[demarie]

Is Takayama and Shirakawa-go doable as a day trip from Kyoto?  If not, is there a place to stay for wheelchair users (does not have to be bathroom accessible)?  Is the trip worthwhile? Please let me know your thoughts.

[Accessible Japan]

Hello,

All the routes I can find from Kyoto are about 4hrs… so not really a day trip.  Takayama Green Hotel has an accessible room: https://www.takayama-gh.com/en/rooms/

Unfortunately, as @joanp can tell you, the only way to Shirakawa-go is via a highway bus with luggage space in the bottom and steps up into it.  If the wheelchair is foldable it can go in the luggage area.  But you will still need to get up the steps…

[Joan]

Hi @DeMarie!

As Josh said, you would have to stay a night in Takayama, as the train from Kyoto takes 4h.

There’s a thread on Takayama and Shirakawago where I explained my trip there. I definitely think that it’s worthwhile, though the buses to Shirakawago are not wheelchair accessible. I have no idea if there would be the possibility to hire an accessible taxi around that area.

Trip to Japan in March

Anyway, I hope that you have a great stay in Japan!