The Story Behind tabifolk
How a simple idea became a global movement for accessible travel
It Started With a Question
I’m Josh Grisdale, and I’ve been working on accessible travel in Japan since 2015 through my site, Accessible Japan. Over the years, I received hundreds of emails from travelers asking incredibly specific questions – the kind that were important but too detailed for a general website page.
“Is there a step at this specific hotel entrance?” “Can I get my wheelchair through this train station exit?” “What’s the bathroom like at this restaurant?”
I was happy to answer each email, but something troubled me. These were great questions with valuable answers – yet they disappeared into inboxes, helping just one person at a time.
That’s when it hit me: what if there was a place where people could ask these questions publicly? Where multiple perspectives could weigh in? Where the answers would remain searchable for the next person wondering the same thing?
That idea became tabifolk.
Our Journey
Accessible Japan
Started documenting accessible travel in Japan. Quickly realized people needed more than static guides – they needed real-time answers from real experiences.
The Idea Takes Shape
After years of answering individual emails, I realized we needed a community platform. A place where questions and answers could be shared openly, searched by others, and benefit everyone.
tabifolk Launches
What began as a side project focused on Japan evolved into something bigger – a global hub for accessible travel. The community started growing organically as people found value in shared knowledge.
A Thriving Community
We’ve grown to over 2,600 members across nearly 90 groups, with thousands of posts sharing real experiences. What started in Japan now spans the globe, with travelers, families, and allies connecting every day.
Why This Matters to Me
As a wheelchair user, I know firsthand how frustrating it is to search for accessibility information. You find generic advice that doesn’t answer your specific needs. You read outdated reviews. You see photos that don’t show what you actually need to see.
Worse, you’re often left wondering if you’re the only one asking these questions.
But here’s what I’ve learned: you’re not alone. Thousands of people are planning trips, researching destinations, and facing the same uncertainties. When we share our experiences – the good, the challenging, and everything in between – we make it easier for everyone who comes after us.
That’s what tabifolk is really about. It’s not just a website or an app. It’s a growing network of people who believe that everyone deserves to explore the world – and who are willing to share their knowledge to make that possible.
What We’ve Built Together
2,600+
Community members from around the world sharing experiences and supporting each other’s travel dreams
89+
Destination-specific groups where travelers connect and share detailed local knowledge
3,900+
Discussions that remain public and searchable, helping future travelers find answers
What Drives Us
Real Experiences Over Marketing
We’re not here to sell you anything or paint a rosy picture. tabifolk is built on honest, real-world experiences from travelers who’ve actually been there. If a place has challenges, we talk about them. If something works well, we celebrate it. Authenticity is everything.
Many Voices, Not Just Mine
I started this, but tabifolk isn’t about my perspective alone. It’s about creating space for every voice – every disability, every travel style, every experience level. The strength of our community comes from its diversity.
Knowledge That Lasts
Every question asked and answered here helps someone in the future. We’re building a living resource that grows more valuable with every contribution. Your question today might be someone else’s lifesaver tomorrow.
Community Over Everything
This platform exists because of you – the members who ask questions, share experiences, and support each other. Every feature we add, every decision we make, is guided by what helps the community thrive.
Join Us
Whether you’re planning your first accessible trip or you’ve been traveling for years, there’s a place for you here. Share your story, ask your questions, and help us make the world more accessible together.
– Josh and the tabifolk community