I was impressed with the Japanese bidet type toilet seats on my recent trip. While I don't think I need one that makes waterfall noises or plays music or even one that is heated, it would be nice to have one that provided the bidet function.

Are they available in the US and are they hard to get installed.

Any FTers have one at home?

What city do you live in? I know plenty of plumbing stores that carry them.

They are not cheap

What city do you live in? I know plenty of plumbing stores that carry them.

They are not cheap

Not just that, they're about 2x the price of the equivalent (and identical) Japanese model. I know this because I'm in the process of renovating my US apartment and I've been pricing them for that. My first guess is that there's some anti-dumping tariff being applied by the US Commerce Dept. Kaching, rim-shot!

They are readily available at several stores in the Los Angeles/Orange County area. We ended up buying our Toto Washlet online. You can also find them on eBay. IIRC, prices start around $250-$300, and go up to $600-$700. You can also find them on eBay.

Installation is relatively easy. The plumbing is very simple -- just disconnect the supply line, insert a "T" connection, and reconnect. For the electrical, you'll need to install an outlet near the toilet.

While you're at it, how about a deep, but compact ofuro? That's my little dream.

While you're at it, how about a deep, but compact ofuro? That's my little dream.

I'll send you mine.........if can you send me a jacuzzi tub instead!

Washlets are much less expensive than Neorests.

Both are so much more civilized than the 'traditional' japanese option

The American subsidiary of Japanese toilet manufacturer TOTO has a website (http://www.totousa.com/index.asp) where you can find some dealers.

Unfortunately I don't have one myself but fell in love with them (wouldn't never thought I'd have feelings for a toilet ;)) during my seven month stay in Japan. I would've seriously loved to have one installed in my bathroom back here in the US! :D

It took a couple times for me to get use to it (imagine this: "hmm... let's see what THIS button does....) but I liked it after a day.

For the electrical, you'll need to install an outlet near the toilet.

This one requirement is really what stops me from buying one. It's not often that you'll find U.S. bathrooms with electrical outlets next to the toilets. Which then means you'll either have to hire an electrician to install one or you run some ugly extension cord from near the sink then around the baseboard.

Yup, I see these toilet seats for sale everytime I'm at the Mitsuwa grocery in Los Angeles / Orange County

LOL, when I saw the thread title I thought it was referring to the squatting (i.e. hole-in-the-floor) toilets!

Thanks for the all the info. Looking into the installation, apparently, you need a grounded electical outlet within three feet of the toilet to plug in the seat. And, I am told that the local code prohibits installing electrical outlets near a water source, especially close to the floor, that is, it might be okay to put one up on the wall, but not in the usual floor location. Indeed, my almost new house has only two plugs in the master bathroom, both above the sink counter for razors, hairdryers etc. Why didn't the electrician think about Japanese toilet seats when he was putting in the outlets? :p

I had a TOTO washlet installed earlier this year, and it's one of the best things I've done. Especially nice to have a warm, heated seat on a cold winter morning. I also seem to have far more visitors than before, and some seem to remain in the bathroom longer than is biologically necessary.

All that aside, I would be very surprised if your local code prohibits grounded electric outlets (those are the ones with the "test" and "reset" buttons) near water sources. Also, while the cord is indeed only 3' long, I see no reason why you cannot use an appropriate extension cord.

Just an idea. Instead of installing the outlet right behind the toilet, an easier installation may be to install the outlet inside an adjacent vanity if you have one. Then you run the cord from the washlet into the vanity and use an extension inside if necessary. This eliminates any cosmetic fixes to the exposed wall depending where you need to bring the elec from.

A straight drop from the the over counter outlet shouldn't be that difficult.

Just bought a TOTO Neorest 6000. I LOVE IT. Easy installation. Just replaced my old toilet and plugged in like any normal electrical device. No new wiring or plumbing required. Heated seat, bidet functions, auto flush, auto cover. Tis excellent. Also found it relatively cheap (list is around $5k, I bought it for $3k) at an online plumbing store. Great because it replaces your toilet rather than adding on to it.

How far is your new toilet from the electrical outlet? Three feet, more?

I was checking my house and I would probably have to have an outlet installed. I'm guessing that that won't be cheap.

I purchased a Brondell a couple of years ago directly from the company when they first went into business. It is a TOTO wannabe with all the feature sets and functions of the more expensive ones, but at least when I checked into them they were cheaper.

I have been happy with mine and agree - great investment.

http://www.brondell.com

Disclaimer: While I live in SF close to their hdqtrs and used to know the CEO, I have no connection to the company (other than my tush sitting on their seats).

All that aside, I would be very surprised if your local code prohibits grounded electric outlets (those are the ones with the "test" and "reset" buttons) near water sources.

Just a technical clarification: the third contact on any three-prong outlet is "grounded." The sort of outlet that you describe is additionally protected by a "ground fault circuit interrupter" (GFCI) that trips when the return path for the electrical current is not back through the outlet.

While you're at it, how about a deep, but compact ofuro? That's my little dream.

These are available in the US: Link (http://bathtub.at-house.com/bt01.htm)