Compared across countries
Are public toilets free?
For a trip that crosses borders — the same question, answered country by country.
The pattern
Free in all four, and stations are the reliable place to look. The paper is what differs: China says bring your own, Taiwan says flush it, and the bin beside the bowl does not mean the same thing in each.
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Japan
Free, everywhere, and clean. Stations, parks, convenience stores and department stores all have one.
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China
Free and common — on the street, in malls, offices, supermarkets and fast food places. Carry your own paper.
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South Korea
Free and easy to find. Every subway station has one, and cafés and department stores are relaxed about it.
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Taiwan
Free and easy to find — every metro station has one, and staff will let you cross the fare gates to reach it without paying again. The local twist is the paper: toilet paper goes in the bowl, and the bin beside you is for the paper that does not.
Japan
China
South Korea
Taiwan