This topic is about a traveler who successfully completed a two-week hiking and cultural tour of Japan while managing an ileostomy. The experience was positive, with no major difficulties encountered. Here are some helpful insights and advice from the journey:

1. Air Travel: The traveler brought a small cup to pour water into the aircraft toilet if needed but found that lining the bowl with toilet paper worked just fine.

2. Arrival in Japan: They discovered "ostomy toilets" in airports and many public places, even in remote areas. These facilities are spacious, at waist height, and come equipped with a mirror, taps, soap, and shelving for supplies.

3. Hiking and Accommodation: The trails were well-maintained, and the stays in ryokans, which are traditional guesthouses, were restful. Due to potential issues with tattoos or stomas in communal baths, they chose to book private onsens instead.

4. Overall Impressions: Public toilets were clean and plentiful. The food, culture, temples, guides, and fellow travelers all contributed to a positive experience. Photos of ostomy toilets and their signage were shared to illustrate the facilities.

Additional insights from other travelers include:

- Japanese public toilets, including those at truck stops, are exceptionally clean and often feature heated bidet seats with printed instructions.

- Travelers, including seniors, felt safe and welcomed by locals, even in busy nightlife areas during major events.

- For communal baths (onsens), booking a private session is recommended to avoid discomfort for yourself or others.

- On airplanes, lining the lavatory with toilet paper or carrying a small water cup can assist with pouch emptying in vacuum toilets.

- One traveler used an "emptying device" when standard facilities were challenging.

- Inspired by these experiences, others are now planning trips to Japan, reassured that the facilities make travel with an ostomy both feasible and enjoyable.