Visiting Japan was one of our most anticipated trips. Since it’s a densely populated country, we had to plan extensively for accessibility. However, we were amazed at how much effort has been made to make each place as wheelchair-friendly as possible.
We spent 10 days in Japan, visiting:
• Tokyo – ♿️ ♿️ ♿️
• Kyoto- ♿️
• Hiroshima-♿️ ♿️
• Hakone-♿️ ♿️
• Miyajima Island- ♿️ ♿️
Tokyo is a vibrant, modern city filled with cultural landmarks, towering skyscrapers breathtaking observation decks, and home to the world-famous Shibuya Crossing. which is completely wheelchair accessible. In contrast, Kyoto offers an old-world charm with its traditional wooden ryokans, endless food options, and fantastic shopping. Hiroshima, a large and modern city, is a powerful reminder of resilience, showing how willpower and hope can transform the world despite a tragic past.
Japan’s shrines, temples, and pagodas hold a unique charm. While accessibility at these historical sites can be challenging, there are still great viewpoints that allow you to take in their beauty. The Shinkansen (bullet train) and the breathtaking Mount Fuji were unforgettable highlights of our trip.
Hakone and Miyajima Islands are unique in their own way, featuring floating shrines and breathtaking views of Mount Fuji.
Taxi and Shinkansen
For a person using a wheelchair, it’s best to use taxis within the city and the Shinkansen to travel between cities. Taxi drivers are very helpful, and the Toyota JPN Taxi is recommended for better accessibility. The Shinkansen is also a good option when traveling from one city to another. Be sure to check for wheelchair-accessible seats well in advance.
Wheelchair accessibility ♿️
- Please book the tickets through the app beforehand
- When you reach the station one of the crew will assist you all the way
- There are ramps for the wheelchair sections
- There are wheelchair-accessible bathrooms in the train
Tokyo
♿️ Wheelchair-Accessible Places We Covered in Tokyo
1. Meiji Shrine – A cultural and historical landmark worth visiting, featuring a beautiful Torii gate and many bells. The shrine is fully wheelchair accessible, but the path from the entrance to the shrine is quite long.
2. Takeshita Street—This lively shopping street is filled with unique stores, giving insight into Japan’s youth culture. While crowded, it is manageable with a wheelchair.
There is a ♿️ wheelchair-accessible restroom at the third in the Uniqlo complex.
3. Roppongi Hills – A luxurious shopping district, especially famous for its stunning Christmas illuminations. The observation deck is fully accessible, offering breathtaking views of Tokyo Tower.
4. Asakusa and Sensoji temple – A bustling yet wheelchair-manageable area. The Torii gate, the temple, and the vibrant streets leading up to it are all ♿️ wheelchair accessible. An elevator is available, so wheelchair users can go in the temple. You can also take great photos of the beautiful pagoda.
There are ♿️ wheelchair-accessible restrooms
5. Akihabara – Known as the “Electric City,” this district is a paradise for electronics and anime lovers. It has a unique and exciting atmosphere.
6. Shibuya Crossing – The heart of Tokyo’s city life! You can take your time crossing the famous intersection in a wheelchair. However, many restaurants in the area are not fully wheelchair accessible, though with some assistance, they can be managed.
7. Toyosu Fish Market – A must-visit, especially for the early morning Tuna Auction. Taxis will drop you off near the market, from where you’ll need to walk. Staff members are available to assist. Watching the auction and enjoying fresh sushi is an incredible experience, and the market is fully wheelchair-accessible.
8. Itoya Stationery Store – One of my favorite spots! This 12-story stationery paradise is a must-visit for paper and art lovers, and it is completely wheelchair accessible.
Hakone and Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is a must-see attraction when visiting Tokyo. There are two popular options for viewing the peak: Kawaguchiko and Hakone. Both offer stunning views, but for ♿️ wheelchair users, hiring a taxi from Tokyo for a day trip is the best option.
We chose to visit Hakone, and along the way, we stopped at the Owakudani Valley Panoramic ropeway, which is fully ♿️ wheelchair accessible. The crew is very helpful, ensuring a smooth experience.
