Roll-in shower hotels in Tokyo
Roll-in shower hotels in Tokyo
Hi everyone! My family and I are planning to visit Tokyo in July and my mom is confined to a motorized wheelchair. Finding accommodations has been the most difficult part of our trip as she needs to have a roll-in shower, or a shower chair inside the bath tub. I’ve looked at the accessible-japan website (https://www.accessible-japan.com/wheelchair-accessible-hotels-tokyo/) but have only found 2 hotels so far.
Does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you in advance!
- 16 Replies
Check out this brand-new hotel: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/omo3tokyoakasaka/
Thank you! Do you know if the chair can be moved inside the bath tub?
I have not visited this particular hotel as it is brand-new. However, I did visit a sister property, OMO7 Osaka, a few weeks ago. The staff seemed very accommodating, so I would reach out to them directly to find out for sure. If you can’t find a way to do that on their website, let me know, and I will try to get the contact info for you.
Thank you so much I appreciate it!
Hi,
Yup, that is one of the biggest challenges in Japan for accessible travel. (And a reason I started Accessible Japan.)
First of all, you may want to read this: https://www.accessible-japan.com/lifehack-accessible-hotel-rooms-japan/
I use a power wheelchair and use a shower chair and the lack of roll-in showers often means (carefully) showering on the shower chair beside the bathtub.
Is there a particular area in Tokyo you want to stay in? I can look for more options from there…
If you don’t mind the lack of luxury, Toyoko Inn’s “heartful room b type” has twin beds and the toilet and sink are separate from the unit bath – essentially making it a roll-in shower since the door closes and it becomes a wet room. Toyoko Inn chain is everywhere in Japan and every room is identical, so, no surprises! (You can see it here:https://www.toyoko-inn.com/feature/heartful/?lcl_id=en)
The other end of the spectrum is high-end hotels which often have walk-in showers where you can use a shower chair.
For mid-range, you really need to ask on a case by case basis…
Also, note that while the majority of hotels now have shower chairs, many places still have not gotten the memo and have stools etc that are not very safe if you have mobility challenges! So, you may want to bring your own, or ask the hotel to send a picture of what they have.
Looking forward to discussing this further so you can have an awesome trip!
Hi Josh,
Thank you for all the information, and thank you creating Accessible Japan!
My family and I don’t necessarily have a preference of where to stay in Tokyo. We feel comfortable taking public transportation to places we want to see. But, since it would be our first time visiting then we probably would like to stay in a centralized area.
Something like Shinjuku or Ueno might be good as they have access to several train lines nearby.
Even with a unit bath that has drains on the floor, the staff will want to put the shower chair in the bath tub. This is likely the “correct” location, but adds the challenge of lifting her legs into the tub and standing in the tub. Also, the shower chair will fit in the tub, but it may not be a perfect fit and if the chair is a bit wider, it may not be as stable as you would like. Would that work for your mother?
As mentioned in the article, unit baths have drains in the floors, so – if you aren’t too wild! – you can put the shower chair on more stable ground outside the tub and wash there without much risk of flooding. ( I would recommend removing the toilet paper from beside the toilet though!). Would that work?
Will start looking for places, but just wanted to get a better grip of what you feel is possible (or would rather avoid).
Hi Josh, any recommendations for Ueno? Am booked to visit Tokyo between 22Apr to 7thMay, mid range if possible? Fyi I have ALS but can still walk with a walker inside but outside mostly wheelchair now. Maybe I can still use the unit type showers unless I deteriorate super fast over next two month. Will be travelling with my spouse.
Hi,
The only two I have for Ueno are:
https://www.accessible-japan.com/hotels/japan/tokyo/taito/mid-range/mitsui-garden-hotel-ueno/
and
https://www.accessible-japan.com/hotels/japan/tokyo/taito/low-range/toyoko-inn-ueno-tawaramachi-eki/
The Toyoko Inn has a separate wetroom/shower room with a shower chair.
Sorry I don’t have more right now.
Going through the hotel list again, definitely reminded how few roll-in showers are available!
Not super convenient but The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Shiodome has a fairly good shower. (https://www.accessible-japan.com/hotels/japan/tokyo/minato/high-range/the-royal-park-hotel-tokyo-shiodome/)
If I remember correctly, water comes out of those arms as well.
Centurion Hotel Grand Akasaka has a nice roll-in shower.
Great info, thank you, Ean!
Thank you!
Hi Ean. Just wondering if you’ve stayed here. I notice the room is 23m2 which looks on the small side compared with the size of other accessible rooms I’ve been looking at. Just wondering how you found it space wise generally?
The Universal Rooms of Keio Plaza Hotel (Shinjuku) are well designed for wheelchair users. The hotel has a long history of working for the accessibility of their services. The rooms have nice views from the 30th floor, too. Maybe you should check it if it is not on your list. https://www.keioplaza.com/rooms/universal.html
nice to meet you.
I am disseminating information on accessible hotels in Japan on the web.
Is this page helpful?It is in Japanese but you can use Google Translate on it.
“Around Tokyo Station”
https://accessible-japan.net/accessible-hotels-around-tokyo-station/“Around Shinjuku Station”
https://accessible-japan.net/accessible-hotels-around-shinjuku/“Tokyo Bay Area”
https://accessible-japan.net/accessible-hotels-tokyo-bay-area/
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