Group Description
Looking to travel to Japan and need accessibility information? Join our group discussion on accessible travel in Japan and discover the best tips and tricks.
The Japan group is a community of travelers who are passionate about exploring Japan and sharing their experiences with others. This group is dedicated to discussing all aspects of accessible travel in Japan, including accommodations, transportation, tourist attractions, and cultural experiences, as well as links to accessible travel companies and organizations.
Whether you have been here a million times or planning your first visit, the Japan group is a welcoming community that offers support and encouragement for travelers of all abilities. By sharing their experiences and knowledge, members of the group are helping to make travel in Japan more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Reply To: Narita to Maebashi Gunma
Hello Luna,
You shouldn’t need to worry about your wheelchair and most trains in Japan (if you use a scooter, it could be an issue though), the trains are VERY accessible and you’ll regularly get extra help getting to your destination which can make it a breeze! If you haven’t already, we recommend checking out Accessible Japan’s transportation section (here: https://www.accessible-japan.com/wheelchair-accessible-trains-and-subways-in-japan/). Any of the choices on the link you sent should be fine, so probably the quickest or least transfers. I would consider a JR Rail Pass for the time you’re there if you plan to do a lot of train travel (you must buy it before you go, it may cover the cost of JR lines and possibly the Shinkansen in your mentioned trip), it can make it super easy to get around.
Also, make sure to check out Accessible Japan’s Shinkansen (AKA Bullet Train) section if you decide to use one. Seats available for wheelchairs can sometimes be limited, which could possibly cause a delay, so consider getting them as early as you can. It’s best to plan ahead with it, I originally didn’t account for this myself one trip, but luckily I didn’t have a problem getting a ticket (and this was at a busier time) which would of otherwise delayed me more than an hour.
Side note: I find that Google maps provide good suggestions for trains
as well, additionally they often have 360 street views and photos of
stations that can make planning easier.The buses you mentioned may be currently suspended due to previous Covid-19 restrictions and the current tourist restrictions requiring tour packages. I personally don’t know what kind of traveling around you can do beyond the purchased package (if any), so this may effect many decisions in your trip if you’re planning to go soon (e.g. a JR Rail Pass may not be worth it if the package limits your traveling). I’d recommend getting as much information about travel packages as possible if you plan to go that route.
If you have any additional questions we’ll try to get you some answers. Otherwise, I hope that helps,
-Justin