The washroom in Tofukuji Temple in western Kyoto is an important cultural asset believed to have been built around 500 years ago, The Guardian reports.

However, police said it was partially destroyed after a 30-year-old man working for the Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association accidentally reversed into it.

The car destroyed the original two-metre-tall wooden door and caused damage to pillars and walls inside, though the latrines themselves are said to be intact.

Local official Norihiko Murata said: “It is of course disappointing that part of this important cultural property has been damaged like this. We will discuss how to restore it in a way that will retain as much of its cultural value as possible.”