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Another person (@John in Japan) asked a tandem question, so I hope this will help us both: I use a cane and have chronic hip and back pain so hikes, steep hills, and ice are problems. Can anyone advise if sidewalks and paths are icy in January in rural and semi-rural Japan? I will be transiting between Kamakura, Fujinomiya, Gujo-Hachiman, and Omihachiman when not in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Traveling solo, and not a wheelchair user. Most likely for some of these spots I will hire a taxi for last mile travel once off the trains.
Also, are the JR/ JT/ Tokaido Line Local/Enoden trains in these areas outside the Japanese Alps ever snowed in and canceled or greatly delayed?
Finally, does anyone know if canes are permitted *inside* the onsen and sento bathing areas if they are properly washed first?
Thanks in advance.
Eden
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Going to ask @joanp to jump in on this one as he is an onsen expert and been to more rural areas.
For the cane it unfortunately may very well come down to being case-by-case where some places understand and others don’t. I’m not sure if you speak Japanese or not, but you may want to prepare something to explain your need and offer to wash it. Does it have a removable pad? Maybe you could bring an “indoor pad” and change it in the onsen?
As for snow, everything is changing in the climate so it is harder and harder to say! I live in Tokyo and we maybe get a dusting of snow once a year, and often closer to February. As it is rare and streets are narrow and there aren’t snow plows and many people down’t own shovels, snow removal isn’t as swift or common as places that are used to frequent snow. Though it usually melts by mid day. In the case of snow, trains can be cancelled. That being said I wouldn’t say it happens enough to worry about.
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@joshgrisdale thank you for this! When you say pad do you mean the squishy tip? Hadn’t thought about it, but I have spares and could throw one into the luggage.
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