We’re doing something a little different this issue: an all-theme-park edition. Between a price hike making headlines and two hotels we wanted to spotlight that happen to sit right next to Japan’s two biggest parks, it felt like the right month to pull it all together in one place — Tokyo Disney Resort, Universal Studios Japan, how to actually get to each one, and where to stay nearby without breaking the bank.

In the News: Tokyo Disney Resort Tickets Are Going Up

Oriental Land just announced Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea will raise max adult one-day tickets from ¥10,900 to ¥12,400 this fall — the new prices start over Halloween weekend in mid-October. Kids’ tickets go from ¥5,600 to ¥5,900. Adult tickets are now up over 65% since 2019.

There’s a second change coming next month too: the parks are discontinuing their last free Fast Pass, so skipping lines will require a paid reservation system from here on.

One thing worth knowing if you’re planning an accessible visit: the free Guest Assistance Card for disabled guests is a separate system from Fast Pass/paid reservations, and it’s still free. But the park can turn down applicants who don’t have a Japanese disability passbook, so don’t assume it’ll guarantee line-skipping the way Fast Pass did. With ticket prices up and no more free skip-the-line option, this is a year to plan the day out rather than wing it.

👉 Tokyo Disneyland accessibility guide

Spotlight: Tokyo Disneyland

Opened in 1983 as the first Disney park built outside the United States, Tokyo Disneyland is large enough that much of it is genuinely barrier-free — wide walkways, accessible toilets throughout, and benches and rest areas scattered across the park. The honest caveat: some areas use dirt roads or cobblestone that can be tricky, though alternative routes usually exist, and you’ll need to transfer into a park-issued wheelchair to board most rides even if you bring your own. Some of the more dynamic attractions aren’t available to non-ambulatory guests at all, so it’s worth checking ride-by-ride restrictions on the park’s own site before you go.

👉 Read more

Getting there: the park is a five-minute walk from JR Maihama Station, and sits right next to Tokyo Disneyland Station on the Disney Resort Monorail — both stations are accessible.

Where to stay: Mitsui Garden Hotel PRANA Tokyo Bay is an official Disney partner hotel with free shuttle service to the park, and offers three forest-themed accessible twin rooms with a widened 85cm bathroom. It’s reachable by bus from either Maihama or Shin-Urayasu Station, so it’s a genuinely practical base if you want to skip the monorail transfer entirely.

Spotlight: Universal Studios Japan

Opened in 2001, USJ remains one of the country’s more thoughtfully accessible attractions overall — extra-long accessible parking, a Guest Support Pass system for skipping standard lines, and a Support Book detailing accessibility resources in English and Japanese. As of a 2019 rule change, though, that Guest Support Pass now requires a Japan-issued disability handbook; without one, the park suggests negotiating directly with staff at each attraction instead. The honest headline caveat: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Spider-Man, The Ride are both off-limits to non-ambulatory guests for safety reasons, so Potter fans in particular should know that going in. Jaws and Jurassic Park, The Ride are both wheelchair-accessible, though be ready to get splashed.

👉 Read more

Getting there: it’s a five-minute walk from Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line, which has elevators and an accessible toilet. There’s also a nice alternative if you’re pairing USJ with the Osaka Aquarium: the Captain Line ferry connects the two and is accessible to wheelchairs of all types.

Where to stay: Toyoko Inn Osaka JR Noda Ekimae is a solid budget pick near the park, part of a chain that’s done real work making its hotels wheelchair accessible. The accessible room has its toilet and sink separate from the bathing area, and the hotel can lend a shower chair, non-slip mat, and in-tub chair on request — just note accessible rooms here can only be booked by phone or fax, not online.

🔗 Useful Reminders

• Bringing medication into Japan for the trip? Check our Bringing Medicine guide before you pack, especially if any of the items you take are restricted here.

• Looking for a discount? Read how they work in Japan.

💡 Did You Know?

Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea are the only Disney-branded parks in the world not owned, even partly, by the Walt Disney Company. They’re run entirely by Oriental Land Company, with Disney retaining creative control but no ownership stake — which is part of why Tokyo’s parks have their own exclusive attractions you won’t find anywhere else, Fantasy Springs included.

That’s all for this edition! Been to either park recently, accessible or otherwise? We’d love to hear how it went — drop it in the tabifolk community.

Until next time,
The Accessible Japan Team

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support this work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Booking a hotel or grabbing a Mobal SIM through our links costs you nothing extra and helps keep Accessible Japan going. Want the full guidebook? Our Tokyo Guidebook is available in print or as a free PDF on request. Know someone who’d love this newsletter? Forward it their way.

A month ago I went to Fukuoka. Fukuoka is a major city in the Kyushu region. The city is known for its tonkotsu ramen and the Hakata Dontaku, a major festival held in May each year. There's a lot of really amazing places to visit in Fukuoka and the surrounding areas. I overall found Fukuoka to be a very accessible city.

Public Transpor…

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July is in full swing here, which means Gion Matsuri is filling Kyoto’s streets, Tanabata decorations are going up all over the country, and Osaka’s Tenjin Matsuri is drawing crowds down to the river. It’s also officially visa fee season — as a reminder, the one-time visitor visa jumped from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000 on July 1st, so if you or someone you know is planning a trip, it’s worth flagging before arriving at the embassy counter.

On to this issue: we’re addressing some direct reader feedback, taking an honest look at one of Kyoto’s biggest festival-season landmarks, and walking through how to actually book accessible seats on the Romancecar.

What’s New: Two Fresh Hotel Listings

We’ve added two properties to the database this month, at opposite ends of the country and opposite ends of what “accessible” can mean in practice, which makes them a good pair to look at together.

voco Osaka Central by IHG (Kyomachibori, mid-range) is a genuinely solid general-accessibility pick if Tenjin Matsuri has you in Osaka this month — step-free throughout, a level bathroom floor, and grab bars in the one Premium King Accessible room. But we want to be upfront: the shower here is the standard Japanese layout, a handheld/slide-rail unit over the bathtub with a shower chair on request, not a true roll-in shower. It’s a strong option for an Osaka stay, just not the one to pick if a roll-in shower is non-negotiable for you.

👉 voco Osaka Central by IHG listing

Fuji Speedway Hotel (Oyama, Shizuoka, high-range) is the opposite case — one of our verified roll-in shower properties, with 2 Accessible twin rooms. It opened in late 2022 under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and sits right on the Fuji Speedway circuit, adjoining the Fuji Motorsports Museum, so it doubles as a genuinely fun stop if you’re a motorsport fan making your way toward Mt. Fuji or Hakone this summer.

👉 Fuji Speedway Hotel listing

What the Guidebooks Say / What We’re Saying: Kyoto’s Imperial Palace

If Gion Matsuri has you in Kyoto this month, most travel guides will point you toward the Kyoto Imperial Palace as a must-see — it was the imperial residence for centuries before the move to Tokyo in 1869, and today it sits inside a park that stretches 1,300 by 700 meters. That scale is exactly what we want to flag before you build it into a festival-day itinerary: every path through the grounds is gravel, and while a power wheelchair should manage it fine, manual wheelchair users may find it a genuinely tiring stretch.

There is a real highlight worth the effort, though: Kaninnomiya Mansion, on the grounds, is one of the more thoughtfully accessible buildings we’ve reviewed in Kyoto — a ramped entrance, and nearly every room open to wheelchair users except a small central courtyard. Pair a visit there with a rest on one of the many benches scattered through the park, and it’s a solid, low-key add-on to a Gion Matsuri weekend — just don’t expect quick point-to-point movement between the highlights.

👉 Kyoto Imperial Palace accessibility guide

How to Book Accessible Seats on the Odakyu Romancecar

If Hakone or a Mt. Fuji day trip is anywhere on your summer plans, it’s worth knowing how to book the Romancecar properly — accessible seating (usually Car 5) isn’t something you want to discover doesn’t exist for your chosen train after you’ve already committed to a date. Our full walkthrough covers checking seat availability, selecting an accessible seat from the seat map on desktop or mobile, and handling changes or refunds if your plans shift. One quirk worth knowing upfront: the iOS app is Japanese-only and only available on Japan’s App Store, so we’d recommend just using the browser version instead, on any device.

