xyz

Planning a Japanese bathroom

Reading Time: 5 minutes | Article from 12.8.2025

The Japanese bathroom is a perfect illustration of Japan's special, celebrated bathing culture.

What are the special features of Japanese bathrooms?What are the advantages of Japanese bathrooms?Design your Japanese bathroom with us

Content

At a glance

Japanese bathrooms have a clever and comprehensive design.
Natural colours and materials play a major role.
Add a touch of Japanese style to your bathroom with a screen.
Modern technology is an important part of the Japanese bathroom.

Special features of the Japanese bathroom

The layout of a Japanese bathroom differs significantly from its Western counterpart. While we tend to group all the sanitary facilities together, often in a small room, the Japanese bathroom design is rather more spacious. Firstly, there is a toilet with an anteroom. The washbasin and washing machine are located in the anteroom. If you only have one room, you can use a screen in your bathroom. The toilet should always be physically separated. In Japan, the shower and bathroom each have their own room.

Minimalist bathroom with a Villeroy & Boch grey freestanding Theano bath on a stone platform.

Freestanding bath in Japanese culture

In Japan, a freestanding bath is an essential feature in every bathroom. It shares a space with the shower, which is often installed level with the floor. Modern technologies are frequently integrated in freestanding baths to make the bathing experience as pleasant as possible.

Villeroy & Boch baths

A close-up of a modern wall-mounted shower toilet with the lid open and a jet of water projecting out of the bowl.

What makes a Japanese toilet special?

Japanese toilets incorporate modern technologies. They are usually ‘shower toilets’ that combine the functions of a toilet and a bidet. Japanese toilets also flush automatically, provide warm air for drying and diffuse a fragrant scent.

Discover the Villeroy & Boch shower toilet

Advantages of Japanese bathrooms

The Japanese bathroom combines a practical and functional design with lots of space for relaxation and tranquillity. The bathing ceremony reflects this too: before stepping into the bath, you wash thoroughly in the shower. The bath is used exclusively for regeneration and relaxation rather than personal hygiene.

The clever room layout allows more than one person to use the bathroom at the same time.
Modern technologies enhance the bathing experience while saving water.
The division of cleansing and relaxation into subsequent steps allows several people to use the bath water in succession.

Interior design & furnishings: tips for a Japanese bathroom

If you would like to give your bathroom a Japanese-style makeover, we have a few tips to help you create the look. We show you our favourite tips for designing Japanese-style bathrooms.

Modern bathroom with a Villeroy & Boch white Loop & Friends bath, a round mirror above a beige washbasin, a wooden stool and a brick accent wall.

Modern bathroom with two round mirrors, a floating wooden washstand, a double washbasin, black taps, a freestanding Antao bath with a towel and a minimalist houseplant next to a wooden slatted wall.

Stylish Villeroy & Boch bathroom with a glazed, open shower and puristic natural decor

Wood is one of the most important and frequently used materials in the Japanese bathroom: a wooden washstand with an oval washbasin on top creates a sense of naturalness.
A freestanding bath adds an atmospheric and relaxing note.
In terms of colour scheme, opt for beige and natural shades of green.

FAQs

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Japanese bathroom here

How does the Japanese bathroom concept save water?

What is an ofuro in a Japanese bathroom?

Diagram of a reclining person with coloured dots along the back and legs indicating pressure points.

All about your personal spa bathroom

Discover modern bathroom ideas – including cleaning tips and exclusive benefits delivered straight to your inbox.

As a welcome gift, you will also receive a 10% discount on your first order of Dining & Lifestyle products.^[0]

A step closer to your Japanese dream bathroom

Minimalist bathroom with a wooden floor and large windows, a freestanding Loop & Friends bath, a Loop & Friends washbasin, a small bench and a bonsai tree in a pot.

The Japandi bathroom style

Would you like to give your bathroom a Japanese-style makeover? Read our article on the Japandi bathroom and find out how to harmoniously combine Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics.

More about Japandi style

An employee sits at her desk looking at the camera. In the background you can see bathroom planning on the screen

Designing a Japanese-style bathroom with Villeroy & Boch

A Japanese bathroom offers an exceptional pampering experience for all the senses and also incorporates practical functions designed to make life easier. Our bathroom & design experts will advise you on the best solutions for your bathroom.

Expert assistance with your planning

Tableware

Cutlery

Glasses, decanters & bottles

Decoration

Bathroom ceramics

Bathroom furniture and mirrors

Shower trays and baths

Bathroom taps and fittings

Toilet seats and covers

Ceramic sinks

Trends

Bathroom ideas, trends and styles

Planning a Bathroom

Furnishing a Bathroom

Bathroom Hygiene

Bathroom Types

Repairing Bathrooms