Thousands of people from the United States and around the
world will be heading to the Summer Paralympic and Olympic Games in Tokyo,
Japan, next year. With thousands of wheelchair users expected to arrive, Tokyo
has been working hard to become a more wheelchair-friendly city.
Accessibility throughout Japan has dramatically improved
over the past several decades, with non-step buses, facilities that are easy to
navigate in a wheelchair, wheelchair-accessible public restrooms, wider
elevators with lowered buttons, and so much more. Yet despite all the
improvements geared to those who require a wheelchair to maneuver around, many
challenges remain.
Navigating Tokyo
Trains and subways stations are wheelchair friendly, with
escalators, elevators, and stairlifts, but these improvements are mainly in the
city centers. Staff at train stations help with boarding and disembarking by
using ramps and special lifts. Wheelchair users should call ahead to have staff
available. If you plan to travel long distances by rail, you should reserve a
wheelchair-friendly seat in advance.
Buses are mostly non-step or kneeling, and many have
priority seating areas for wheelchair users. Taxis that feature individual
rotating seats or ramps for more comfortable boarding have increased, but many
are still hard to board. And if you’re using a non-foldable wheelchair, there
won’t be a place to carry it.
There are rental car companies that offer an wheelchair
accessible van, and most are at similar pricing to standard vehicles.
Surprisingly, most of the companies that rent them don’t advertise it on their
English websites – only on their Japanese websites. So, to book a wheelchair
accessible van, you’ll need to call the rental company directly.
Exploring the City
Regardless of where you stay, new hotels are required by law
to be wheelchair accessible. Many of Tokyo’s older hotels are undergoing
necessary renovation to remove barriers for those with disabilities. Here’s
something else to keep in mind: many websites only have complete information on
accessibility in Japanese, not in English. You’ll have to dig a little deeper
to find those websites.
When touring the city, you’ll find that most sidewalks are
at grade level or have cuts in the curbs that make it much easier to navigate
than many other cities around the world. Most tourist attractions, including
museums and restaurants, are accessible to those requiring a wheelchair for
mobility. Many cultural heritage sites have accessibility features, but they’re
not always obvious, so ask before you go. Unfortunately, many of the older
shrines and temples are at the top of a stairway, so they’re not accessible.
Public restrooms are wheelchair accessible, often with an
entirely separate room for people with disabilities. They’re located at train
stations, tourist attractions, and many public buildings. There’s even an app
that shows where the accessible restroom locations.
As for shopping, Tokyo has an abundance of shopping centers,
unique shops, and even shops at train stations that have exceptional
selections. Top malls have a variety of designers and international clothing
lines, like Coach and Gap. While most stores don’t have dressing rooms, those
that do are wheelchair friendly. If you’re into electronics, be sure to visit
“Akihabara,” which is also called “Electric Town.” You’ll be able to test-drive
various electronics, video games, and many other “toys.”
Of all the international cities, Tokyo offers a variety of
shopping, cultural, and culinary experiences you won’t find anywhere else. And thanks
to the 2020 Paralympic Games, Tokyo is becoming a more wheelchair-friendly city.