General Discussions
Join our global discussion group on accessible travel! Connect, share experiences, and exchange tips... View more
Organizer:
- Organized by
-
renting or buying a electric wheelchair in Japan or bring one from uk.
renting or buying a electric wheelchair in Japan or bring one from uk.
I am told that scooters are not welcome at temples etc. I am happy to buy an electric wheelchair. Should I buy one in Japan?
I am planning a trip in October to Japan and do not want wife to have to push all the time. We are both 70. She can small distance .
We are asking 2 people for their ideas for 22 days. I would like to go to the Japanese Alps and the Kyoto gardens.
- 11 Replies
Hi! 👋
Thank you for posting your question! However, it might be better to put this in the Japan group. Someone may be able to answer here but the Japan group has more experts for that country. 👍
I am not sure how to do it! I thought it was in a japanese discussion.
Tabifolk has groups for each country, here is the one for Japan:
https://www.tabifolk.com/groups/japan/
You can click to join it and then start a discussion there 😊
I don’t know that scooters are not welcome at Japanese temples. Temples generally have many steps to the entrance so it can be difficult to access. They are generally no ramps or elevators.
As far as visiting the Japanese Alps that is possible with a scooter or wheelchair.
I’d recommend going to place called kamikochi.
Usually folks drive to the parking lot and then take a bus to the mountains. There is a paved walkway around the river that can take maybe 2 hours depending how far you want to go and there’s plenty of shops selling food and drinks at the main bridge. Once you get off the bus at the mountains everything is pretty level. There may be someone evenness to the asphalt but should be fine for scooter or wheelchair.
If you can, I’d recommend staying at least one night. They have lodges that you can rent that are a little expensive. Or if you’re okay with camping. The campsite is very accessible and is about $12 per night. You can rent pretty much everything you need there including tent, sleeping mats, blankets, even stoves, etc.
Thank you. i cannot staying in a tent is out! I like your idea but I was thinking of going the route by train.
My information is based on what I was told by a travel agent. In any way it wouldnt be to safer to have a mobile chair. You can get carbon fibre ones which are about 18 kg. That is very good.
I have just heard from one saying that all cherry time people are going and he is very busy so he is going to get in touch in a couple weeks.
As Limg_ling mentioned, there is no scooter restriction at temples etc, but often steps etc. A lot more are adding ramps lately though. Scooters can have more challenge on the trains though due to the turning radius. But those rules are loosening too.
Trains work well for getting around in cities, but in the alps, you may need taxis or a rental car. A folding-chair is a good option. If you are still looking for an agent, I’d highly recommend @ohayotravel as they specialize in accessible travel in Japan and can help arrange transportation and potentially a wheelchair rental.
Thank you for your reply. I have contacted ohayo travel .
About the Japanese Alps, depending on the area that you want to visit, you can go by train to either Takayama or Nakatsugawa. From then on it’s either bus (if you can climb the stairs and stow the wheelchair in the trunk) or taxi, car or any other kind of transportation.
Takayama is quite cool because Takayama Jinya is one of the only temples/palaces that you can visit on your wheelchair/scooter without steps on the way. They put a ramp at the entrance, wipe your tires and you can visit most of the traditional rooms, which is really cool. Here I leave you my Instagram posts with accessibility info on Takayama, Shirakawago, Magome, Tsumago and Narai (the station there is not wheelchair accessible).
https://www.instagram.com/p/BorzxiQhDUp
https://www.instagram.com/p/BorvCsWhRz2
https://www.instagram.com/p/BourWW4BaGi
https://www.instagram.com/p/BojieEChgpb
https://www.instagram.com/p/BocEgPkhwqu
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjYuThoBwSI
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjbTqp6BXaS
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjgnnZZhYeF
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp5_-O-B1aY
I have now booked a visit to Japan from 16th october to 8th November. I loved the pictures but now have to arrange a programme. Best to go from north, Tokyo as a start and finish in Tokyo.
All ideas welcome.
Hello,
For travel suggestions in Japan, you may want to join the Japan group and start a new discussion there. Here is the link to the Japan group: https://www.tabifolk.com/groups/japan/forum/destinations/asia/japan-discussions/
Hopefully there are some experts there that can guide you to some awesome places for your trip!
Thank you. I look forward to seeing some ideas.
Jiten.
Log in to reply.