Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet

Tomohito Ushiro

The Tokyo Toilet LogoShibuya City Tourism Association

Public toilets in Shibuya like you've never seen

Toilets are a symbol of Japan's world-renowned hospitality culture. Public toilets have been redesigned in 17 locations throughout Shibuya (Tokyo, Japan) with the help of 16 creators invited from around the world. 

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet (2022-07-22) by Tomohito UshiroShibuya City Tourism Association

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet by Tomohito Ushiro

I wanted to design a public toilet that embodies the original idea behind this project that “we are all the same in the sense that we are all different.” I wanted this facility not only to be safe, secure, and clean but also easy to use for everyone.

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet (2022-07-22) by Tomohito UshiroShibuya City Tourism Association

Since it’s inside a park, surrounded by greenery and many residents and visitors, I designed this toilet to be like a piece of public art that is part of daily life while also constantly asking questions to the viewer.

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet (2022-07-22) by Tomohito UshiroShibuya City Tourism Association

I hope it becomes a monument that continues to question the significance of this project.

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet (2022-07-22) by Tomohito UshiroShibuya City Tourism Association

The toilet lights up in 7.9 billion ways―as many as the world’s population.

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet (2022-07-22) by Tomohito UshiroShibuya City Tourism Association

It continues to illuminate in different patterns, like light filtering through the trees during the day and like the moonlight or wandering fireflies at night, and will you will never see the same pattern twice.

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet (2022-07-22) by Tomohito UshiroShibuya City Tourism Association

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet (2022-07-22) by Tomohito UshiroShibuya City Tourism Association

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet (2022-07-22) by Tomohito UshiroShibuya City Tourism Association

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet (2022-07-22) by Tomohito UshiroShibuya City Tourism Association

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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