TOTO (toilet) Museum, Kitakyushu
The TOTO Museum showcases the evolution of the TOTO business in Japan and it’s a great place to visit for Japanese toilet enthusiasts!
The Museum is located in Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture around 5 hours from Tokyo on the Shinkansen.
The museum was built to commemorate TOTO’s 100-year anniversary.
It’s a modern, sleek building with two main components representing a water droplet and a mountain. These buildings reference TOTO’s sustainability processes and the sustainability of the building itself.
The first floor of the building is a showroom, and the museum is located on the second floor.
The museum steps visitors through the history of the TOTO company from 1917 and showcases many toilet seats as well as beautiful ceramic ware.
The museum also offers a cosy library with TOTO-published books and the opportunity to rest (most books in Japanese).
A small theatre showcases the story of TOTO and the exhibition rooms detail plumbing efficiencies and the transformation of toilets in Japan.
An interesting display recreates specific bathrooms from famous buildings in Japan over the ages. For example, you can view the rare violet bathrooms of the Fujiya Hotel from 1936 or the wooden toilet seats from the State Guest House in Akasaka from 1974.
Most information is displayed in English and Japanese, however you can also use QR codes to scan with your phone and listen to audio guides of each section.
Try TOTO’s newest toilet at the museum
The public toilets inside the museum are fitted with TOTO’s newest release toilet, the Neorest, described as ‘pure luxury’.
The museum shop also has some great souvenirs to indulge in. You can take home a miniature TOTO toilet made with the same ceramics as the life-sized ones. They even suggest using it as a succulent pot plant!
Cost: Admission is free
Hours: 10am – 5pm (closed Mondays, Obon and New Year Holidays)
Address: 2-1-1 Nakashima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, 802-8601, Japan
Access: The museum is around 10 minutes by bus from Kokura Station. Take bus number 21, 22, 25 or 43 from the bus terminal at the south exit (Kokurajo Exit).
What else to do in the area
The city of Kitakyshu is an industrial city with many fascinating attractions.
Kokura Castle is named the ‘most entertaining castle in Japan!’ and for good reason! The castle lacks crowds, has interesting, interactive exhibits and even has a cafe on the top floor!
Other interesting attractions in the Kitakyshu area:
- Kawachi Wisteria Garden – famous for its flower tunnels
- Moji Port – one of Japan’s Special National Ports
- Yawata Steel Works – Japan’s first modern steel mill
- Tanga Market – a local market containing around 100 stores
- Kitakyushu Manga Museum – Contains 70,000 volumes of Japanese manga books
How to get to Kitakyushu
Kitakyushu (Kokura Station) is conveniently located on the Shinkansen line. It takes around five hours to reach Kokura Station from Tokyo on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen.
Kitakyushu also has an airport with several flights operating daily from Tokyo’s Haneda airport. Flight time is just under two hours.
You can also take a ferry from Tokyo’s Odaiba terminal and arrive in Kitakyushi 36 hours later via Tokushima.
Where to stay in Kitakyushu
Kitakyushu is serviced by efficient public transport. Kokura Station is the location for the Shinkansen and JR train lines take visitors to most places. There are also many buses and even a monorail that service the city also.
Therefore most places in Kitakyushu are convenient to stay in.
Options include:
- Premier Hotel Mojiko – This hotel located on the waterfront was designed by famous Italian architect Aldo Rossi. It’s located in the Mojiko Retro District and is a 2-minute walk to Mojiko Station.
- Art Hotel New Tagawa – This historic hotel is famous for its beautiful Japanese garden and sumptuous breakfast. It’s located just 3 minutes from Tanga Monorail Station.
- Suisui Garden Ryokan – This traditional style ryokan is located within the Art Hotel Tagawa, however, it provides a traditional stay option with a luxurious breakfast and dinner included. The rooms are tatami style and can cater for up to 8 people in one room, perfect for families.
Round up of the TOTO (toilet) Museum
This museum is one of those fun and quirky Japan experiences where you learn a lot!
The Kitakyushu area is less touristy than other places in Japan which means you have less crowds and more authentic experiences.
In addition to the interesting TOTO (toilet) Museum, Kitakyushu has a lot of interesting sites to visit including the entertaining Kokura Castle.
It’s worth considering an overnight stay or even a couple of days to fully appreciate this interesting city and surrounds.
