TOTO is a Japanese owned company that specializes in creating bathroom accessories and toilet products. It is known worldwide for developing the most innovative and stylish toilet and wash basin combinations available on the market. It has branches in nine other countries worldwide.
The toto brand is sometimes incorrectly spelled to TOHO. Some sources indicate that it means “top-toilet,” while others spell it differently. Either way, this brand of Japanese toilet is considered the industry standard by most professionals in the industry. The company first gained global recognition when its subsidiary, Toto Ltd., was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Since then, TOTO has grown to become the world’s top manufacturer of designer washlets and other bathroom accessories. In fact, many international travelers advise their guests to bring a toto to Japan, due to its superior quality and standard construction.
Many top corporations in the United States and Europe have had their products copyrighted by TOTO. Because of this, it is not possible to legally import or sell TOTO products to the United States or other western countries, such as Canada. In addition to their trademarked names, they also have a second name that they use, which is “TOHO.” This is used to indicate the generic nature of the products, which is an unfair advantage given to TOTO. This reason, along with the superior quality of their products, has caused many customers to switch to using Japanese made toilet and bathroom accessories whenever possible.
One of the most popular toilet accessories that TOTO creates is a traditional Japanese toilet, or tokien toilet. These traditional Japanese toilets are designed to function as both a toilet and steam system. A traditional tokien toilet has a lid that opens up and flushes the contents through a series of drains, which are located all around the rim of the toilet.
The tokien style toilet is attached to a seat that attaches to the toilet paper holder that is placed on the counter prior to use. To use the seat, one must place the seat into the water chamber, which pushes back the seat and flaps the open-ended toilet paper into the drain. The user then can place his or her hand inside the toilet and pull down on the handle of the seat, releasing the water, flushing the toilet paper, and removing the toilet paper from the seat. The toilet paper does not need to be held for several minutes because the process automatically flushes the toilet every time.
Another accessory that TOTO creates is an integrated toilet seat and lid, which makes it convenient to prepare for a trip to the bathroom or sanitizing the room after a long day at work. Integrated toilet seats and lids attach to the toilet and the lid, which allows the toilet seat to be removed without disturbing the rest of the household. They are easy to clean since they have special channels that allow soap to run down the seat, preventing it from splashing against other fixtures and furniture in the room. Integrated toilet seats and lids are sold separately and are available in different colors and designs to match the interior decor of any home.