Why be normal, when the weird stuff is way more interesting?
We all spend time on the toilet, but have you ever thought about the world’s weirdest toilets? Across history and around the globe, there have been some truly bizarre, luxurious, and downright ridiculous ways to answer nature’s call. From golden thrones to high-tech marvels, these toilets are anything but ordinary. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of the weirdest toilets you’ll ever hear about.
1. The Ancient Roman Community Toilet: The OG Public Restroom
In ancient Rome, privacy was not exactly a top priority when it came to bathroom time. Imagine this: long, marble benches with several circular holes, and no partitions between them. These public toilets, or latrines, were often located in bustling city centers. Romans would sit side by side, carry on conversations, and go about their business while making direct eye contact with their fellow citizens.
Not only were the seats communal, but so was the toilet paper! Instead of individual sheets, Romans used a “tersorium”, a sponge on a stick that was rinsed in water (hopefully) between uses. These latrines were a place for socializing as much as they were for relieving oneself—kind of like the world’s first social bathroom experience!
2. The Golden Toilet of Hong Kong: A Throne Fit for a King
If you’ve ever wondered what true luxury feels like, just picture sitting on a toilet made entirely of gold. Yes, you read that right. At the Hang Fung Gold Technology Group in Hong Kong, there is a bathroom fitted with a solid 24-karat gold toilet. The walls, sinks, toilet paper holders, and even the tiles are made of gold, making this possibly the world’s most extravagant place to take a dump.
This golden restroom is part of the Hall of Gold, an exhibition designed to show off wealth in the most literal way possible. It’s estimated that the golden toilet alone is worth over $5 million. So, if you ever find yourself using it, just make sure you don’t drop your phone!
3. Japan’s High-Tech Wonders: More Than Just a Toilet
Leave it to Japan to take the humble toilet and transform it into a high-tech wonder. Japanese toilets are famous for their long list of functions that go far beyond flushing. These washlets, as they’re called, come with heated seats, bidets with customizable water pressure and temperature, and even built-in sound systems that play music or white noise to cover up any embarrassing sounds.
But the features don’t stop there. Many Japanese toilets also have automated lids that open and close when you approach, as well as air dryers, deodorizers, and even lights to guide you in the dark. It’s a full bathroom experience that’s so high-tech, you may never want to leave the seat.
Oh, and let’s not forget the Toto Neorest NX2, the Rolls-Royce of toilets. It comes with an automatic air freshener, built-in bidet, and a remote control, all for the modest price of around $17,000. Not bad for a toilet that practically does everything for you!
4. The See-Through Toilet of Switzerland: The Ultimate Test of Confidence
If you’ve ever felt uneasy using a public restroom, then the see-through toilet in Basel, Switzerland, is your ultimate nightmare—or maybe your ultimate thrill. This public toilet is made from one-way mirrors, so from the inside, you can see out, but no one can see in. However, it still feels like everyone outside is watching you do your business.
This modern architectural marvel was designed as an art installation to challenge your sense of privacy and public space. Do you trust the technology enough to sit down, knowing that passersby are mere inches away? Using this toilet is not for the faint of heart, but it makes for a great story!
5. The NASA Space Toilet: A $23 Million Solution to a $1 Problem
When astronauts head to space, they leave behind a lot of things—including the convenience of gravity. That makes something as simple as going to the bathroom a monumental challenge. Enter the NASA space toilet, one of the most expensive toilets in history.
Space toilets use vacuum technology to suck waste away, preventing it from floating around in zero gravity (which would be a very messy disaster). The original design was notoriously difficult to use, but NASA recently developed a new system that cost a whopping $23 million. It’s specifically designed for use on the International Space Station and even has a funnel-shaped attachment to make peeing in space a little more convenient.
So, the next time you’re frustrated with a public restroom, just be thankful you’re not navigating a $23 million toilet while floating in space.
6. The World’s Longest Public Urinal: No Lines, Just Relief
Waiting in line for a public restroom is a universal frustration, but if you’re ever in the Netherlands, you can skip the wait at the world’s longest public urinal. Located in Kampen, this stainless steel masterpiece stretches over 100 feet long and can accommodate dozens of people at once.
While it’s not the most private setup, it’s perfect for festivals or crowded events where bathroom lines get out of control. And let’s face it—there’s something oddly satisfying about the efficiency of such a design. No need to wait your turn, just walk up, and get down to business!
7. The Ice Toilet of Antarctica: Freezing Your Butt Off
For scientists living in remote stations in Antarctica, even the simplest things become complicated—including going to the bathroom. Since plumbing systems can’t withstand the sub-zero temperatures, many Antarctic expeditions rely on ice toilets. These are basically large buckets with ice and snow that help freeze and neutralize waste.
Once the bucket is full, the waste is carefully disposed of in a way that minimizes environmental impact. It may not be glamorous, but these icy thrones are a necessity in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Just don’t sit for too long, or you might find yourself stuck!
Final Thoughts: Taking Toilets to a New Level
Who knew the World’s weirdest toilets could be so interesting? From ancient Roman communal latrines to golden thrones and space-age vacuum toilets, our bathroom habits have evolved in some wild and wonderful ways. The next time you’re sitting down for a break, remember—you could be sitting on World’s weirdest toilets of solid gold or peeing in space!
One thing is for sure: no matter where we are or what technology we use, answering nature’s call will always be a universal, if not slightly weird, part of life.
