Is it really the World’s Largest Toilet? OK, we admit the title is a little misleading, as the toilet is really just a regular-sized porcelain throne (No ladder necessary!). The toilet does, however, sit in a transparent glass cubicle, surrounded by a 200-square-meter (2,153 sq ft) garden. This makes it the largest plot of land used for a single toilet. Ergo: the World's Largest Public Toilet. The loo is a single-seated throne with a light and a wash basin, looking out on a colorful garden of potted plants and cherry, plum and peach trees.

The scenic pot is conveniently located next to the rural Itabi Station in Ichihara City, making it easily accessible to visitors who wish to relieve themselves in the spectacular setting of a spacious Japanese garden. This toilet is meant to be for women only, though there is a unisex toilet nearby that was designed to accommodate people with limited mobility as well. For women who are a little nervous about such public displays, there's a stylish ivory curtain inside the enclosure and a two-meter-high (6'7") fence to fend off Peeping Toms.

The ¥10 million (roughly US$80,000) luxurious loo is the work of Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, who gained global fame with his winning proposal for the (recently suspended) Taiwan Tower. Fujimoto's design philosophy is all about occupying the space between architecture and the natural world. Even though this public restroom is only available to women to keep usage demand in check, the designer would like everyone to be able to enjoy the experience in the future.

Ichihara City is hoping the giant lavatory will be a big tourist draw, bringing lots of visitors to the city from all over Japan. The little-known industrial city doesn’t have many tourist attractions apart from the cherry blossoms in spring, and the hope is this crazy idea might just bring the crowds from Tokyo looking to answer nature's call.