Tokyo Public Toilets Become Art Galleries With Daido Moriyama’s Photography
Japanese pop culture news edited by Patrick Macias
Eleven public toilets in Tokyo’s Shibuya district now showcase photo works by Daido Moriyama
Project is part of THE TOKYO TOILET initiative to change perceptions of public restrooms
Photographs are displayed across 11 locations and will remain through September 23
An art project featuring photographs by acclaimed photographer Daido Moriyama launched on July 19 at various public toilets in Shibuya, redesigned as part of the THE TOKYO TOILET initiative.
Daido Moriyama is one of Japan’s most celebrated photographers, known for his raw, high-contrast black-and-white images that capture the gritty textures of postwar urban life. A key figure in the Provoke movement of the 1960s, his work has been exhibited globally and continues to influence generations of street and documentary photographers.
Transforming Toilets Through Design and Art
The project seeks to transform the public perception of toilets, often seen as dark, dirty, or scary, by using creative design to make them accessible and comfortable for everyone regardless of gender, age, or disability. It began in 2018 with funding and support from Tadashi Yanai of Fast Retailing.
Sixteen prominent designers and architects, including Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma, and NIGO, joined the initiative. By March 2023, 17 toilet locations had been redesigned. These efforts were also highlighted internationally through Wim Wenders’ award-winning film PERFECT DAYS, which was shot at several of the renovated sites.
Moriyama’s Work Bridges Art and Public Space
Moriyama’s photos of the project were first serialized in the magazine SWITCH for three years. In 2021, his work appeared on construction fences at toilet sites in Yoyogi and Sasazuka as part of the Shibuya Art Festival. The photo installations were also exhibited at Milan Design Week in 2022 and at Paris Photo in 2023. This Shibuya exhibition is the third installment.
Each of the 11 locations features a different collage of photos, primarily wrapped around the outer walls, with the layout tailored to highlight each toilet’s unique design. At Jingudori Park, the photos include directions and distances to other participating restrooms. At Hatagaya, photo panels are installed on interior walls and ceilings.
Eleven Locations Across Shibuya Feature Photo Installations
Shibuya mayor Ken Hasebe noted that the city recently assumed maintenance duties from the Nippon Foundation and emphasized the goal of keeping the toilets clean while encouraging public respect and interest. The mayor hopes the photo exhibit sparks wider discussion about how public toilets are used and understood.
Moriyama praised the project, saying it “has changed the very idea of what a toilet can be.” He described the exhibit as “returning images captured in the city back to the city itself.”
The current exhibition spans 11 public toilet sites: Sasazuka Ryokudo, Hatagaya, Shichigo-dori Park, Nishihara 1-chome Park, Haru-no-Ogawa Community park, Yoyogi Fukamachi Park, Jingudori Park, Nabeshima Shoto Park, Ebisu Park, Ebisu East Park, and Hiroo East Park. The exhibition runs through September 23.
amazing that Tokyo is investing more into art and culture, especially someone like Moriyama.