👉 Full booking guide for accessible Romancecar seats

🔗 Useful Reminders

• Planning your trip: our Japan Accessibility Travel Kit (2026) brings together hotels, tours, transport, medications, and equipment rentals in one place.

• New to Japan’s rail system? Start with our Wheelchair Accessible Trains and Subways primer before you tackle Shinkansen specifics.

• Got a specific accessibility question that no article quite answers? The tabifolk community is built exactly for that.

💡 Did You Know?

Tanabata, celebrated on July 7th, is based on a folktale about two star-crossed lovers — represented by the stars Vega and Altair — who are allowed to meet only once a year, when a bridge of magpies forms across the Milky Way. Across Japan, people write wishes on colorful strips of paper called tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches, hoping theirs will come true before the stars drift apart again for another year.

That’s all for this edition! If you’ve hit a specific accessibility snag planning your own trip — whether it’s a wheelchair dimension, a station transfer, or something else entirely — tell us about it. Specifics like JeniSkunk’s are exactly what help us make this newsletter and the site more useful for the next person facing the same question.

Until next time,
The Accessible Japan Team

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support this work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Booking a hotel or grabbing a Mobal SIM through our links costs you nothing extra and helps keep Accessible Japan going. Want the full guidebook? Our Tokyo Guidebook is available in print or as a free PDF on request. Know someone who’d love this newsletter? Forward it their way.

By Anthony Tipling-Bower

If you've searched for a map of Ueno Park before your trip, you've probably already found our downloadable park map. It's useful — but a PDF can't tell you which dotted line to trust, which shrine steps you can skip, or where the nearest working toilet actually is. So here's the guide that goes with the map: how to actually get a…

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How are you guys? For those reading this in the northern hemisphere, are you adjusting to the hotter summer months? The weather in Tokyo is definitely getting warmer, but we’re still enduring our rainy season, with persistent downpours.

As we enter July, we look forward to the historic Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, Tanabata (also known as the Star Festival) celebrations all over Japan, and the Tenjin Matsuri river procession being held in Osaka. And that’s simply to highlight a few of the many culturally engaging events taking place this month. It’s a wonderful time of year to visit, as long as you don’t mind the heat!

In this edition, we're focusing on a couple of things that come up again and again in the accessible travel community about Japan: finding a hotel room with a proper roll-in shower, and making the most of the Shinkansen. Plus a little cultural curiosity to round things off. Hope you enjoy!

VISA NEWS: From July 1st, 2026, the cost of a one-time visitor visa is increasing from ¥3,000 (~$18) to ¥15,000 (~$93), and multi-entry visas will rise from ¥6,000 (~$36) to ¥30,000 (~$186). The fivefold price hike marks the first time Japan has increased visa fees in almost 50 years.

Japanese Hotel Rooms with Roll-in Showers

Roll-in showers remain quite elusive in the Japanese hotel scene. The majority of hotels with accessible rooms have bathrooms where a disabled guest can sit on a shower chair next to a bathtub, and wash themselves with a handheld showerhead they pull towards them, away from the tub. Water drains away in the plug hole situated in the centre of the bathroom floor. It essentially turns the bathroom into a makeshift wet room, but the setup is less than ideal.

We’ve compiled a list of all hotels featured on the Accessible Japan website that are verified as having roll-in showers in their accessible guest rooms.

View that list!

Did you know? In Japan, falling asleep at your desk isn't always seen as unprofessional. In fact, the practice of inemuri—which means "sleeping while present"—can be viewed as a sign that you've been working so hard you're simply exhausted. It's not an invitation to take a long nap, but rather a brief doze while remaining available and engaged. You'll often spot commuters nodding off on trains or office workers taking a quick power nap during the day. While attitudes are changing in some workplaces, inemuri remains a fascinating example of how cultural norms around work and rest can differ.

Have you ridden the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) before?

The Shinkansen is on almost every traveler's list when visiting Japan — and with strong wheelchair accessibility throughout the network, visitors with disabilities can experience the bullet train's famous speed for themselves.

Find everything from general advice to how to book a ticket, all on our website.

