Japanese Toilet Deity Worship Tradition

In Japan, people believe that if the restroom is dirty, their offspring will be ugly. However, if the toilet is clean, they can pray to the deity for their sons to have a distinguished nose and their daughters to have charming dimples.

Japanese Toilet Deity Worship Tradition

One of the remarkable impressions Japan offers to tourists when visiting the Land of the Rising Sun is the bizarre cleanliness of most restrooms. Whether in public restrooms or in eateries, they are all kept immaculately clean, meticulously maintained, and everyone has a sense of preserving them.

According to Japanese folklore, the toilet deity is depicted as a beautiful woman who oversees reproduction. Hence, keeping the restroom clean is considered auspicious, and even previous generations often passed down the saying: 'The restroom is the face of every Japanese family.'

It is also believed that when a pregnant woman diligently cleans the restroom, she will give birth to beautiful children. And if the one cleaning is a young girl, she will surely grow up to be a charming young woman. Therefore, those expecting a child often come to pray to the toilet deity, wishing for their sons to have a distinguished nose and their daughters to have cute dimples.

Belief in Japan: Dirty Restrooms Lead to Unfortunate Children

In the past, Japanese used human waste from restrooms as fertilizer for their fields, hence this deity also oversees the harvest. Many places still uphold the custom of expressing gratitude to the deity after each abundant harvest season. The ritual involves the entire household sitting on a straw mat in front of the restroom. Then everyone eats a piece of rice to show gratitude to the deity for bringing them a good harvest.

Additional Information:

Japan has a temperate climate, with 4 distinct seasons: spring represented by cherry blossoms, summer by lush greenery, autumn by red leaves, and winter by snow.

The country comprises 4 main islands from north to south: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, along with thousands of smaller islands. Most of Japan's islands are mountainous and volcanic, with iconic peaks such as Mount Fuji and Mount Hotaka.

Japan has the world's 10th largest population, estimated at around 128 million people. The Tokyo metropolitan area, including Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest urban area in the world with around 40 million inhabitants.

Direct flights are now available from Vietnam to Japan. Ticket prices range from 10,000,000 dong and up, depending on the airline and time of travel.

In Vietnam, some travel agencies also offer tour packages to the Land of the Rising Sun, with prices around 29,000,000 dong per person.

Source: Vnexpress.net

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour