10 Best Tried and True Japanese Toilet Papers in 2022
You use toilet paper every day, so you want to choose one that's comfortable to use. But with a wide variety of products from Japanese manufacturers, it can be hard to figure out just which one is right for you.
Our editors searched Japanese e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping for the best toilet paper available online. We then picked out the 29 most popular products and tested them all.
We tested each of the products for the following:
- Softness and feel
- Durability when wet
- Wiping strength and ease of use
- Cost-effectiveness
We then ranked the 10 best products and put what we learned into a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese toilet paper available online.
Quick List - Top Japanese Toilet Papers
Oji
Best Ultra-Soft Double-Ply Toilet Paper Effective at Wiping
Daio Paper
High Performance, Cost-Effective Single-Ply Toilet Paper
Daio Paper
Best Gentle Yet Durable Double-Ply Toilet Paper for Daily Use
Oji
Strong Single-Ply Toilet Paper With Great Friction and Moisture Resistance
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Table of Contents
- How is Japanese Toilet Paper Different?
- 10 Best Japanese Toilet Papers Ranking
- No. 1Oji | Nepia Premium Soft Double-Ply 30m 12 Rolls
- No. 2Daio Paper | Elleair I:na Single-Ply 100m Floral Scent 12 Rolls
- No. 3Daio Paper | Elleair I:na Double-Ply 50m Floral Scent 12 Rolls
- No. 4Oji | Nepia Long Roll Single-Ply 90m Unscented 8 Rolls
- No. 5Japan Paper Crecia | Kleenex Sistie Double-Ply 40m Happiness Pink 4 Rolls
- 5 more products
- How We Tested the Toilet Papers
- Test ① Does It Feel Soft?
- Test ② Does It Remain Strong When Wet?
- Test ③ How Easy Is It to Use?
- Looking for More Products for Your Toilet?
How is Japanese Toilet Paper Different?
You may think all toilet paper is relatively the same, but even within the US, you may realize that there is a variety of toilet paper that provides different perks and features. While some may be extra soft to cater to babies or those with sensitive skin, others may focus on sturdiness and durability. Japanese toilet papers offer the same features as American toilet paper and a few more that cater to the common needs or preferences of Japanese people.
For example, Japanese toilet paper can often come with visually pleasing floral designs and come with scents to match. These toilet paper types are more common among those who prefer to keep their bathrooms fancy or who like their toilet paper to provide a pleasant fragrance to their bathroom. Some toilet paper even comes printed with cute animals or character designs to tailor to kids, and others will have deodorizing properties.
Otherwise, Japanese toilet paper also commonly focuses on softness and gentleness and can be made in a variety of ways to achieve this, regardless of whether they're single- or double-ply.
How to Choose Japanese Toilet Papers
Here are three essential points to keep in mind when choosing which brand of Japanese toilet paper to purchase.
Decide Whether Single-Ply or Double-Ply Is Better for You
Toilet paper is either single-ply or double-ply. Each has its pros and cons, so choose one based on your needs and preferences.
Single-Ply Is Cheaper
If you are looking for a more cost-effective option, choose single-ply. If you have two rolls from the same manufacturer and brand name at the same price, the only difference is that double-ply is twice as long. The average amount of toilet paper you use isn't too different, though, so a roll of single-ply will generally last longer.
According to a survey, the average usage amount for wiping urine is 35 inches for single-ply and 26 inches for double-ply, and for stool, 70 inches for single-ply, and 57 inches for double-ply.
Double-Ply Is Softer and Provides a More Comfortable Feel
If comfort is important to you, choose double-ply toilet paper, as double-ply toilet paper's absorbency is superior in every way. It is thicker and sturdier, so there is less worry about moisture penetrating the toilet paper and causing a mess.
In addition, due to it being made with two layers of paper, it is much fluffier and feels softer to the touch. Although usually more expensive than single-ply toilet paper, it's recommended for anyone who is seeking a more comfortable experience.
Choose a Toilet Paper Material That Feels Nice on the Skin
Toilet paper comes in contact with sensitive areas, so we recommend choosing ones that are as pleasant to the touch as possible. Here are some points to look out for when selecting the most comfortable options, such as paper quality and processing method.
