Japanese hotel chain that had toilet seat taken ‘still welcomes’ Chinese guests

A Japanese hotel that had a toilet seat taken by two Chinese tourists, says it still welcomes Chinese guests but is considering posting notices to explain any unusual situations.

“We will still welcome Chinese tourists as always even after this incident,” a spokeswoman for the Toyoko Inn hotel chain told the South China Morning Post.

She confirmed one of the chain’s hotels had contacted the guide of a Chinese tour group after discovering the toilet seat missing on Tuesday morning.

“There are small things in the hotels that have been taken before by tourists, but it is rare to see such huge objects taken,” she said.

The news went viral after Chinese media reported the incident and sparked a hunt for the identity of the couple, who later apologised and returned the toilet seat by mail.