Japan is widely recognized for having the world's cleanest and most high-tech bathrooms, known for features like bidets, heated seats, and self-cleaning functions, but Singapore, Germany, Sweden, and South Korea are also praised for excellent public restroom hygiene, with Costa Rica receiving recent acclaim for consistently clean facilities.
When it comes to sparkling clean toilets that practically invite you in, there's one country that consistently gets rave reviews: Japan. Famous for its high-tech, impeccably maintained restrooms, Japan has set the global bar for cleanliness and comfort.
Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan and other countries will use a small shower for rinsing off after you do your business. Most of these cultures believe that you can get your bum cleaner with water than you can with toilet paper which is why they chose that option.
It's built into daily life. Public toilets are cleaned constantly, and even the design of the space helps keep things neat. There are bins everywhere, signs to guide you, and tools (like toilet seat cleaners or sanitising sprays) that encourage people to clean up after themselves.
Here are the top 10 cleanest countries in the world:
The "Japan 5-minute rule" refers to extreme punctuality, meaning you should arrive 5-10 minutes before a scheduled time, as being exactly on time is considered late, demonstrating respect and reliability, a concept sometimes called "5-minute prior action" (５分前行動). It highlights Japanese culture's emphasis on preparedness, where trains are so precise that delays over 5 minutes get official notes, making being early a crucial part of business and social etiquette.
Copenhagen, Denmark: The cleanest city on the planet
Currently, the energy mix exceeds 30%, and it is expected to achieve energy independence by 2050. Notable features: Bicycle implementation: Copenhagen has 700,000 bicycles. 62% of its citizens use them.
The Japanese 80% rule, known as "Hara Hachi Bu", is a Confucian principle advising people to stop eating when they feel about 80% full, not completely stuffed, to support health and longevity. This practice encourages mindful eating, helps prevent overeating, and is linked to lower rates of illness and longer lifespans, particularly observed in Okinawan centenarians. It involves slowing down during meals, listening to your body's fullness cues, and appreciating food as fuel rather than indulging to the point of discomfort.
"If (someone) has a bowel movement and it's so clean and well-formed that it doesn't leave any residue and just sinks, that is actually a very healthy bowel movement," says De Latour.
In many Amish homes, rags are a common toilet paper alternative. These rags are typically old clothes that have been worn out. After simple processing, they become practical cleaning tools.
If you feel better with a daily showering routine, go for it. If you would rather skip some days, that's OK, but never go more than two or three days without washing your body with soap.
The problem is, toilets cost money. The British Toilet Association estimates they cost anywhere between £3,000 and £5,000 each year to run – and some cost up to £30,000 if they are larger. “The biggest problem is getting them clean and getting them hygienically clean,” Martin adds.
I was wondering about the origin of using the terms "number one" and "number two" for going to the bathroom (for those unaware, number one is urinating, number two is defecating, at least in the US). I have used it several times myself without actually thinking about it and heard plenty of others use it as well.
San Bernardino, California, ranks as the dirtiest city in the U.S. according to LawnStarter's 2025 report. Several other San Bernardino County cities, including Ontario, Fontana, Victorville, Rancho Cucamonga, and Apple Valley, also ranked poorly.
Top 10 Best Countries to Live in 2025
New York City - #1
New York City, often referred to as the "financial capital of the world," leads the list as the richest city in 2024. With over 340,000 HNWIs and total private wealth exceeding $3 trillion, NYC is home to Wall Street, luxury real estate markets, and global corporate headquarters.
The "3 Date Rule" in Japan refers to the cultural tendency to make a formal love confession (kokuhaku) on or around the third date, marking the transition from casual dating to an official couple, often after building trust with lighter activities like meals or walks, and it's considered a crucial step for clarifying relationship status before deeper intimacy, though it's a guideline, not a strict law.
Thanks to a historically weak yen, the U.S. dollar goes quite far in Japan, making food, local transport, and cultural sites surprisingly affordable, though high-end hotels and bullet trains still cost significantly in dollar terms; expect about 155-156 yen per dollar, allowing for cheap convenience store snacks, budget ramen for around $10, and museum entries under $5, making it a great value trip for U.S. travelers.
1/ Denmark
In 2020 Denmark had the highest level of environmental performance worldwide with an EPI value of 82.5. This is partly due to its progressive government and consistent commitments to the environment and society. No wonder Denmark made it to our list of greenest countries in the world.
Denmark has repeatedly ranked at the top. The nation is renowned for its stringently implemented climate policies, extensive recycling networks, and high investments in sustainable energy sources such as wind power. Its city centres are carefully planned to promote cycling and walking, thus lowering car emissions.