easier to use. People must feel comfortable using public toilets. They must also think about the next user. Sixteen world-famous designers joined the project. Their toilets will be in 17 parks and public spaces in Japan's capital city Tokyo.

The designers want to change the negative image of public toilets. Many people think they are "dark, dirty, stinky and scary" places. People want toilets that are clean and safe. The first toilets opened in a Tokyo park this week. They became a tourist attraction. Many people took photos of them. People can see the toilets and sinks from the outside. When the door is locked, the special glass walls suddenly become dark, so no one on the outside can see inside.

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Public Toilets - Level 2

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Architects in Japan made a new public toilet. It has transparent walls. When someone locks the door it is not see-through. The Nippon Foundation started a project called "The Tokyo Toilet". It wants to design new public restrooms that are more attractive and accessible. An official said he wanted people to feel comfortable using public toilets and for people to think about the next person. World-famous architects participated in the project. In total, 16 top designers made new toilet designs. These will be dotted around in 17 parks and public spaces in Japan's capital Tokyo.

The Nippon Foundation wants to change the negative image of public toilets. Many people think toilets are "dark, dirty, stinky and scary" places. People want toilets that are clean, where "no one is secretly waiting inside". The first transparent toilets opened in a Tokyo park this week. They became a tourist attraction. Many people waited to take photos of them, and of course... go. People can see the toilets and sinks from the outside. However, when the door is locked, the special glass walls suddenly become dark, so no one on the outside can see inside.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Public Toilets - Level 3

Architects in Japan are redesigning the public toilet. They have unveiled a public toilet with transparent walls, until someone locks the door. An organisation called the Nippon Foundation created a project called "The Tokyo Toilet" to make public restrooms more attractive and usable. The idea was to use innovative design to make public toilets more accessible. An official said it wanted people to feel comfortable using public toilets, "and to foster a spirit of hospitality for the next person". World-famous architects such as Tadao Ando and Kengo Kuma participated in the project. In total, 16 top designers came up with toilets that will be dotted around in 17 parks and public spaces in Japan's capital Tokyo.

The Nippon Foundation said it wanted to stop people having a negative image of public toilets. It said many people thought toilets were "dark, dirty, stinky and scary" places. It said people care about if the toilets are clean, and that "no one is secretly waiting inside". The first transparent toilets opened in a park in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on August the 16th. They immediately became a tourist attraction with many people lining up to take photos of them, and of course to do their business. The toilet walls are transparent - you can see the white toilets and sinks from the outside. However, when the door is locked, the special film and glass walls suddenly become opaque so no one on the outside can see inside.

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