Northern Japan in summer
Northern Japan in summer
Hello, we plan to visit North Japan in summer 2026, so we try to gather informations about some cities we would like to visit : Aomori and Hakodate mainly, and maybe Sapporo. We already experimented Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and even Miyajima with absolutely no difficulies, so is it easier in northern cities ?
I found some old informations about Hakodate but nothing recently posted.
Has anybody here recently visited these cities and have practical informations on public transportation status ? Metro ? Buses ? Tram ?
Thanks in advance !- 4 Replies
I just came back from Sapporo and Hakodate. The hotels are much less accessible than those in Tokyo. I recommend going to the top of Mount Hakodate at Sunset to see the city at night. Most restaurants are not accessible, but some of the newer ones by the hotels Have larger access points without stairs, where you can eat there Ramen and local dishes. Hako date does not have a subway, And I did Not use the public transportation just taxis and my smart drive.
the Keio plaza in Sapporo is probably your best bet for a fairly accessible room. It has a wet room where you can shower. It is located near the subway station however everything is probably around the 25 minute stroll, including the parks Five block Arcade shopping center. The town is mostly flat, I did not use any buses, just my smart drive to get around and the Olympic ski jump has a traditional chairlift however, they will assist putting a Manual wheelchair in one lift if you can sit on the other lift by yourself and will assist you when needed. There are also Mountain Vista with accessible cable cars that you can get good views of the city But you’ll probably need to get a taxi there. Most curb cuts are pretty bumpy, but if you can handle them, then you will be OK.
Hello,
As with any other country, the further you get from the big urban areas, the harder accessibility becomes.
I’ve been to Aomori (Hirosaki to see the castle), Hakodate, and Sapporo. Sapporo should be fine in the main city area as even when I was there 10+ years ago the trains and subway were accessible.
In Hirosaki, there were accessible buses, but not all buses were accessible – for example every third bus on the route etc. That two was about 5 years ago, so there have likely been improvements as new city buses are required to be accessible*, but just be warned that you may need to wait a bus or two.
In Hakodate I used the tram, but not all stops are accessible due to the tram stop configuration and width, and I think some older trams themselves were not accessible but the newer 8100 and 9600 types are. I went from downtown to the fort. It’s in Japanese, but here are the low-floor tram schedules: https://www.city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp/docs/2014012100939/#teisyou – there is a phone number there, perhaps when you get there you can ask your hotel to call to confirm. I stayed here: https://danshaku-club.com/eng/eng-rooms/
Anyway, it certainly is possible – just don’t expect it to go as smoothly as Tokyo!
(*Note: highway/tour buses are still almost never accessible. I’m just referring to the local buses.)
We are frightened by news coming from Japan about heavy rain and floodings, is this common each summer ? Everywhere ? Or just this year ? Is is this buzz from journalists ? Is there any real risk (with an electric wheelchair)?
It’s true that Japan often experiences heavy rain and flooding during the summer months—especially from June to July—due to the tsuyu (rainy season) and typhoon season that follows. However, the severity and areas affected can vary each year.
✅ Is this common every summer?
Yes, heavy rain is common every summer due to seasonal weather patterns. Floods and landslides sometimes occur, particularly in Kyushu, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions, but can also happen in other parts of Japan.
📍 Is it happening everywhere this year?
Not everywhere. This year (2025), some regions have experienced extreme rainfall, but others remain relatively unaffected. The news may focus on the most affected areas, which can feel overwhelming or sensationalized—but the risks are very real for those regions.
⚠️ Is there a real risk—especially with an electric wheelchair?
If you or someone is using an electric wheelchair:
Avoid going out during heavy rain warnings or evacuation advisories.
Flooded roads and underpasses can become inaccessible or dangerous quickly.
Cities are generally good at alerting residents through disaster apps or neighborhood networks.
💡 Tip: Use apps like “NHK News” or “Safety tips Japan” to monitor local weather and alerts in English.
If you have any concerns, I can give you advice tailored to your location and specific situation.
Please feel free to ask if you have any additional questions.
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