[Cat]

Hi Noland,

I have just returned from Tokyo and Kyoto last week, so my experience wasn’t base on Osaka, but I heard Osaka is somewhat like Tokyo but a little less crowded so I hope my experience is relevant. Please don’t give up even it may seem impossible because Japan is much accessible friendly than what most people said on the internet. I ordered a new manual wheelchair in Japan, and its design is quite narrow so it is easier to navigate in Asia.

These are few of my observations:

1) all 3 hotels have small units, narrow hallway,, low beds, tight washroom (bearly fit 2 ppl), grab bar in bathtub but no grab bar to help getting inside bathtub). So please make sure you get the largest size room if you find an accessible hotel from the Accessible Japn web page.

2) All train stations that I went to have elevators. Inside all these elevators have buttons are lowered for wheelchair users and they are found at all sides of elevator.

3) Google Map is very reliable in pointing me to accessible routes. Very accurate info on which # of car is for wheelchair and the most convenient to exit.

4) Most Japanese are helpful, they would move aside as soon as they see a wheelchair to give me room. They may not interfere to help unless you ask for help. They are good in giving boundaries. But most visitors in suitcases are not as sensitive to wheelchair users and the surroundings, they may cut in front of you, hit your face with backpacks so please be careful on that. And don’t let them ruin your mood. 😜

5) Most alleyway shops and restaurants are not wheelchair friendly.

6) There are large accessible dressing room in most big stores like Uniqlo.

7) All stations I went to have station attendants. So you can ask for a ramp .

That’s all I can think of now, hope you get a bigger picture of your trip.