Accessible Tokyo
Traveling to Tokyo may seem a bit intimidating to those with disabilities but with a little advanced planning and a bit of determination it can be done! Just a few years back in would have been practically impossible to get around Tokyo if you used a wheelchair or had any other significant impediment to your mobility but things have improved quite a bit. Accessible Tokyo is a website created by volunteers from the Japanese Red Cross Society to help the disabled plan their trip and find hotels, parks, and museums that meet their special needs. The site was last updated in 2005 and may not be comprehensive but it is still a great resource and is worth reviewing if you, or a traveling companion, have a disability. Another resource is Accessible Japan Travel at Yokoso! Japan.
Trains & Subways
Most stations are either above or below ground level and are accessed via a combination of stairs and escalators. Elevators have been installed in many stations and some ticket vending machines are positioned low enough so that those confined to a wheelchair can purchase tickets unassisted. Wheelchairs do not fit through the automated ticket gates but there is usually one wide gate next to the stationmasters office that can be utilized. A second elevator is usually available to ascend or descend to track level. If you don’t have someone with you, ask one of the station attendants for assistance boarding the train as there are often wide gaps between the platform and the train itself which may be difficult to traverse on your own. Newer trains offer areas dedicated to wheelchair parking (pictured on the right) and Accessible Japan Travel offers a map of accessible rail and subway stations.
Visual Impairment
Many city streets in Tokyo, and throughout Japan, have raised ‘Braille’ strips on the sidewalks so that they are navigable for the visually impaired. You will also find these strips in train stations.
More Accessible Tokyo Resources
If you have a disability of travel with someone who does, take a moment to review the information offered by Accessible Tokyo. Here are just some of the areas that are covered:
- Getting in and out of Japan
- Selected Area Guides
- Useful Transportation Information (including contact information)
Similar information is available by area at Accessible Japan Travel.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia, Wheelchair space of JR E233 & Flickr, Osaka Sidewalk(a)
Tags: Accesible Japan Travel, Accessible Tokyo, blind, disabilities, handicapped, Japan, The Tokyo Traveler, Tokyo, Tokyo Travel Guide, Tokyo Travel Tips, Tokyo Visitors Guide, Travel, visually impaired, wheelchairRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Travel Tips - General Information
4 opinions for Accessible Tokyo
Auf dem Boden in Japans Bahnhöfen und Straßen liegen die Schilder für Blinde - Das deutschsprachige Portugal Forum
Jul 30, 2008 at 9:09 pm
[…] Bahnhöfen und Straßen liegen die Schilder für Blinde unglaublich was die Japaner bieten: Accessible Tokyo Schande auf mich…an sowas habe ich noch nie gedacht ! […]
DisabledTravelers.com Travel Blog :: Entries :: Accessible Tokyo…
Aug 1, 2008 at 10:58 am
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Taro
Aug 1, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Tokyo is “ok” for the blind, a pain from those in wheelchairs, but it’s hell if you are on crutches. DO. NOT. COME.
(In the past 20 years living in Japan, crushing braindead hoards of salarymen have tried to push me down stairs and off train platforms at least once a week. Survival hint: Always slug ‘em first to wake ‘em up.)
Shane
Aug 2, 2008 at 10:49 am
Taro, I don’t disagree that being on crutches would make traversing Tokyo very challenging. People in crowded train stations tend to be very single minded about getting where they are going and if you hesitate, on crutches or not, there is a good chance that you will get bumped. Whether it is intentional is up for debate.
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