Artistic Restroom Completed at Kinashi Station in Takamatsu, Japan; Illustrations, Projections Featured

The Yomiuri Shimbun
A restroom with an illustration of Momotaro painted on a wall in Takamatsu

TAKAMATSU — A unique restroom adorned with projection mapping and illustrations has been completed at JR Kinashi Station in Kinashi, Takamatsu.

Separate from the station building and located on the west side, the restroom was designed to be easily accessible for passengers and others.

The Kagawa prefectural government, which built the restroom, plans to hold a public competition to choose the videos that will be projected on the restroom wall. It hopes that the high-visibility location will “contribute to the development of young artists.”

Previously, the station’s only restroom was a unisex one that lacks flushing toilets located on the platform. Having been in use for over 70 years, it had become dilapidated, leading to complaints that it was “difficult to use.”

As the old restroom is frequented by students of the nearby Kagawa Prefectural Takamatsu Nishi High School, it was the prefectural government which took the initiative of installing the new restroom.

The new restroom is separated by gender and includes a multipurpose room. The south wall, which is about 3 meters square, is adorned with an illustration of a figure holding a sword, inspired by the local legend of Momotaro. The artwork was created by Ico Asagiwa, an illustrator from Tokyo who was selected through a public competition.

Videos are displayed on the west-facing glass wall via projection mapping twice daily at 7:15 p.m. and 8:20 p.m.

On weekends and holidays, a work created by students at Anabuki Design College in Takamatsu is displayed, featuring local specialties and other motifs, among other works.

The Yomiuri Shimbun
A performance of Kagura music and dance is held to celebrate the completion of an artistic restroom in front of a projection mapping display in Takamatsu on March 22.

On March 22, a ceremony was held to mark the restroom’s completion, and a traditional sacred Kagura music and dance performance from the area was held in front of a projection mapping display.

Kagawa Gov. Toyohito Ikeda said, “Since the facility also serves as an ‘art canvas’ in the heart of the city, I hope everyone will make full use of it.”