Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2010

Holy crap! Renowned toilet manufacturer TOTO has transformed its Shinjuku showroom into an exhibition space devoted to one of mankind’s most welcome inventions. Chronicling the evolution of toilets from the primitive bowls of the Meiji era to the current heated-buttocks heyday, the show details innovations in design, technology and environmental efforts. TOTO created the display to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Tokyo showroom, and if you want to get a handle on the history of Japanese-style waste-disposal efforts, get there quick: the whole thing gets flushed on February 7.

Admission: free. 26 & 27F Shinjuku L Tower, 1-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Open 10am-5pm. Tel: 03-3345-1010. Nearest station: Shinjuku, west exit.