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Planning a Japanese bathroom
Reading Time: 5 minutes | Article from 12.8.2025
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The Japanese bathroom is a perfect illustration of Japan's special, celebrated bathing culture.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
- 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
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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.
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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.
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