We all know that Japan is a popular tourist destination, so naturally there is a lot of information on things to do, places to go and things to eat. And whether or not you live in Japan, you would most likely already have checked out some articles or blogs. But what about if you have a disability, are injured or pregnant? What are the options? And what about disability access in Japan?
Even if you do not have any physical disabilities, you might have friends or family who do. Or you could *touch wood* get injured and suddenly find yourself all the way back at the start of the “I know how to get around Japan” board…a bit like snakes and ladders.
Table of Contents
Transportation
The transportation system in Japan is very punctual and reliable in most cases, but what if you have physical limitations?
Buses
Most buses in Japan have doors that open wide enough for wheelchairs, and most of them are non-step, low-floor buses. This means that with the help of a foldable board ramp, wheelchair users can get on board pretty easily.
The board ramp is kept near the driver, so they can grab it and position it so the passenger can get on. There is also a designated wheelchair area where the seats can be folded up to create space for the passenger.
Trains
Like buses, train stations also have foldable board ramps that wheelchair passengers can use to get into trains. You can approach the train station staff to let them know that you require assistance. Oh, and don’t be surprised if they ask where you are going; this is so they can contact the train station you will be alighting at and the staff there can help you get off the train safely.
Buildings
While there are many buildings that have slopes and ramps, there are a whole bunch of others that don’t. This includes restaurants and shops. This is especially true in the big cities due to the scarcity of land. Some shops and restaurants can only be accessed by stairs. And by stairs, I mean a few flights of stairs. So, if you are a wheelchair user or get around with crutches, you will find it close to impossible to get to those places.
On one hand, it is a pity as some of them are cute little establishments, but really, there are so many other accessible places, you won’t really lack options. And ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started, many food establishments have turned to delivery services to survive, so try checking their website. They might also have a listing apps like Uber Eats so you might be able to order it that way too.
Train Stations
So earlier, I was talking about how you can get on and off the trains with the assistance of the staff, but be reminded that getting to the ticket gates and platforms sometimes require a bit more effort. Many of the train stations have elevators but they are usually at the far end, so it is probably a good idea to first find out where they are beforehand so you can give yourself enough time to get there. Also, if you are in a big city, the stations will be very crowded, so knowing where the elevators are will help you avoid additional stress!
Toilets
Looking for a toilet in any country can be stressful, and even more so for disabled toilets, but there are many in Japan so it shouldn’t be too hard to find them. They can usually be found in train stations and department stores. If you need help deciphering the Japanese characters, check out the information here.
There is an unofficial online map for disabled toilet locations and you can choose the area you are in from the drop-down menu. But while it is helpful if you understand Japanese you will probably need help if you don’t.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find a list in English, but will update this post if I find one. And if you, like me, are not able to find the information online easily, you can try asking the station and department store staff. If you are near a Tourist Information Centre, I suggest you ask them. You might be able to get some information that way.
Disabilities that are not obvious
If you are using a wheelchair or crutches, or even have a cast on your arm, it is pretty obvious that you might not be able to move as fast as an able-bodied person.
I think that generally, people are more understanding if they can see the disability. They might hold the elevator doors open a bit longer, or maybe even wait for the next elevator so you can get on first.
But, what if your disability isn’t that obvious? I mean, if you are visually impaired and carry a white visual impairment cane, this would be obvious. But if it is a temporary thing, or maybe if you are partially visually impaired, no one would be able to tell.
For this reason, Japan has come up with the Help Mark tag. This identifies the holder as someone who has disabilities that are not easily noticeable. It has a strap attached to it so you can hang it on your bag or backpack.
Pregnancy
I know pregnancy isn’t actually a disability, but since we’re on the topic of tags, I wanted to mention the Maternity tag. This was created so people around would be aware of the woman’s pregnancy and be a little kinder and a little more understanding.
Visually impaired
Before I end this post, I wanted to mention a few things that Japan has put in place to help the visually impaired. The train station platform gates have Braille information to make it easier. The ticket machines have Braille as well. You can also find Braille on elevator buttons.
There are also yellow raised grooves in the streets and crosswalks have loud “peep pop peep pop” sounds to guide the visually impaired across safely.
Special mention
The train stations play different bird calls on the speakers near the platforms. This is so the visually impaired know when they are near an exit or escalator. I always wondered why there were so many birds in the station, until I found out what they were actually for many years later!
Additional information
Accessible Japan has additional information on things like Hotels, Guide Dogs and other useful pieces of information.
If you find this information useful, or know someone who might need it, please share it with them. And if you have more tips and ideas, please share them in the comments section.
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Photo credit: Photo by Marcus Aurelius from Pexels