Visiting the Loo

What?
Kitakyushu (北九州) – literally “North Kyushu” – is the second most populated city of Kyushu (九州), but is mainly known as an industrial center. Given this status, touristic attractions are scarce; on the other hand, eateries and places to drink are plentiful. Kokura Castle (小倉城) might be Kitakyushu’s biggest claim to fame, but the city also houses several museums, among which the museum from toilet manufacturer Toto (TOTO ミュージアム).
Where?
This large city in Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県) is easy to reach, as Kokura Station (小倉駅) is a major stop along the shinkansen line. The city also has an airport that is connected with Tokyo (東京).
URL
Japan Guide Japan Kyushu Tourist

I had been to Kitakyushu already on 2 occasions. Once to use it as a hub on my return from Yamaguchi Prefecture (a campaign made that traveling between Kyushu and Osaka was actually cheaper despite the longer distance) and once as an away supporter for my favorite football team - Kitakyushu has quite a pretty stadium right next to Kokura Station.
It struck me as a bustling city, but only just that… meaning people, concrete, neon signs and many, many eateries.

On my third and slightly longer visit, that imagine only got reconfirmed. But Kitakyushu is not without its charms. I’m sure there are good eateries and watering holes, and in general I found the bustle different, more bearable than hotspots in metropolises like Tokyo and Osaka. I wish I had a local to guide me to these good and welcoming establishments though.

Other than the urban sprawl, I knew the city had a castle. A nicely made concrete replica, but so much dwarfed by the concrete surrounding it that it is difficult to enjoy the building in itself. However, the two times I passed it, local events and flea markets livened up the place.
It’s not enough to justify a stop in Kitakyushu though.

Kitakyushu's football team's homeground.

Modern art.

If these were real toilets, I wouldn't sit there.

The traditional hole in the ground.

However, Kitakyushu has an unexpected ace up its sleeves. A toilet museum.
I kind of expected the Toto Museum to be a room full of propaganda for the company’s own products. And while in a way this was the case, it was also highly informative and absolutely worth a detour - not in the least because it’s free.

The museum comprises one whole floor of a futuristic looking building. The building in itself is already quite interesting; the museum is even more so.

It starts out with an introduction of Toto the company and its sister branches. You learn it’s not only about toilets, but also about pottery and porcelain for example. There are some strange exhibits like plates and a toilet-made-into-motorcycle. Add to that a museum shop, and my initial fears about a self-promoting cheap ass (pun intended) museum were being confirmed.

But enter exhibit room 2.
This huge space tells and shows the history and evolution of toilets, faucets, bathrooms, water usage, …
I usually barely listen to audio guides, but this I listened to every explanation.
We use toilets every day but never seem to think about how they work, how they have features to ease hygienic maintenance, how a shower feels the same with less use of water, etc etc

I absolutely loved this as museum and before I knew it 2 hours had passed.
The only working toilet on the floor was an exhibit in itself and would have been a great closer, if only I hadn’t used it as an opener.

What a great museum!