Visiting Japan
Visiting Japan
Hi there! I’m a new member from Germany. Love to connect and explore.
My girlfriend and I will travel to Japan in April. We would love to go to Osaka for the Expo and to Tokyo. I haven’t booked any flights or accommodation yet and also didn’t look into transportation. So I’d very much appreciate some advice.
Most probably we’ll fly in from Seoul to Osaka, go by train to Tokyo (maybe with a stop along the way) and fly back from there again via Seoul. We’ll have around one month to travel around and explore the country.
Regarding accommodation, we’re quite easy. Everything is fine as long as I can enter without stairs (even one step would be ok). No need to enter the bathroom. And extra wide doors are also not necessary (the width of the wheelchair is only 65 cm). I think the most important thing is that the accommodation should be well located so that it’s easily reachable and is in a nice area to explore.
In terms of transportation, that could be a bit trickier. My wheelchair is a power chair which weighs around 130 kg and thus can’t be just lifted (with 4-5 strong people it’s not impossible, though) and it can’t be folded either. Plus, I definitely prefer to stay in the chair during the trips as I sit much more comfortable and stable in my seat. Having said that, the seat can be separated from the body of the chair, so theoretically I could sit in it on a car seat. And without the seat, the wheelchair is only about 80 cm heigh, maybe even lower- I have to measure that. Anyway, that might open some options. We can also bring a 1.80 m foldable ramp.
We’re also absolutely willing to use public transport where it’s possible. It’s normally much cheaper and you get more in touch with local people and usually see more stuff. We like to be as spontaneous as possible.
Nevertheless, if it’s less effort to move around, it’s better. So if you know any accessible transportation options, specifically from and to the airport, between Cairo and Luxor and for sightseeing, please share!
And if you are yourself in Osaka or Tokyo at the time, we’d be happy to meet up!
Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a great new year!
- 3 Replies
Hi, Christian Bayerlein:
Wilgo offers you the accessible taxi service in Tokyo, although you prefer public transportation in exploring Tokyo. In Osaka, @tak is the accessible taxi service I recommend you.
The cabin of Wilgo, which has three passenger seats and one wheelchair space, looks like as attached picture. I’m curious about your comment, “Having said that, the seat can be separated from the body of the chair, so theoretically I could sit in it on a car seat”. Do you mean that your wheelchair seat can be put on a cabin seat and you sit on it? Some of our passengers with their wheelchair moved to the cabin seat from their wheelchair parked next to the cabin seat which might be comfortable a little bit.
It would be great if you can tell me your wheelchair model name, so that I would be able to understand better what you mentioned in your post.
I would recommend Toyoko Inn chain. They are reasonable, around 9000 yen, close to Train stations, frequently have a ‘Heartful Room’ for wheelchair accessibility, supply a light breakfast and have washers/Dryers in the lobby which is very convenient when traveling in Japan. Coin Laundries are not common and usually found in the ‘Pinky’ district ( Hostess bars, etc.)
I also recommend stocking up with extension cords, etc. Many electric plugs are only 2 prong, not three.
Very good advice! Thank you! 🤎
Log in to reply.