From Nagano to Fujikawaguchiko
From Nagano to Fujikawaguchiko
Hello! This is my first post on this site and I am elated to have found this community. I have MS and I am a manual wheelchair user. My husband and I are planning to reschedule our 2020 trip (canceled by COVID) to Japan to 2023.
Part of our itinerary has us going from Nagano to Fujikawaguchiko. While I searched for transport options, I was trying to minimize the number of changes. The only options I am finding seem to take us back to Tokyo and then out to the lakes via trains and two buses. Does anyone know if there are other options? Even if it is a private bus or car and it’s a little more expensive, I don’t mind. I am just looking for a less hectic transfer experience.
Thanks!
Alliejay
- 8 Replies
Hi! We are super-happy to have you here as well!
Yeah, Google loves the bullet train and in terms of transfers, that likely is the smoothest route. However(!) it should be noted that the vast majority of highway coach buses are not accessible. You can store your wheelchair in the luggage area if needed, but you will need to be able to climb the steps into the bus. So, it can work for some people, but not an option if you cannot walk.
In Google maps you can choose your transportation preference and if you choose “train” there is an option where you take 3 trains to get there. It also takes a long time! (See picture)
In general, even in the country trains/stations should be accessible, and stations where you transfer tend to be bigger and better equipped. But this was just a quick search. If you decide to go this route, please let us know and we can check accessibility in more detail. 😀
If you do go for a car, it is about 3 hours. While I think @ohayotravel might be able to help arrange it, it would likely be very expensive for a taxi.
There is a bus connecting from Kofu to Kawaguchiko. Their buses are all accessible (can accommodate one wheelchair or two) as far as I checked with the staff today on the phone. It takes 70-80 minutes from the JR Kofu Station to Kawaguchiko Station, 10 buses per day from departure (Kofu Minami Station) at 7:40 to 19:10.
https://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/rosen/detail/id/8 (unfortunately I could not find any information in English)
The all-train route mentioned above probably is more comfortable, and JR staffs will normally support you changing trains i.e. escorting you to the train you should take, carrying a portable ramp.
Thank you both @ohayotravel and @joshgrisdale .This is very helpful information. I will look into both these options as I do have some limited ability to walk short distances if necessary.
Again, thank you for responding. I have tried posting these questions in other websites and they hardly ever get a response. This is an amazing resource!
It is our pleasure! Ask as many questions as you like! Even if we don’t know immediately we will try to find out. ✌️
I just wanted to add an additional remark to this thread in case anyone in future is looking for similar information. We decided to make some changes to our original itinerary and as it worked out, decided to return from Fuji to Tokyo by car. It was closer to the end of our trip and both my husband and I decided to treat ourselves to a break from all the train transfers and wheelchair pushing (I am partially ambulatory and use a manual wheelchair).
I arranged for a driver to pick us up at our Fuji hotel and drop us off at our Tokyo Hotel with @ohayotravel and could not have been more glad that we did. While hiring a driver is always a higher fee than public transportation, I found @ohayotravel had very fair prices, options for varying levels of disability and a totally stress free experience. They even helped me deal with a credit card glitch on my end so I would definitely recommend them to others in this community.
Thank you for the follow up! Yes, @ohayotravel is incredible!
Even though your trip is over, we hope you stick around and help share your new knowledge with others, for Japan, other places you have visited, or your home country!
You can count on it! I have also shared this site with my neurologist so they can pass it on to their other traveling patients!
@alliejay I am really glad hearing you had a good experience with our service. We will further improve our knowledge/skills and keep up with the expectations of those who wish to come to Japan with the accessibility support needs for information/booking/arrangement for transport/accommodations/attractions. @joshgrisdale I appreciate the compliment.
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