From the side it looks like an object d'art , but from the front it looks like what it is--a public toilet. The doors are between some of the faces (the door to the men's room is next to the bearded faces). A small police station is next door, making this amenity on a Tokyo street corner quite safe.

This park entrance in Kyoto has restrooms. The design blends well with the architecture of the old capital city. Inside are flush toilets, but if the water mains are cut during a natural disaster the sewage can be temporarily stored in an underground tank. (*)

A restroom in Ikenodaira, Nagano Prefecture, 2000 meters above sea level. An environmentally friendly amenity--the sewage water is purified and reused for flushing, and electricity comes from solar panels on the roof. Every summer about 150,000 people come to this tourist spot. (*)

In Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture, one municipal slogan is "Urban planning starts with stylish public toilets." The exterior of this lavatory looks like an old store and residence, so it fits in with the white-walled warehouses on nearby streets. A waiting room and telephone booths are also found inside. There are more than 20 such amenities in different parts of the city, each one boasting a unique design. A map is available to guide you on your own tour of city toilets. (Photo credit: Dept. of Industry, Commerce & Tourism, Kurayoshi City)

If it wasn't for the sign that says "Cavern Privy," you probably wouldn't know there's a toilet here. The design fits right in at Ukankei Gorge, which is famous in Okayama Prefecture for its large boulders and strange rock formations. (*)

The rope noren curtain across the door gives the impression that this is a traditional tavern or pub, but it's really a lavatory. Location: Fukagawa, a quaint district in Tokyo.