[Oshidori-Shuttle]

I just Google it and found a real estate company who has accommodation for you.

https://www.homes.co.jp/inquire/realtor/mid-121793h5jzLok3_OqM/input/?click_position=friendlydoor_sp_list_single_02

Please try this one, It is written in Japanese, hope you are ok with it.

Good luck!

[Romain]

Thanks, I’ll try to contact this real estate agency. I can read japanese even if I have some difficulties to understand all the kanjis.

Do you know how can I say that a want a wheelchair accessible accomodation with disabled-friendly toilets and bathroom in Japanese please ?

I don’t want them to misunderstand my needs…

Thanks a lot !

[Oshidori-Shuttle]

Hi Romain,

To avoid misunderstanding, ask them to put someone who speaks English or French.

As soon as you get a contact with them then they are sending emails then you can talk about the details.

I think this is the best way.

By the way, this is the answer to your question.

車椅子を使用する人のための住居

Good luck!

[Romain]

Hello,

I did contact them a few days ago, they told me that they cannot provide any accomodation if I am not already based in Japan with a Japanese number, they told me that they could provide me offers when I will be in Japan and that I have to stay at hotels first, but I can’t do this, it’s not even sure that they would find me anything when I’m there….

[Oshidori-Shuttle]

What a pity, but it’s a very Japanese approach.

maybe you need to find someone who can help you.

just Google and found this, you can try this one.

https://www.jasso.go.jp/statistics/gakusei_shogai_kaiketsu/column/column20.html

it says they can help students who has disabilities coming or going to overseas.

just keep trying!

Good luck!

[Tony]

Don’t give up 🙏

[Josh Grisdale]

Hi

I would definitely suggest reading this article:

https://www.accessible-japan.com/yokohama-life-what-i-learned-living-90-days-in-japan-with-a-disability/

[Romain]

Hello Josh, thanks for sharing this article. I’ve just read it. There are a lot of useful information!

I’ll try sending a mail to Oakhouse maybe I could find an accomodation with them.

Can I add you in case I have any further questions ?

• This reply was modified 4 months, 3 weeks ago by  Romain.

[Josh Grisdale]

You can add me as a contact. But I it is also good to keep posting here since we can share knowledge with everyone, including those who might want to be exchange students in the future 👍

[Romain]

Hello Josh, I did contact Oakhouse and the only wheelchair accessible accomodation in Tokyo that they have is 1h 8min from Chuo University with 2 changes of trains, they said it is most likely a not feasible daily commute…

I don’t really know what to do, I’m waiting for other mails reply but even Chuo university told me they’re unable to host me as a exchange student they told me this : ” Generally speaking, it is extremely difficult to find accommodations with accessibility rooms for wheelchair users in Japan.

Maybe you can imagine, Japan is far behind in finding housing and hiring care workers for wheelchair users even in Tokyo.”

It is very discouraging and I really don’t know what to do…

[Josh Grisdale]

@zeng can you offer any suggestions?

Your university helped you, right?

[Jul]

Hello,

Don’t give up.

l am French and we went to visit Japon next year with my husband in électric wheelchair. Everything was easier ( train, métro, help…) to électric wheelchair.

I’am sure that people on this forum Could help You finding a place to stay.

Everything is easier Than in France.

My daugter likes to go to study there too.

I Couldn’t help you more but go on.

[Romain]

Thanks for this encouraging message!

[Wanping Aw]

Hi Romain, I would recommend contacting Chuo Universitys student services to ask for advice.

I did a Google search and many universities around the area like Tokyo University, Ochanomizu Womens University offer accessible rooms in their dormitories on campus. I tried to search for Chuo University, and couldnt find any, but this is could be due to the wrong combination of keywords I used. Do try to talk to your university first! I am sure they can provide some useful information to you 😀

[Romain]

Hello, thanks for your help! I did contact Chuo university in the first place, but their only dormitories are on the Tama Campus, in Hachiōji. However these dormitories are 1h40 away from the Myogadani campus ( where the faculty of law is located since last year). Doing a 1h40 commute to go there and to go back to the dorm is impossible for me. There is also 3 train changes to do, so with my wheelchair it will take way more than 1h40 each time…

Besides that Chuo informed me that they have no other dormitories and told me this ” unfortunately, we guess that Chuo is not able to host you as an exchange student in Law”.

I am still actively searching for an accomodation but I can’t find any except hotels which are really expensive ( for four months I would have to pay 18000 euros).

I still have some hope but I wouldn’t have thought that it was close to impossible finding a wheelchair accessible accomodation in Tokyo…

[Josh Grisdale]

You might want to reach out to DPI Japan about this. They are a disabled rights group and can correspond in English.

https://www.dpi-japan.org/en/

They could possibly suggest some options for housing.

I don’t want to get too political, and I certainly haven’t seen the emails etc, but the university should be legally required to “reasonably accommodate” your needs (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3052 , it became required for private businesses as well this year). DPI provides advocacy services as well. (Note: I’m not suggesting legal action etc, just that DPI could help act as an advocate between you and the university.)

[Romain]

Thanks for your reply I will try to contact them, maybe they help me finding an accomodation we will see…