Wheelchair accessible restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto
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Wheelchair accessible restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto
Hi everyone, I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for places to eat in Tokyo and Kyoto that are step free (or have just one step)? I’ll be using a very small, lightweight electric travel wheelchair that can be bumped up a step, but I can’t walk at all. I’m not too worried about restaurants having accessible loos as I’ll use the ones in museums/shopping centres/transport stations. We’re particularly keen to try anything Japanese – sushi, ramen, kobe beef etc! Any help really appreciated. Thanks!
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6 Replies
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Hi Lucy,
It might be easier to go the opposite direction – find some restaurants you are interested in (ie reviews or recommendations on other sites) and then check the accessibility. I can call or we can look for info online.
The universal easiest way to have a higher chance of accessibility is the top floor of department stores as they tend to be accessible. (Though some may add a pointless step for “style” 😒.). You’d be able to get nicer dishes like sushi and Kobe beef there. Also, depending on your budget, 4 and 5 star hotels often have sushi and teppanyaki restaurants that are great. You don’t need to be a hotel guest to eat there.
Ramen will be harder as most ramen shops tend to be small and cramped, but wheelchair accessible ones do exist…
I also suggest getting my friend’s app, WheeLog! (https://wheelog.com/en/). It is sort of a Google Maps for wheelchair users and you can see how people have rated buildings and restaurants.
Accessible Japan has also started working with Arigato Japan on some food tours. The ones listed on the Accessible Japan site can be adapted for wheelchair users – but be sure to clearly state your needs when booking. (Accessible Japan does get a small portion of tours purchased through those links on our site.)
Looking forward to helping you enjoy the tastes of Japan!
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My friend @allyhongo found this great list for Tokyo:
https://san-tatsu.jp/collects/15348/
It is a list of great accessible restaurants. They are a bit fancier, but hey, how often do you come to Japan, right!
Of course, it is in Japanese… but Google Translate should work. If not, tell us which you are interested in and we can get more info.
I have been to the second one (for a government PR campaign) and can confirm it is good. (I think the owner’s son has a disability…?)
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In Kyoto, I remember going to a Kura Sushi restaurant (it’s a sushi chain and I think they are great value) and the entrance was accessible and they had removable seats on the counter style area (the tablet to order and the place to grab the dishes from was a bit high, but they offered help if you needed). In Osaka, both Kura Sushi places that I ate in were also wheelchair accessible, but I have no idea if it’s common for all restaurants in the chain (I wouldn’t vouch for it). Anyway, it may be an option for you for inexpensive good sushi.
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Ah! Just remembered a good place for Ramen! Tokyo Ramen Street. It is part of Tokyo Station in the basement, so there shouldn’t be any steps. There are a number of restaurants there so likely you’ll be able to find a place a wheelchair can get into.
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Tokyo: I recently found Uracori (裏コリ) a small restaurant complex area just under the Yamanote line between Shinbashi station and Yurakucho station. “They are mainly Japanese cuisines incl. ramen, Yakitori, sashimi, etc. As they are new, they have accessible toilet and the ramen shop “Kitakata” is also accessible. As they are new and their website is in Japanese only, maybe not known to many foreign visitors even though the place is quite close to Ginza. I think it is a matter of time.
http://www.uracori.com/?page_id=53 -
Great suggestion @ohayotravel and it reminds me of Shibuya Yokocho under Miyashita Park. The inside is a bit tight, but outside seating is possible as well. There is an accessible toilet too.
https://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/shibuya-yokocho-a-daily-food-festival/63435
Ame Yokocho in Ueno also has a number of places with outdoor seating.
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