This was originally written in 2003, after I spent over a year in Japan. My apologies if the information is outdated or culturally insensitive. I was in my early 20s at the time and this piece is meant to be light hearted and warm. Japan holds a special place in my heart …

Toilets were not the first thing that came to my mind when I planned my trip to Japan. But I would soon learn that broadening my horizons would include re-learning how to pee.

In Tokyo the pressing issue is so complex that how-to posters are posted at the airport to instruct confused tourists and other uninitiated.

More than one terrified traveller has attempted avoidance instead of voiding.