As part of the “THE TOKYO TOILET” initiative, renowned Japanese designer Kashiwa Sato crafted the spatial design for a new restroom located outside the west entrance of Ebisu Station in Shibuya Ward. He also designed the icons used throughout all restrooms in the project. Ebisu Station serves as a major transfer hub for East Japan Railway and subway lines. Its western exit hosts the bus terminal and taxi stand, making it a bustling spot with heavy foot traffic and a popular meeting place.
This public restroom was conceived as a distinctive landmark near the exit. It brings a bright, fresh atmosphere to the area without drawing excessive attention from daily commuters.
The design of the “Pure White Toilet” embodies cleanliness and order, integrating all elements into a unified white palette. The square structure houses four individual toilet stalls and is constructed with white aluminum louvers. This design imparts a sense of lightness and promotes natural ventilation.
By balancing visibility and privacy, the restroom ensures safety both inside and outside while maintaining user discretion.
The Tokyo Public Toilet Project aims to contribute to a cleaner, safer, more harmonious, and diverse society. Guided by these principles, Kashiwa Sato designed this public restroom as a landmark that respects the inherent standards of public facilities while introducing a fresh lifestyle concept.
Initiated by the non-profit Nippon Foundation, the project emphasizes the importance of toilets within Japan’s celebrated “omotenashi” culture of honesty and hospitality. Unfortunately, many public restrooms remain underutilized due to issues such as poor lighting, uncleanliness, unpleasant odors, and safety concerns.
In collaboration with Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, this project focuses on building attractive, accessible restroom facilities throughout the area. The goal is to ensure everyone—regardless of age, gender, or disability—can use these restrooms comfortably.
Across 17 planned locations, each restroom is uniquely designed by one of 16 world-renowned architects and designers. This innovative approach has garnered significant attention for addressing social challenges related to public restroom use today.
Project Drawings
△ Plan View
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: SAMURAI
Area: 39 square meters
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Satoshi Nagare
Creative Director: Kashiwa Sato
Architectural Design: SAMURAI, Yoshihiro Saito
Art Director: Ko Ishikawa
Architectural Design & Construction: Daiwa House Industry
Client: The Nippon Foundation
Lighting Design: Daiko Electric
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