Look for 100 Percent Pulp for the Softest Texture
There are various types of materials used in making toilet paper, but 100 percent pulp is the best choice if you are looking for the best texture. Since it is made purely from wood with no mixed recycled paper, it is incredibly soft to the touch. Paper labeled as 100 percent virgin pulp, pure pulp, or fresh pulp are all synonymous with 100 percent pulp.
Toilet paper made with recycled paper tends to be less pleasant to the touch. The microfibers are damaged in the process of recycling old paper, resulting in a rougher texture.
For Even Softer Toilet Paper, Look for Embossing
For an even softer feel, we recommend embossed products. Embossing is a process that creates uneven patterns on the surface of the paper. The unevenness acts as a kind of textured cushion, making it plush and softer to the touch. Embossing also increases the surface area of the paper, which improves water absorbency, and makes it more effective at wiping stool.
Added Moisturiziers Make It Gentle on Sensitive Skin
If you're interested in products with added soothing properties, choose toilet paper that contains moisturizing ingredients. They are especially recommended for people who are prone to excessive wiping or have delicate skin. For example, moisturizing ingredients such as squalane or baby oil make for a very smooth feel when wiping.
Look for Larger Rolls to Save Time and Space
The long-roll type, which is one and a half to two times longer per roll than the conventional type, is recommended for large households and those who want to reduce the frequency with which they need to repurchase their toilet paper. With the long-roll type, 12 rolls worth of toilet paper can fit into the same space as eight rolls, saving storage room.
Coreless Types Reduce Waste
If you want to reduce your household trash, we recommend toilet paper that doesn't have cardboard cores. Without a core, there is no waste after use, making it both convenient and environmentally friendly. However, some coreless types require a certain type of roll dispenser. Remember to check whether the coreless toilet paper you're purchasing is suitable for your household's toilet paper holder.
10 Best Japanese Toilet Papers Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oji Nepia Premium Soft Double-Ply 30m 12 Rolls | | Best Ultra-Soft Double-Ply Toilet Paper Effective at Wiping | |
2 | Daio Paper Elleair I:na Single-Ply 100m Floral Scent 12 Rolls | | High Performance, Cost-Effective Single-Ply Toilet Paper | |
3 | Daio Paper Elleair I:na Double-Ply 50m Floral Scent 12 Rolls | | Best Gentle Yet Durable Double-Ply Toilet Paper for Daily Use | |
4 | Oji Nepia Long Roll Single-Ply 90m Unscented 8 Rolls | | Strong Single-Ply Toilet Paper With Great Friction and Moisture Resistance | |
5 | Japan Paper Crecia Kleenex Sistie Double-Ply 40m Happiness Pink 4 Rolls | | Soft and Fluffy Double-Ply Paper With Floral Design and Fragrance | |
6 | Japan Paper Crecia Scottie Flowerpack 3 Times Longer-Lasting Double-Ply 75m 4 Rolls | | Double-Ply Toilet Paper With Good Durability but Mixed Reviews on Texture | |
7 | Daio Paper Elleair Toilet Tissue Compact Single-Ply 90m 8 Rolls | | Soft and Gentle on the Skin Despite Being Single-Ply | |
8 | Japan Paper Crecia Kleenex 60m Single-Ply 12 Rolls | | Durable for Being Single-Ply, but Feels a Bit Too Stiff | |
9 | Oji Nepia Premium Soft Single-Ply 60m 12 Rolls | | Not the Best at Wiping and the Texture Divided Our Evaluators | |
10 | Oji Nepia Nepi Nepi Toilet Paper 25m 12 Rolls | | Thick and Fluffy Toilet Paper With a Quality Feel, but Short Rolls |
Best Ultra-Soft Double-Ply Toilet Paper Effective at Wiping
Oji Nepia Premium Soft double-ply toilet paper received high ratings across the board in all of our tests, being both very soft and effective at wiping. The paper was especially highly rated for its silky feel, firm texture, and its ability to remain in one piece while wiping. It felt comfortable to the touch, so it shouldn't cause any skin irritation even when multiple wipes are necessary.
Note that the one we tested, the soap scented type, is no longer available. However, the unscented one should perform the same. Despite its slightly higher price per use, we recommend this toilet paper most for its effectiveness, comfort, and wiping strength.
