The bus tour stopped and the guide directed us to the restrooms. There was one western style toilet but it was out of order. And there was no toilet paper. I ended up buying tea-flavored ice cream for the first time in order to get some napkins to use for toilet paper. They wouldn't give me any napkins unless I bought an ice cream cone. Apparently, this was a common problem with western tourists.
I bought a waffle cone and it was really good! The store was skimpy with the napkins. They could have given away all their napkins as toilet paper if they weren't careful. Either that or they took advantage of the paper shortage to sell ice cream.
The toilet stall was similar to the one below except without the toilet paper. When I got back to the bus, I complained to the guide. She said paper was not usually available in public restrooms.
Japan had the greatest variety of toilets of any country I visited. Often there was one western style toilet and a couple of Japanese style toilets. You need thighs of steel to use a toilet that is flush with the ground. There is nothing to pull yourself up with. So, if you don't want to crawl around on the bathroom floor, you need to be able to stand up from a crouching position.
Hotel toilets were top of the line. They were similar to the one below. The toilet seat lid moved in and out of position. There was a bidet and a stream of warm air to dry you off. Plus, the toilet seat was warm!
There were buttons that I didn't understand so maybe it took your dog out for a walk, too.
Whenever we saw a cool toilet, we invited the other women in our group into the bathroom to check it out.
(UPDATE 2022) I have bidet at home now and use it everyday.
