Job Discussion Forums

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: in all seriousness....

I will go home for a visit to the States soon and I asked my Father if he wanted anything from Japan. He asked for the usual bath tablets (any good recommendations??), osembe crackers, and a TOTO WASHLET. No joke! I thought I couldn't hear correctly, but he seriously asked me if I could bring one home....so after I recovered from shock, I found out that Costco sells them. My question is: Would it even work in the States? I'd prolly have to get some one to put it in, but my Father really fell in love with the whole washlet thing a while ago and they haven't arrived in the States yet.... yes the whole idea is crazy I know.... Laughing

sallycat · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 303 Location: behind you. BOO!

there are advertisements for toyo washlets in new york now...

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject:

Wow!!! They haven't reached the South yet.....

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

do you mean the toilets that clean you? My dad wanted one of those to, but my mom says that you can buy them in the states...and they are like $200 here...kind of expensive..I wonder if they would work there to...
We are going back to Louisiana next week...maybe we will see you?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

I can see only 2 main factors that would prevent a washlet from working in the U.S.

1. There MAY be an issue with voltage. Japan is 100, U.S. is about 115. It may work just fine, but you could possibly be overpowering the system.

2. The plumbing in Japan likely uses metric fittings... Imperial in N. America. You can probably get metric/imperial conversion kits, but that will be something you'll likely have to deal with.

In all seriousness, it may be easier to get one IN the U.S. They do sell them there now. Another option might be to send an e-mail to TOTO asking them whether a Japanese washlet can work in the U.S. properly.

Good luck!

P.S. (Self-edit) upon re-reading the comments in the thread -- as it has been pointed out, they are available but cost $200 in the U.S. Well, they cost AT LEAST that in Japan too. I have two in my house -- one for each bathroom, so as someone who has shopped for them, I can confirm that a lower-end model will run you around 2-man yen. The super-deluxe models that blow-dry your bum and have remote controls that rival even the most modern HD TVs will cost you over 4-man yen easily.

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the advice!! Much appreciated Very Happy