Daio PaperElleair I:na Single-Ply 100m Floral Scent 12 Rolls
High Performance, Cost-Effective Single-Ply Toilet Paper
We found Daio Paper's Elleair Ina single-ply toilet paper to be the most cost-effective toilet paper among our selection, with high performance for a relatively low price per use. We especially recommend it for families with small children who tend to use toilet paper excessively while potty training.
While a lot of single-ply toilet paper tends to tear and generate pills as soon as it gets wet, this product did not do that. It did an excellent job staying intact even after several wipes. However, when wiping stool it required multiple wipes, which we found to be a slight drawback.
Daio PaperElleair I:na Double-Ply 50m Floral Scent 12 Rolls
Best Gentle Yet Durable Double-Ply Toilet Paper for Daily Use
Daio Paper's Elleair I:na double-ply toilet paper, much like its single-ply version, provides a gentle and comfortable feel that is both soft and smooth to the touch. It is great for daily use because it does not cause any pain or itchiness when rubbed against the skin.
In particular, its ability to wipe off stool was excellent. Due to its flexibility, it can wipe cleanly with minimal repeats. Another advantage was that it was resistant to friction, so it did not tear even after multiple wipes and does not generate any debris. We found this to be the most cost-effective double-ply toilet paper for daily use.
Oji Nepia Long Roll Single-Ply 90m Unscented 8 Rolls
Strong Single-Ply Toilet Paper With Great Friction and Moisture Resistance
Oji Nepia's Long Roll single-ply toilet paper was highly rated for both its ability to effectively wipe urine and stool, and its resistance to moisture and friction.
This paper was remarkably sturdy, even when it was so wet it became see-through. However, since the paper is smooth and slick, be careful not to scrub your skin with it too hard, or it may irritate.
Japan Paper CreciaKleenex Sistie Double-Ply 40m Happiness Pink 4 Rolls
Soft and Fluffy Double-Ply Paper With Floral Design and Fragrance
Japan Paper Crecia's Kleenex Sistie double-ply toilet paper is a luxury toilet paper with a fluffy and smooth texture that provides easy wiping for both urine and stool. It has a nice floral pattern and a subtle floral fragrance to match.
Many of our testers were pleased by the scent and said they could imagine bathrooms being enhanced by it. We highly recommend this product, especially for a guest bathroom.
Japan Paper CreciaScottie Flowerpack 3 Times Longer-Lasting Double-Ply 75m 4 Rolls
Double-Ply Toilet Paper With Good Durability but Mixed Reviews on Texture
Japan Paper Crecia's Scottie Flowerpack double-ply toilet paper wipes both urine and stool very well. The paper is sturdy and does not tear from moisture or friction.
However, the texture was dry-feeling and produced mixed reviews, with some of our testers describing it as crinkly and others feeling it was too slick.
Daio PaperElleair Toilet Tissue Compact Single-Ply 90m 8 Rolls
Soft and Gentle on the Skin Despite Being Single-Ply
This toilet paper performed well in our tests for softness despite it being only a single-ply roll. It felt smooth and comfortable against skin without any friction or irritation.
It was highly durable and performed adequately when wiping feces as well. One negative is that it isn't very strong when wet, and falls apart, for which we lowered its overall score.
Durable for Being Single-Ply, but Feels a Bit Too Stiff
This toilet paper is fairly stiff and highly absorptive, and some testers commented that it felt like moisture was being sapped from skin when rubbed against it. For being single-ply and very thin, this toilet paper was fairly sturdy and remained so even when wet, for which it was highly rated.
Not the Best at Wiping and the Texture Divided Our Evaluators
Some of our testers thought this single-ply version of one of our favorite products felt gauzy and gentle, but for others it was dry and irritating. You might have to decide for yourself. But we also found it didn't work particularly well at wiping, either for urine or stool, because it was rather thin and weak.
We had trouble finding something that would really make it stand out for a recommendation. Also note that we tested the soap scent, which seems to still be available but has possibly been discontinued. We assume the unscented would perform the same, though.
OjiNepia Nepi Nepi Toilet Paper 25m 12 Rolls
Thick and Fluffy Toilet Paper With a Quality Feel, but Short Rolls
Nepia's Nepi Nepi toilet paper feels high-quality and is soft and pleasant on the skin. It is on the thicker side and is very sturdy so you can be confident that it will not tear during use. In our tests, it remained highly durable even when wet and after wiping multiple times.
