Why Do Japanese People Sit on the Toilet Facing Forward?

Have you ever heard the claim that Japanese people “sit on the toilet facing forward”? If so, you’re not alone. This is one of those travel myths that seems too peculiar to be false. However, the truth is far simpler. The misconception primarily arises from traditional Japanese-style squat toilets, which differ greatly from the modern seated toilets commonly used in Japan today. Those older fixtures are designed to be used while facing the raised front section, which can give the impression, from an outside perspective, that people are using the toilet “backwards.”