8 Images

Modern Bidet

The bidet may be a French invention, but in Japan, the deluxe toilet has become an art form. The Japanese brand Toto has a store in West Hollywood where it sells its toilet-bidet combos Neorest 600, left, and 500. Other perks: a heated seat, auto flush and a lid that opens when you approach. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Deluxe toilets such as this one by Toto are gradually becoming must-haves in high-end homes. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Almost any regular toilet can be retrofitted with a combo bidet-toilet seat. Totos version, here, found its way into nearly 70% of Japanese homes, and even onto the Japanese airlines JAL and ANA. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

A sleek remote control. Toto and its American competitor Brondell use a double-wand, twin-nozzle system in their toilet-bidets for male and female use. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Another remote control, for the toilet that really does everything for you well, all but one thing. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

This control pad is on the side of the toilet-bidet. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Totos showroom in West Hollywood. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

At the West Hollywood store, Toto employees aim to convert Americans to the way of the bidet. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)