Do you have a conventional toilet and dream of the comfort of a Japanese toilet? Good news: in most cases, you can replace your toilet with a Japanese toilet without redoing the entire room. Here are the steps, what to check before buying, and the pitfalls to avoid.

Step 1: Identify your current toilet

It all starts here. Look at your installation:

• Floor-mounted toilet: the bowl rests on the floor. This is the most common case.
• Wall-hung toilet: the bowl is fixed to the wall, without a base, with a concealed support frame inside a built-in enclosure.

The easiest option is to keep the same type: a floor-mounted Japanese toilet in place of a floor-mounted toilet, or a wall-hung toilet on your existing support frame. The Sora, for example, is compatible with already installed Geberit Duofix and Kombifix support frames.

Step 2: Check the waste pipe

This is the point that causes the most problems. There are two types of waste pipe:

• Horizontal waste pipe (wall-mounted): the pipe comes out of the wall, behind the toilet.
• Vertical waste pipe (floor-mounted): the pipe comes out of the floor, under the bowl.

Check on the technical sheet that the chosen model matches your waste pipe, or that a suitable adapter exists. Also measure the distance between the wall and the center of the waste pipe: this determines whether the toilet can be flush against the wall.

Step 3: Measure the available space

A Japanese toilet is often slightly longer than a conventional toilet, as it incorporates the electronics and the tank. Measure:

• the available depth between the wall and the door (the door must be able to open);
• the width, especially in narrow toilet rooms;
• the height, if you have a hand basin or a shelf above.

For example, the Hikari measures 680 × 400 × 450 mm and the Kaku 660 × 415 × 465 mm. To learn more, read our guide on how to choose the right dimensions for your Japanese toilet.

Step 4: Plan for water and electricity

A Japanese toilet needs two things in addition to a conventional toilet:

• A water supply with a shut-off valve, like your current toilet.
• A 220 V grounded electrical outlet nearby. This is often what is missing in toilet rooms. We explain everything in our article do you need an electrical outlet for a Japanese toilet?

Step 5: Remove the old toilet and install the new one

1. Turn off the water and empty the tank by flushing.
2. Disconnect the water supply, unscrew the bowl, and remove it.
3. Clean the floor and the old seal, then temporarily plug the waste pipe with a cloth to prevent odors.
4. Install the waste pipe adapter and position the new toilet.
5. Secure it and connect the water supply.
6. Turn the water back on and check for leaks, then plug in the outlet and test all functions.

The details can be found in our installation guide. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, a plumber can install it quickly.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Buying without measuring the waste pipe and the available depth.
• Forgetting the electrical outlet, and ending up with an extension cord in the toilet room (which should be avoided).
• Connecting without checking for leaks: check the connections before turning on the power.
• Neglecting the waste pipe seal: a poorly installed seal causes odors and leaks.
• Choosing a model without after-sales service in France: if there is a problem, you will be on your own.

The right time to take the plunge

Replacing your toilet with a Japanese toilet is one of the most cost-effective comfort upgrades for a bathroom: half a day of work, and a real change in everyday life. Discover our Nelsmann Japanese toilets, delivered free from our stock in France. Any doubts about compatibility? Send a photo of your installation to our customer service.