Wheelchair travel in Japan
My friend uses a wheelchair and would like to visit Japan with his wife (who is not in a wheelchair).
Since I have been to Japan several times, he is looking to me to help plan or arrange a trip.
I am mostly concerned about getting around within Tokyo, although shinkansen travel to Kyoto is likely on the agenda.
So, I know that many Tokyo-area subway/train stations have elevators, but they seem too narrow for my friend's 34 inch (86.4 cm) wide wheelchair. I don't have any measurements currently handy, but I seem to recall around 70-75 cm wide for the typical station elevator door.
This SE question does discuss the elevator situation, but not in enough detail to answer my question about the size of the elevators.
Japan has been working on their "Barrier Free" aspects for years, and this seems to be getting more details as the 2020 Olympics approach. For example, there are now Barrier Free trip guides, at least in Tokyo.
Should I just try to find a (Japan) local tour company that specializes in travel for wheelchair users? These travel companies exist, but their customers seem to be native Japanese (only?). This could work, if I could find a tour that visits places a typical American would like to see and then get our own translator.
Or maybe I try to convince him to try a narrower wheelchair. He is not a small person and is quite used to his wheelchair, so I am not sure how this will be received.
TLDR:
- How wide are the elevator doors in Tokyo-area train stations?
- How easy is it to get a taxi big enough to hold a wheelchair in the back?
Pictures about "Wheelchair travel in Japan"
Is Tokyo wheelchair friendly?
Most of buildings and department stores have good wheelchair accessibility. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a famous large park with beautiful gardens, is wheelchair accessible. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is also wheelchair accessible. Visitors enjoy the landscape from the 45th floor without charge.What happens to disabled people in Japan?
Every person with disability shall have a right to be respected for his or her individual dignity and lead a decent life. Every person with disability, as a member of the society, shall be entitled opportunities to participate in social, economic, cultural and all other activities in the society.Which country has best disabled access?
Europe has the highest number of accessible cities. Countries like the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and several northern and eastern European countries are becoming more accessible for people with disabilities....Best Disability-Friendly Cities in EuropeHow do Japanese people feel about disabled people?
\u201cIn Japan, disabled people are discriminated against so the families wanted to hide them,\u201d Ono told Reuters in an interview, adding he and Chikiko had always been open about their son, who has autism and cognitive disabilities. Japan has made progress in its treatment of the disabled.Travelling With a Physical Disability in Japan
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Images: Aleksandar Pasaric, Alex Knight, Pixabay, Aleksandar Pasaric