The best part of waking up is a hot water jet in your butt. Ken of What Japan Thinks gets to the 'bottom' of how Japan feels about its butt washing technology.
Who Soc'd It?
Once you go Washlet, a regular toilet just doesn't cut it anymore.
But apparently there is side-effect to the bliss of hot water blasts to your bum, called The Washlet Syndrome.
Proctologists warn that if you overuse the Washlet, you can lose the ability to defecate on your own, and/or develop a rash due to it being too clean down there.
Whatever the case, it can be pretty habit forming. Whenever I notice one in a public bathroom in Tokyo, I find myself making a mental note of it..
My greatest concern about leaving Japan is will I be able to get one installed in my bathroom in the U.S.?
My washlet is the single BEST thing I like about Japan, by far.
I have a tip for first timers. If you're curious about these buttons, press them when you're sitting down. Water up your bum is a far lesser shock than a fountain of water all over the toilet, floor and your trousers!