A restroom with a runway view. This Incheon Airport restroom has been named South Korea's best restroom of 2026. (Incheon International Airport)
A restroom with a runway view. This Incheon Airport restroom has been named South Korea's best restroom of 2026. (Incheon International Airport)

If you've ever been impressed by the restrooms at Incheon International Airport, you're not alone. One of them just won the Presidential Award at South Korea's 28th Beautiful Restroom Awards.

The winning restroom, located near Gate 225 in Terminal 2's duty-free area, stands out for its floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of planes taking off and landing.

Organizers say the restrooms are evaluated based on cleanliness, convenience, safety, design and maintenance, in which this particular restroom ticked all of the boxes.

This restroom at Incheon Airport was praised for its design, accessibility and convenience. (Incheon International Airport)
This restroom at Incheon Airport was praised for its design, accessibility and convenience. (Incheon International Airport)

Other winners included Geomam Station in Incheon, whose restroom features an AI-powered safety monitoring system, and two Korea Railroad-operated stations: Sagok Station in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, and Jinbu Station in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province.

The restrooms at Jinbu Station (top photo) and Sagok Station won silver and bronze awards, respectively. (Korea Railroad)
The restrooms at Jinbu Station (top photo) and Sagok Station won silver and bronze awards, respectively. (Korea Railroad)

Last year, the grand prize went to another Korea Railroad-operated restroom on the west side of Seoul Station's second floor, recognized for its traveler-friendly design and curved waiting area that helps reduce crowding.

Last year's winning bathroom is at Seoul Station. (Korea Railroad)
Last year's winning bathroom is at Seoul Station. (Korea Railroad)

Organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Korea Restroom Culture Association, the competition drew entries from 74 local governments and organizations this year.

The association also runs an online forum where people can share their picks for the best and worst public restrooms, along with reviews of restrooms across the country.

South Korea's 28th Beautiful Restroom Awards took place Tuesday afternoon at The Seoul Museum of History in Jongno-gu, Seoul. (Ministry of the Interior and Safety)
South Korea's 28th Beautiful Restroom Awards took place Tuesday afternoon at The Seoul Museum of History in Jongno-gu, Seoul. (Ministry of the Interior and Safety)

tammy@heraldcorp.com