I remember the first time I was in a house that had a urinal. It was a complete reset of what I thought I wanted for my life.
But that was before I visited Japan, where all the bathrooms are on a different level. Just about every toilet in Japan has at least a bidet and an array of buttons to control various settings.
And they are on a higher level of cleanliness.
This toilet from the Park Hyatt Tokyo isn’t a portal to another dimension, but it is out of this world!
If you grew up in America you probably don’t think twice about our public toilets. Sure you’ve noticed how dirty they can get, but when you’re sitting on the throne you generally don’t have much privacy. It’s crazy. The only doors in America that when closed leave a half inch crack for anyone to peak through are bathroom stall doors!
Japan takes privacy and hygiene seriously. People often wear face masks not just to avoid getting sick, but so they won’t get anyone else sick. You don’t have to touch taxi doors, they open and close automatically. And some of the toilet lids, as was the case at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, will open or close without you having to touch them.
I came across this toilet, in a McDonald’s, that had a built-in white noise feature. The noise you’re hearing in the video isn’t static, it’s a running water sound designed to mask potentially embarrassing noises.
This magical music machine also had a “Power Deodorizer” button, in addition to the full array of bidet settings. The worst toilets in Japan would be the best toilets anywhere else in the world
The Rest of the Park Hyatt Tokyo Wasn’t Too Shabby Either!
I admit, I spent an unhealthy amount of time in the bathroom fiddling with the toilet.
But the rest of the hotel was great as well. My wife, Jess, is a Hyatt Globalist elite. So we were upgraded to a suite. The room was huge, with a hallway with multiple closets, and a large bathroom with double sinks, and a soaking tub.
There was also a separate dining & living room. The suite was big by any standards, but it was gigantic compared to how cramped Tokyo accommodations can be.
The hotel is also in a great location. They provide a complimentary shuttle to and from Shinjuku station. But if you miss the ride, it’s only a ~10 minute walk.
Hyatt Has the Best Elite Status Benefits – Hands Down!
Hyatt Globalist elite members are entitled to free lounge access. But when the hotel doesn’t have a lounge you’ll get free breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, which sometimes includes free room service for breakfast! The Park Hyatt Tokyo just happens to be one of those locations
The Park Hyatt also has complimentary evening cocktails and snacks for Globalist elites at The Peak Bar.
I’m Visiting Tokyo, Should I Use My Hyatt Points Here?
There are 5 Hyatt hotels in Tokyo and the Park Hyatt Tokyo generally is the most expensive. So in that sense you’ll probably be getting a good “value” of 2 cents to 3 cents per point, even though it’s 30,000 Hyatt points for a free night.
I really liked the hotel’s location. It is close to the Shinkjuku and Shibuya areas, and there is no shortage of fun stuff to do. You could spend your entire trip to Tokyo in just 1 of those neighborhoods and never get bored.
But if you don’t have any Hyatt elite status perks to take advantage of, you might be better off using your Hyatt points to stay at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo instead. It’s 12,000 Hyatt points per award night, and on the few dates I checked, it looked like you’d be getting a similar value per point. Plus, it’s only a ~10 minute walk from the Park Hyatt Tokyo. So you’ll be saving lots of points and you’ll still be able to visit the Park Hyatt Tokyo’s famous New York Bar. Just be sure to follow the dress code or you won’t be allowed in.
Bottom Line
On your next (or first) visit to Japan, please slow down and enjoy the little things, like the toilets!
And if you’re planning a stay in Tokyo, you won’t be disappointed by the Park Hyatt Tokyo. Although you might be just as happy saving points (or cash) at a cheaper hotel.
Have you visited Japan before? If so, what was the craziest thing you saw?
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