Is it acceptable to use folding stool in japan
Is it acceptable to use folding stool in japan
I am travelling to Japan soon and I have FM and cannot stand still for long periods of time so I am nervous about queues and having to stand and eat. Is it acceptable or rude in Japan to use a folding stool when having to wait in queues, or if I get tired and there is nowhere to sit?
- 4 Replies
Hello Rednaxela,
Depending on what you want to do, queues could be an issue. However, if you steer clear of peak/rush hours you may not have many lines at all to deal with. I avoided these times myself and I didn’t have to wait long in any place I visited in Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, and a few other cities.
As for using a folding chair in long lines, you may get some looks but I don’t think it will be rude unless you block foot traffic for others trying to go around or something (if you’re using a walker with a seat, then you probably wouldn’t get a second look beyond curious onlookers). Finding a place to rest will also depend on the individual location, but because of Japan’s aging population it becoming more popular to have resting area throughout many places. Also, on https://www.accessible-japan.com/ (check it out if you haven’t already), the Accessibility section of many of the attractions reviewed often note if there are resting areas available, great for some pre-planning! Generally speaking, I think you’ll find a seat when you need one. 🙂
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask and we’ll try to get you an answer!
Hope that helps,
-Justin
Thank you
As Justin mentioned, Japan is aging rapidly and you will often see seniors sitting on their walkers.
If it is a small stool it should be no issue, but a camping chair with a drink holder might be too much 😜
Two things you might want to consider:
Getting a “help mark” which is a little red lanyard with a heart and a cross on it that indicates you have an invisible disability. You can get them at subway stations I believe.
You could also rent a wheelchair. Or borrow one at the place you are visiting as most tourist destinations have wheelchairs available these days and you could likely ask to use it while waiting.
Just adding another reply here… I use a manual wheelchair so it was pretty obvious I could not stand for long. That said, I did see a few people (usually elderly) now and again, with those canes that turn into a little sitting stool. For restaurant queues (at food halls or shopping centers) some have chairs lines outside for people to wait for a table, so sitting while waiting is not an unusual thing.
Log in to reply.