Artistic restroom at JR Kinashi Station unveiled with projection mapping and Momotaro mural
Kagawa unveils an artistic restroom at JR Kinashi Station, featuring projection mapping, Momotaro art and student video displays that showcase local culture.
TAKAMATSU — A new artistic restroom at JR Kinashi Station opened this spring, combining functional upgrades with public art and projection mapping.
The facility, built by the Kagawa prefectural government on the station’s west side, aims to serve passengers and nearby residents while creating a visible canvas for local and student artists.
New restroom opens at JR Kinashi Station
The prefabricated building stands separate from the main station and is designed for ease of access by commuters, schoolchildren and visitors.
Kagawa Prefecture financed the project after prolonged complaints about the station’s previous lavatory, which had been in use for more than seven decades.
Local officials describe the site as both a public amenity and a cultural touchpoint, chosen for its high visibility near the platform and community routes.
The prefectural government said it will run a public competition to select short videos for projection, hoping to turn the wall into a rotating exhibition space.
Artwork, projection mapping and schedule
A south-facing wall roughly three meters square features an original illustration inspired by the Momotaro legend, painted by Tokyo-based illustrator Ico Asagiwa.
The piece was selected through a public contest and serves as a permanent focal image for the space.
Projection mapping is installed on the west-facing glass surface and will screen selected videos twice each evening at 7:15 p.m. and 8:20 p.m. on weekdays.
On weekends and public holidays the program will include works produced by students from Anabuki Design College in Takamatsu, alongside entries from the public competition.
Facilities and accessibility upgrades
The new restroom replaces a single unisex, non-flushing facility on the platform that had become dilapidated after decades of use.
The upgraded building provides separate male and female restrooms as well as a multipurpose room intended for caregivers, people with disabilities and other needs.
Designers emphasized practical improvements: flushing toilets, improved ventilation, and finishes intended to withstand heavy daily use by commuters and schoolchildren.
The location was chosen in part because the old facility was heavily used by students from nearby Kagawa Prefectural Takamatsu Nishi High School.
Community and student engagement in displays
Weekend projections will prominently feature student-created content that spotlights local specialties, cultural motifs and design concepts tied to Kagawa.
Officials said the initiative provides a new outlet for young creators to reach a broader public audience in the heart of Takamatsu.
The upcoming public competition for projection content is intended to attract both amateur and professional filmmakers and animators.
Kagawa authorities said submissions will be judged on creativity, technical quality and relevance to local culture, with selected works scheduled for periodic rotation.
Opening ceremony and local cultural ties
A completion ceremony was held on March 22, where local performers presented a traditional Kagura music and dance program in front of the projection mapping display.
The event underscored the prefecture’s intent to link contemporary public art with longstanding cultural practices.
Kagawa Governor Toyohito Ikeda spoke at the ceremony and described the facility as an “art canvas” in the city center that he hopes residents and visitors will use actively.
Officials framed the restroom as part of broader efforts to revitalize public spaces and to give emerging artists a visible platform in a daily urban setting.
The artistic restroom at JR Kinashi Station is now open to the public, offering both improved facilities and a new venue for visual storytelling that connects regional folklore, student creativity and municipal urban planning.
