Companion/ disability pass
Companion/ disability pass
In Australia we have a nationally recognized card that a person carries that allows them to have companions enter an activity/ movie/ concert, etc for free or heavily discounted if that person is unable to attend without support. Is there anything like this in Japan, or does anyone know of an international version?
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In Japan residents are given disability certificates (with a photo like a passport) from their local municipality. This allows discounts at many places.
For foreign visitors, while they should get similar discounts at tourist attractions, we have found there have been discrepancies based on the facility’s policies or misunderstanding of staff when a visitor doesn’t have any certificate (because their home country doesn’t issue them) or the one they have looks too different. I always suggest trying to make a translation of any ID you have or of a doctor’s note and then hope for the best.
When I took my daughter to Japan earlier this year we used her blue badge parking permit (UK government issue) with generally positive results. It’s got her name and photo on it and it is in multiple languages. I think Australia has something similar.
I’m from California and used my blue parking badge permit as “proof” for the handful of discounts I got. I will admit I had no idea I could do that until midway through the trip, when an employee at the Toji Temple gate suggested it and asked if I had some sort of verification. I expect that should be fine to use for other places.
I don’t have an answer to your question but do you know if there is something a visitor can get for Australia? I can’t find it.
I have a companion card and the disability hanging one for my car. I’m in Tasmania, Australia. I’m guessing they are only for Australians but there is an email on the back of the companion card. http://www.companioncard.gov.au
Also a phone number 1800 009 501 during business hours. I’d love to know what they say!
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