Update:2025.03.04
Good to Know: Common Restroom Signs in Japan
Japan is famous for its high-quality restrooms. You'll find not only standard men’s and women’s restrooms but also a variety of facilities designed for different needs, such as kid-friendly toilets, baby seats, and restrooms equipped for ostomates. Many places also have nursing rooms and baby care facilities nearby, with easy-to-understand signs to guide you. Check the signs in advance and make the most of these facilities!
Contents
List of Pictogram Descriptions
Here are some commonly used toilet pictograms in Japan.お手洗：Toilets
Indicates a restroom. The left icon represents a women's restroom, and the right icon represents a men's restroom.
男女共用お手洗：All gender toilet
Indicates a restroom open to all, regardless of gender.
男性用トイレ：Men
Indicates a restroom for men only.
女性用トイレ：Women
Indicates a restroom for women only.
子供用トイレ：Children’s toilet
Indicates a restroom designed for children. The icon features a smaller figure to differentiate it from adult restrooms.
和式トイレ：Squatting style toilet
Indicates a traditional Japanese-style toilet used in a squatting position. Commonly found in older buildings and public facilities.
洋式トイレ：Sitting style Toilet
Indicates a toilet with a seat that you sit on to use. Originally introduced from Western countries, it is now widely used in Japan.
温水洗浄便座：Spray seat
Indicates a toilet with a built-in bidet function. It uses warm water for gentle cleansing after use and is commonly found in Japanese restrooms.
バリアフリートイレ：Accessible facility
Indicates a restroom designed for people with disabilities or wheelchair users. It includes features for elderly people, pregnant individuals, and those who need assistance, such as handrails, spacious areas, diaper changing tables, and facilities for ostomy users. This facility may also serve as a gender-neutral restroom.
オストメイト用設備／オストメイト：Facilities for Ostomy or Ostomate
Indicates facilities designed for ostomy (colostomy or urostomy) users. These are designed to allow people with a stoma (artificial anus or bladder) to manage their needs while standing.
介助用ベッド：Care bed
Indicates a care bed for individuals with disabilities or elderly people. It provides a safe space for changing clothes or personal care and can also serve as a diaper-changing table.
おむつ交換台：Diaper changing table
Indicates a table for changing diapers. It is used by caregivers or parents with infants and young children. Some men’s restrooms may also have this feature.
ベビーケアルーム：Baby care room
Indicates a room equipped for breastfeeding and diaper changing. It may also include facilities for preparing milk.
ベビーチェア：Baby chair
Indicates a seat that keeps children safely seated while an adult uses the restroom.
授乳室（女性用）：Baby feeding room (for women)
Indicates a breastfeeding room for women. It provides a private space for breastfeeding and may also be used to prepare milk and let the baby rest. Generally, men are not allowed to enter, though some areas, like diaper changing tables, may be accessible. Please follow the facility’s guidelines when entering.
着替え台：Changing board
Indicates a board used for changing clothes. It may have a step to assist elderly people, individuals with disabilities, or those who need support in changing safely. It can also be used for changing pantyhose or diapers.
スロープ：Ramp
Indicates a ramp for wheelchair users or other accessible facilities. These are installed at building entrances and restrooms, with consideration for people who may have difficulty seeing or are visually impaired.
