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Hello. Situation is spouse’s knees have kind of given out over last 6 months, with one in line for a replacement and other not responding to PT. Results in pain, issues with distance and hills. (a year ago was walking 2 or more miles for exercise.) Uses a cane, must rest due to knees.
Once in lifetime trip to Japan to visit daughter in Tokyo, 10/8 – 10/17 and she is mapping out tourist alternatives that are friendly to her mom’s issue. And we will taxi around as needed.
Mom wants to ride Shinkansen (the fastest one, the Nozomi) and see Kyoto, and having never been there, all I read is lines, no place to sit, and a lot of walking and often not solid surfaces. Daughter has been there once, paid no attention to such details but agreed, it’s an issue.
My query to folks here is if this is just not something we can do and look at something else or can she see some/parts of things in a accessible (for her) way? I was thinking a day trip, Shinkansen there and back, finding a driver (van, not sedan) in Kyoto for the 4 of us who could take us around as close as possible, let us skip things if weather, knees or crowds are a deal, help us get around and to places where we can do a few things if not experience them the way they should be? Would that be possible?
Or are there things you think would work or be better? We know we don’t know what we are doing so any advice or links would be a great help.
Thanks
Eden and Valwen9 Comments-
Good luck with your trip. If I can help please check me out at WanderAble.com.au
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Following because we are also trying to find a good way to visit Kyoto. About making it comfortable for wife, while I would not recommend getting a wheelchair without medical advice, would renting a scooter or one of those portable electrical wheelchairs for the trip be something you can discuss with her PT or healthcare provider? I had bad knees before I needed to use my wheelchair and remember how painful it was to push through when traveling.
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Thanks for the suggestion, doctors not supportive of DME assistive devices yet while Gel shots, PT and healing taking place, and with surgery on one knee likely shortly after we return, spouse agrees. Don’t think if we could rent one in Kyoto a one day learn how to use it experience is what she wants. As she said, she doesn’t know where her journey with this issue will lead, but it’s “not there yet” regarding a scooter etc. We are looking to just avoid places where walking is a must (trails, hills) stick with temples, scenic things, strategic site shopping and where transport can get us to point B from A. Thanks!
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One of the big things about sites I’m finding is that while it’s great and a must have to know about elevators, steps and surface conditions, many don’t get into detail about distance, because I’m guessing what my wife calls short or long differs from someone in a wheelchair or mobility scooter would call is at the same place and conditions. That’s been my big brick wall.
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I have been to Kyoto several times, most recently with my daughter who is in a wheelchair. We got around comfortably on public transport, which is virtually all accessible. Using vans only gets you so far. Ask your medical practitioner if a manual wheelchair with pneumatic tyres (necessary for cobbles) would provide the necessary support. Your wife can walk when she feels up to it and someone can push her when she doesn’t. Most temples are on elevated ground (nearer the promised place and easier to dominate the surroundings). Therefore expect steps (some very big) and steep slopes. The Imperial Palace is accessed through the Seishomon Gate. The park it is in has gravel paths but if you go up the street to the west you can avoid most of them. Kiyomizu-dera (the Golden Temple) is accessible as far as the temple itself, over the paths but beyond that are lots of uneven steps so you have to turn back. One thing you have to face is that the historic bits are very old and therefore so are the surfaces you walk on. Nanzen-ji is very accessible, you can get a van almost to the front where there’s a disabled entrance (but you have to go over to the ticket office to buy them). Inside it’s mostly level or gentle slopes. I don’t want to be negative but a day trip to Kyoto is not doing it justice if it’s a once in a lifetime trip. Take a couple of days at least and you will still only scratch the surface.
All Shinkansen (except the Kodama) go at the same speed. The difference is the number of stops they make as quicker trains leapfrog slower trains when the latter are in stations. Note that Shinkansen seats can only be booked a month in advance but you can do it on line. There are very limited wheelchair seats available but if you have a folding one it will fit behind the last row of seats in a carriage. To reserve the space you have to book the seats immediately in front of it (“extra luggage space”) ones. Seats on Shinkansen face in the direction of travel so if you are going from Tokyo to Kyoto get seats on the right hand side of the carriage and if you are lucky you might get a glimpse of Fuji (don’t count on seing it, I think I have managed it twice in ten trips).
One or two other things. Maps in Japan do not follow the “north is up” convention, always look for the compass. Kyoto station is massive. The station map (find it on http://www.jr-odekake.net) shows you the layout in 2-D and 3-D but beware of where North is.
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Thank you for all the great data. I do not disagree regarding more days in Kyoto but a limited period in Japan, budget and other planned things with the daughter all claim our limited time, we are compromising all over the place because a brief visit is better than none.
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My husband is in a power wheelchair and we had very similar concerns to yours. As to transportation, we use Tokudaw in Kyoto and it helped a great deal when dealing with the crowds and going to places that tourists frequent a lot. If you’re not using a wheelchair, then I’m sure there are other companies that can help with this.
I would not recommend a day trip for your wife because it will be exhausting for her at least try one night.
Also, I don’t know if you’re planning to use the trains and Metro, but they are certainly easy enough to navigate with a wheelchair as the stations always have people helping you.
Have you considered any assistive devices like a Rollator or even a small travel chair? Walking through train stations can certainly be exhausting.
Good luck with your planning. Japan is a very beautiful country.
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Hi John, I just made a post that is kinda/sorta in the same general area, but may help us both. Thanks for asking.
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