Get the full run down

Planning your trip: The Japan Accessibility Travel Kit (2026) brings together everything in one place: hotels, tours, transport, medications, equipment rentals, and more.

Welcoming Ohana Support Care Taxi

We are thrilled to welcome Ohana Support Care Taxi to the accessible travel family! Based in Chiba, this friendly service is run by a certified care worker who operates a lift-equipped Toyota Hiace capable of carrying up to two wheelchairs (including electric and reclining models) or a stretcher. It’s the perfect, stress-free option for English-speaking travelers heading to Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, or Tokyo Disney Resort. Just remember to book in advance, ensure your trip starts or ends in Chiba, and carry cash for payment.

Book a taxi now

Mt.Fuji Viewing and Lake Kawaguchi Accessible Tour

Spend your time exploring Lake Kawaguchi and its surroundings while viewing the spectacular Mt. Fuji. Journey out from Tokyo on a specialized vehicle with your friendly English-speaking guide for a memorable time.

View schedule and find out how to book

That’s all for this edition! Until next time…

The Accessible Japan Team

Planning for any trip can be exciting, and planning for a trip to Japan is no different, even if you’re someone who uses a wheelchair. The country has made huge strides in accessibility in the last decade, with particular attention paid to train stations, smoother sidewalks, and attractions that are welcoming for everyone. However, there is still one ma…

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We’re going to keep the intro brief this issue — because there’s something we need to ask you before anything else.

Our survey in partnership with Tokyo’s volunteer tourism program is closing very soon, and we still need more responses. It takes just a few minutes, and your answers will directly shape how accessible guided tours in Tokyo are designed going forward. If you haven’t filled it in yet, please do — and if you have, thank you. Please consider sharing it with anyone you know who has experience traveling with a disability.

👉 Take the survey here

Your voice matters here. These are the kinds of surveys that actually get read by the people building the programs. We’d love to see as many responses as possible before it closes on the 16th of June, so please don’t leave it until later.

Now, on to some exciting new content...

🌋 NEW LISTINGS: Kagoshima — Japan’s Volcanic South

Joan, one of our fantastic contributors, has been busy exploring Kagoshima, a city in the far south of Kyushu that often gets overlooked in favor of the big-name destinations further north. We think that’s a mistake — and our two new listings make the case.

Sengan-en Garden

There aren’t many gardens in the world where you look up from a koi pond and see an active volcano. Sengan-en is one of them.

This former Edo-period villa, once home to the rulers of southern Kyushu, is designed as a “borrowed landscape” garden — meaning the view of the bay and Sakurajima’s volcano across the water is considered part of the composition itself. It’s genuinely beautiful, and about half of it is wheelchair accessible.

We won’t pretend it’s without limitations — the most traditional parts of the garden, including the main house and bamboo grove, involve stairs, and some routes include gravel and steep slopes. But the accessible portion is substantial, there are three accessible restrooms throughout the grounds, and there’s even a Japanese restaurant on the second floor of the main gift shop building with views of the volcano. The admission price (1,600 yen, or 800 yen for disability certificate holders) also includes the museum next door.

We cover the transport options in detail — including a tip on which station to travel from to avoid getting stranded at an unstaffed stop.

👉 Read our Sengan-en accessibility guide

Sakurajima Volcano Island

Visible from all over Kagoshima, Sakurajima is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes — sending ash plumes into the sky almost daily. And while summiting it is off the table for wheelchair users, getting there and exploring its shores is far more accessible than you might expect.

The ferry over is largely accessible (three of the four vessels have elevators, accessible toilets, and a designated wheelchair space), the coastal trail is a smooth boardwalk for its first kilometer, and the outdoor foot bath along the way — with views across the sea — has a dedicated priority spot with grab bars specifically for people with disabilities. It’s one of those genuinely lovely details that makes you feel genuinely welcome.

A calm, quieter alternative to Japan’s busiest cities, Sakurajima makes for an unusual and memorable day out.

👉 Read our Sakurajima accessibility guide

🦁 NEW LISTING: Namba Yasaka Shrine, Osaka

Namba Yasaka Shrine has one of the most striking pieces of architecture you’ll find at any shrine in Japan: a giant lion-head building, several storeys tall, whose open mouth is said to swallow evil spirits and bring good fortune. It’s the kind of thing that stops you in your tracks.

