This is Bill Tsutsui with another Postcard from Asia from the Center for East Asian Studies.

Tourists from all over Japan are flocking to Kōshū in rural Yamanashi Prefecture to visit the historic Tanaka Bank. The structure, built at the turn of the 20th century, has been lovingly restored by a group of preservation-minded local residents. But many tourists seem less interested in the classic architecture and antique fittings than in the building's unique—some would say stunning—period toilets. A urinal in the men's room looks much like a porcelain vase, decorated with an intricate pattern of birds, leaves, and flowers. Such facilities bowl visitors over: a guide reported 80 sightseers taking photos of the urinal during just one shift. In short, toilets can hardly be pooh-poohed as tourist attractions.

With thanks to William Ashworth for this text, from the Center for East Asian Studies, I’m Bill Tsutsui. Wish you were here.