JAPAN IN
ONE MINUTE 
~ Why Japanese Toilets Make Noise: Meet Otohime, the Sound Princess ~
Japanese toilets are really full of features!
It must feel like being a king or queen when you use one!
Actually, there’s another amazing feature, “the sound function”.
It’s not usually found in toilets at home, but when you use the restroom in a public facility.
You might feel a bit self-conscious about the sounds you make,
especially when someone is using the stall next to you, right?
That function is called Otohime, which literally means “Sound Princess”.
What kind of sound can you hear when you use that feature?
Is it Kimigayo or something?
Haha, the national anthem doesn’t play in the toilet!
When activated, either automatically or by pressing a button,
it plays the sound of running water or birds chirping to mask any other sounds.
Even if you’re in a quiet place, you don’t have to worry about others hearing anything.
Actually, Otohime is actually a product name from a Japanese company,
but similar privacy sound functions are now installed in many places under different names.
Japanese toilets are really amazing!
Mine doesn’t have a sound function, so maybe I’ll just hum a little tune myself!
Haha, that sounds nice!
Summary
Some Japanese public toilets feature a function called Otohime (the sound function), which plays water or nature sounds to mask bathroom noises and protect privacy. It helps users feel more comfortable, especially in quiet places.
