Reply To: Hiroshima Trains/trams wheelchair access.
Hi Gareth,
I also went to Hiroshima to pay my respects at the peace memorial. As for Okonomimura, I’m sorry, I’ve never been there, but according to the floor map on their website there’s an elevator: http://www.okonomimura.jp/floor/index.html Hopefully, the access in the ground floor is accessible. From Google Maps, it looks that there’s a huge staircase going up, but it also seems that you can enter the building at the ground floor and the elevator should be somewhere inside. I’ve found the confirmation on this website (though my Japanese is a bit sketchy): http://asami.webcrow.jp/usagi/Michelin/page02_03.html Apparently, there’s even an accessible toilet on the third floor.
As for Osaka, I would suggest going to Shinsekai to stroll a bit and have lunch or dinner (preferably dinner as the tower and the surrounding streets are all lit up). I like its atmosphere. The area around it isn’t really nice, though. You can get to it by subway (red line, Dobutsuen-mae station). Once you get off, go to Tsutenkaku Tower (using Google Maps) at the heart of Shinsekai and stroll around.
Another option would be to go to Tennoji and go up the Abeno Harukas building. The view from the top is quite amazing. Both places are just one subway stop away from each other (red line, Tennoji).
Finally, if you haven’t done so, for a late lunch I would go to a Kaiten Sushi restaurant. I would suggest Kura Sushi (くら寿司) near Daikokucho station (subway, red line). https://goo.gl/maps/vHuimkxpurG2 The pads to order can be set to English, the food is good and the price is amazing. There’s usually a huge queue that’s why I was suggesting a late lunch (it doesn’t close in the afternoon). When you get off the elevator, that’s located at the parking, you need to get a ticket from a machine. There are two buttons, first it’s the right one (to ask for the counter table, which will be more comfortable with the wheelchair than the booths), then you choose the number of people and then you need to confirm (lower right button I think). A good idea would be to ask for help and ask for the counter (“KAUNTAA” pronounced in Japanese). That way they’ll know that you don’t speak Japanese and might tell you when is your turn (as they call the numbers in Japanese).
Anyway, I hope that you have fun in Osaka!