The good news for wheelchair users is that the stone-tile paths leading right up to the lion-head pavilion are smooth and accessible, and the south and west entrances to the grounds are both step-free. There are limitations elsewhere in the complex — the main shrine building requires steps, the goshuin counter involves deep gravel, and the on-site toilets aren’t accessible — but as a brief stop on an Osaka itinerary, it’s entirely worth it.

A short walk from Namba station, it’s easy to combine with a wider day out in one of Japan’s most wheelchair-friendly cities.

👉 Read our Namba Yasaka Shrine accessibility guide

🔗 USEFUL REMINDERS

Planning your trip: The Japan Accessibility Travel Kit (2026) brings together everything in one place: hotels, tours, transport, medications, equipment rentals, and more.

Looking for an accessible hotel in Osaka? Our Osaka accessible hotel guide covers the city’s best options across all budgets.

In Osaka, need a specialist travel agent? Browse our Accessible Travel Agents directory for agencies that handle everything from wheelchair-accessible tours to custom itineraries in Osaka and beyond, throughout Japan.

💡 DID YOU KNOW?

Kagoshima is often called the “Naples of the East”, a nod to its warm climate, its dramatic bay setting, and the active volcano visible across the water. Whether you’ve been to Naples or not, once you see Sakurajima from the ferry, you’ll understand the comparison.

That’s all for this edition! And please — if you haven’t taken the survey yet, there’s still time. Your answers will genuinely make a difference.

👉 Take the survey

Until next time, The Accessible Japan Team

Welcome back to The Access Dispatch! We’ve had a busy few weeks at Accessible Japan, with new articles, new hotel content, and some genuinely exciting news to share about eating safely in Japan.

June means two things in Japan: tsuyu — the rainy season — and the start of the summer festival calendar. If you’re visiting or planning, there’s plenty to look forward to. And if you’re at home daydreaming about Japan, there’s plenty of fresh content on our site to help you get those plans moving. Let’s dive in!

Help shape accessible tourism

Tokyo’s Building Better Accessible Tours

Tokyo’s volunteer guide program wants to know what travelers with disabilities actually need from an accessible guided tour. Your answers shape what they build next.

Take the survey

🌧️ SEASONAL NOTE: Tsuyu (Rainy Season)

June marks the arrival of tsuyu, Japan’s annual rainy season, which typically runs from early June through mid-July across most of Honshu. If you’re heading to Japan this month, don’t let it put you off — it’s rarely a constant downpour, and the cooler, quieter atmosphere it creates can actually make sightseeing more pleasant for wheelchair users navigating usually crowded attractions.

A few quick tips:

• Pack a compact umbrella — most convenience stores (konbini) stock them cheaply if you forget.

• Wet floors can be slippery. Many indoor venues increase their floor-wiping frequency during the rainy season, but it’s worth slowing down in the entrance areas.

• Crowds thin out. Many tourists avoid Japan in June, which means shorter queues, more space at popular sites, and easier navigation.

🎉 FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT: Sanno Matsuri — Tokyo’s Great Summer Festival

2026 is a big year for this one!

One of Tokyo’s three great festivals, the Sanno Matsuri at Hie Shrine in Nagatachō runs through mid-June. Crucially, the full grand festival — including its spectacular Sanno Grand Parade — only takes place in even-numbered years, which means 2026 is the real deal.

The parade features over 500 people dressed in traditional Edo-period costume, carrying elaborate floats along a route that winds through central Tokyo. It’s an incredible piece of living history — and the route passes through some of Tokyo’s most accessible areas, making it watchable from street level.

What about the shrine itself? Our listing on Accessible Japan covers this with honesty. Hie Shrine’s steep hill makes it very challenging for wheelchair users and those with mobility aids. However, escalators are available at some entrances, and much of the festival activity — including food stalls, communal dances, and the parade itself — takes place on surrounding streets where access is considerably easier. The Sanno Ondo bon odori dance event in the public square at Sanno Park Tower (nearby) is a particularly accessible option. The square is flat, open, and accompanied by taiko drums and food stalls — a genuinely inclusive festival experience.

