Shibuya’s Public Toilets Are Architectural Masterpieces—Your House Isn’t

Ulana Switucha

Public toilets can reveal a lot about a country’s values, and Tokyo’s Shibuya district offers a striking example.

Designed by renowned architects like Shigeru Ban and Fumihiko Maki, 17 toilets were built in 2019 as symbols of Japan’s hospitality, later captured in photographs by Ulana Switucha, who calls them “works of art.” These facilities are meticulously maintained with daily, monthly, and annual cleaning routines, plus regular inspections by third-party consultants. Their upkeep reflects a commitment not just to hygiene, but to public design as a form of cultural and artistic expression.

h/t: flashbak, worldphoto

Ulana Switucha