Another highlight was the Hakone Pirate Ship, which takes you around Lake Ashi and is also ♿️ wheelchair accessible.
Hakone is home to several beautiful shrines, including one located on the lake. Unfortunately, this particular shrine is not wheelchair accessible, but you can still enjoy a great view from the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise Office, where ♿️ wheelchair-accessible parking is available.
Kyoto: A Cultural Gem
Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan, offering a completely different vibe from Tokyo. It is home to stunning shrines, Torii gates, palaces, and an incredible food scene. While wheelchair accessibility can be challenging in Kyoto, most places are manageable with some assistance.
Here are the places we visited:
1. Gion – One of Kyoto’s most iconic streets, lined with traditional ryokan-style houses, souvenir shops, and restaurants. It is also a center for cultural experiences like tea ceremonies. The sidewalks are ♿️ wheelchair-accessible, but most shops are not.
2. Bamboo Forest & Arashiyama – A breathtaking bamboo grove that is completely ♿️ wheelchair accessible. Taxis can drop you off at a convenient location—just ask them to navigate through the crowd.
3. Fushimi Inari Shrine (Red Torii Gates) – One of Kyoto’s most famous sights, featuring thousands of red Torii gates leading up the mountain. ♿️ Wheelchair accessibility is available up to a certain point, but the ramps are extremely steep beyond that.
4. Kiyomizu-dera – A stunning pagoda-style temple with incredible views. However, accessibility is challenging due to the steep uphill street leading to it. Assistance is definitely required.
5. Nishiki Market – A vibrant, barrier-free market offering a variety of local specialties, from fresh seafood and Wagyu beef skewers to tempura and handcrafted soy-based treats. You can also find out-of-this-world bonsais here.
6. Pontocho River Road – A beautiful riverside street perfect for a leisurely stroll and people-watching.
Hiroshima and Miyajima island
A visit to Hiroshima is both emotional and deeply thought-provoking. The way the city has rebuilt itself while keeping the memory of the past alive is truly remarkable. The Peace Memorial Museum’s wheelchair accessibility ensures that everyone can experience the history firsthand, and the A-Bomb Dome stands as a stark reminder of the impact of war. It’s a place that makes you reflect on resilience, hope, and the global responsibility to maintain peace.
Miyajima Island is a stunning side trip from Hiroshima, famous for its beautiful floating Torii gate. The island is easily accessible by ferry.
For ♿️ wheelchair users, it is important to take the ferry from the Miyajima Matsudai Kisen Ferry Terminal, as this terminal is fully wheelchair accessible. The ferry terminal near the Peace Museum is not wheelchair accessible.
Wheelchair Accessibility ♿️ ♿️
- Tokyo: Major attractions like Tokyo Disneyland, Sensō-ji Temple, and Shibuya Crossing are wheelchair accessible. Some traditional areas may have uneven paths.
- Kyoto: Temples like Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari have partial accessibility, but due to historic structures, some areas have stairs. Kiyomizu-dera now has an elevator for accessibility.
- Mount Fuji & Hakone: Accessible options exist, like the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and Hakone Ropeway, but some mountain paths may be difficult to navigate.
- Hiroshima: The Peace Memorial Museum, A-Bomb Dome, and ferry to Miyajima are wheelchair accessible. Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine is partially accessible, but some areas have steps.
- Hotels: Westin Tokyo and Cross Hotel Kyoto are very nice hotels that are also wheelchair accessible.
Japan also has excellent accessibility for visually impaired individuals.
Tactile Paving (Tenji Blocks): Yellow tactile paving with raised lines and dots is widespread in train stations, sidewalks, and public buildings to help guide visually impaired individuals.
Audio Signals at Crosswalks: Many pedestrian crossings have audio signals that indicate when it’s safe to walk, often using different sounds for different directions.
Braille Signage is found in train stations, elevators, handrails, and even restaurant menus in some places. Many ATMs also have Braille instructions.