The reason it didn't rank higher is that the cost per use is high compared to other products. This might be a deal-breaker if it's for your daily-use bathroom.
How We Tested the Toilet Papers
We searched Japanese e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping for the best toilet paper available online. We then picked out the 29 most popular products and tested them.
We tested each of the products for the following:
- Softness and feel
- Durability when wet
- Wiping strength and ease
Test ① Does It Feel Soft?
First, we tested whether the toilet paper felt soft to the touch. To do this, we simply asked six members of our editorial department to rub the toilet paper against their arms and check how soft it felt.
Test Highlight: Recycled Paper Tended to Be Rougher and Itchier
Toilet paper made from recycled pulp often had a rough, scratchy texture that felt uncomfortable when rubbed on our arms, so it will likely be just as uncomfortable when rubbed against more sensitive skin. Unless you are confident that your skin isn't very sensitive to rougher textures, we recommend using 100 percent pulp toilet paper.
Test ② Does It Remain Strong When Wet?
Next, we tested to see how well each paper could hold up to wiping urine. Assuming that the average amount of toilet paper used per use is about 31.5 inches, we used that amount to try to wipe 1.5 teaspoons of water dripped onto artificial skin. We then wiped until the artificial skin was completely dry or until the toilet paper could no longer absorb water.
Test Highlight: Products That Didn’t Tear or Crumble Were Rated the Highest
Products that did not tear or shed when wet were rated the best. Toilet paper with a firm, smooth texture tended to be more water-resistant than toilet paper with a soft, fluffy texture. Avoid those that tear or disintegrate when wet. Torn toilet paper can leave tiny pills on the skin, which is very uncomfortable and unsanitary. Please check the performance of each toilet paper in our tests in our ranking table.
Test ③ How Easy Is It to Use?
Next, we examined how easy it was to wipe fake stool. Again, assuming that the average amount of toilet paper used per bathroom visit is about 31.5 inches, we used that amount to wipe off a spoonful from artificial skin. First, we checked how easy it was to wipe off the artificial stool and the condition of the toilet paper after the first wipe. Then, we continued until either the artificial skin was spotless or the toilet paper was too dirty to continue to use.
Test Highlight: Embossed Toilet Paper Cleaned the Most Effectively
Toilet papers with embossed surfaces performed well, due to the uneven texture which caught the artificial stool effectively. These products cleaned most of the stool stuck to the artificial skin with only one or two wipes. Since fewer wipes are needed, the burden on the skin caused by friction was also reduced.
We experienced more difficulty with toilet paper that didn't have any embossing. Instead of catching the stool, the stool would merely rub against the artificial skin, causing it to spread around. Further, the skin needed to be wiped repeatedly, which can lead to irritation.
Test ④ Cost-Effectiveness
We wanted to give you a rough estimate of the cost-effectiveness of each product, even though prices will vary if you're buying them from outside of Japan. We used 31.5 inches, the average amount a person uses each time, and checked the prices in April 2019.
Test Highlight: Double-Ply May Cost 2.5 Times More Than Single-Ply
We found an average cost per use of 0.47 yen, or about 0.47 cents, for single-ply, and double-ply was 1.16 yen. That means double-ply will cost you on average two and a half times more. If you scale that up to 100 uses, it's the difference between 47 yen (cents) and 116 yen, or a dollar 16, for double-ply. Since this is a product you'll use daily, you should consider our scores for cost-effectiveness to decide which one suits your needs.
Looking for More Products for Your Toilet?
Make your toilet time clean and comfortable with these other great product upgrades! Check out these articles.
Top 5 Japanese Toilet Papers
No. 1: Oji｜Nepia Premium Soft Double-Ply 30m 12 Rolls
No. 2: Daio Paper｜Elleair I:na Single-Ply 100m Floral Scent 12 Rolls
No. 3: Daio Paper｜Elleair I:na Double-Ply 50m Floral Scent 12 Rolls
No. 4: Oji ｜Nepia Long Roll Single-Ply 90m Unscented 8 Rolls
No. 5: Japan Paper Crecia｜Kleenex Sistie Double-Ply 40m Happiness Pink 4 Rolls
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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