More on Japan.

As we have travelled further afield, people have asked us "What is the best country you've been to?" My answer is always Japan, with good reason.

I heard along the way that Japan has only ever received a Nobel Prize once. This is actually incorrect as Wikipedia states that Japan have won Nobel Prizes on 16 occasions, but it does raise an interesting point. Considering that Germany have won over 100 Nobel Prizes, why haven't Japan, commonly thought of as being the most advanced country in the world, won more?

Well my take on it is this: Japanese people don't invent, they improve. For instance, let's have a look at a common sight in India (9 time Nobel Prize winner):

Believe it or not, that is in fact a lavatory. The jacks, john, loo, bog, restroom, toilet or shitter, whatever you decide to call it, it shouldn't look like that.

Here's the same thing, but post Japanese improvement:

Ok so it doesn't look all that impressive, but the addition of a sink built right into the cistern is a useful feature nonetheless. That's not the only improvement though . . .

So what have we here? It looks as though there it an arm rest of sorts, containing an LCD display and some options. But wait! What's that in the back? The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed an electrical cable plugged into a wall socket. "What does that do?" I hear you ask. Well, during the night and first thing in the morning, toilet seats can be quite cold. That plug you can see, well that keeps the seat toasty warm for your sensitive bum, all day long!

As awesome as that is, and I can talk, my bum was perched on many a heated Japanese toilet seat, that's not all. Have a look at THIS:

What in the name of all that is sacred is THIS?! This panel was mounted to the wall beside the turd pond. It contains all sorts of options, some of which were lost in translation, but here's Francisco with his explanation:

"It's clear, wet your boobs a bit, a lot, spray your arse and then bacon!"

I agree entirely Spaniard. I can't confirm if this is actually true or not, as we were too scared to try any of the buttons while on the porcelain throne.

So there you have it, Japan's take on the humble bog. Here are a few other examples of randomly improved or modified things we found in Japan:

So there you have it, from 3D video games to strawberries and cream sandwiches, Japan has it all.

Japan, I love you.