👉 Read our Hie Shrine accessibility guide

🍽️ NEW ON THE SITE: Eating Safely in Japan — The FOOD SAFE PASS

Food allergies and dietary restrictions don’t always come up in conversations about accessible travel — but maybe they should. A recent survey found that nearly half of travelers with allergies or dietary restrictions have given up on a trip entirely because of food concerns. Japan’s restaurant scene, for all its brilliance, presents some specific challenges here that are worth understanding before you go.

We’ve written up a full breakdown of a new initiative from MIMARU and matoil that we think is genuinely worth knowing about — particularly if food safety is a factor in your travel planning.

👉 Read the full article

📖 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: “Yes, You Can Visit Japan.”

We know Japan can feel like a daunting destination — especially when you’re not sure how the accessibility stacks up. That’s why we love this recent piece on our site: “Yes, You Can Visit Japan: How to Navigate Tokyo and Beyond with a Disability.”

It’s the kind of article that’s perfect to send to a friend, family member, or carer who needs convincing — or reassurance — that Japan is genuinely worth it. Because it is.

👉 Read the article

🔗 USEFUL REMINDERS

A few resources worth bookmarking if you haven’t already:

Planning your trip: Our Japan Accessibility Travel Kit (2026) pulls together every essential resource in one place — SIM cards, transport, accessible hotels, tours, medications, equipment rentals, and community support. Think of it as your pre-trip checklist.

Need a specialist travel agent? Our Accessible Travel Agents directory lists agencies specialising in wheelchair-accessible tours, deaf-friendly travel, and support for a range of mobility and sensory needs.

Arriving by air? Our Haneda Airport accessibility guide covers everything from assistance services to getting into the city.

💡 DID YOU KNOW?

Japan is the only country in the world where a reigning emperor has voluntarily abdicated in living memory — Emperor Akihito stepped down in 2019, ushering in the Reiwa era under Emperor Naruhito. The word Reiwa (令和) is often translated as “beautiful harmony” — not a bad motto for a country that’s been quietly making enormous strides in accessible travel.

That’s it for this edition! Whether you’re already in Japan enjoying (or enduring) tsuyu, or planning your trip from afar, we hope there’s something in here that makes your adventure a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.

As always, if you have a hotel you’d like us to look into, or a story to share from your own accessible travels in Japan, drop us a comment or head over to tabifolk.com — our community is always happy to hear from fellow travelers.

Until next time, The Accessible Japan Team

Last summer I joined a test run of the Tokyo Volunteer Guides’ accessible tour at the Imperial Palace. I’ve lived in Tokyo for over 18 years and figured I knew the route well enough - but I still picked up things I’d never heard before, like the history of the moats, and I appreciated how much advance work the guides had put into finding the most accessible path through the palace grounds. Full write-up here: Testing Tokyo’s Accessible Tour at the Imperial Palace.

It was a great tour. It’s also great to see Tokyo being proactive and actively asking travelers with disabilities what they want before building the program out further.

Which is where I’d like to ask a favor. The team behind the tour has put together a short survey, and I’d really appreciate it if you’d fill it out. Your answers feed directly into improvements to Tokyo’s accessible tours page. They also help make the case that accessible travel is a meaningful audience that has to be part of how the city plans tourism — which is what shapes future tours and programs.

You don’t need to have been to Tokyo to take this. The survey asks about your accessibility needs, what information you’d want before booking a tour, and what you think of the current accessible tour page - questions you can answer whether Tokyo is somewhere you’ve already visited or somewhere you’re still thinking about. Every answer helps.

Take the Survey

Thanks!

— Josh

This month, we’re sharing our brand new Haneda Airport guide, or should we say, hub piece, with everything you need to know when passing through.

Haneda Airport: Your Accessible Gateway to Tokyo

Everything you need to know about getting through Haneda and into the city, as a wheelchair user or traveller with a disability.

Get your guide

We’re currently in Golden Week here in Japan, a time synonymous with domestic travel due to multiple public holidays occurring within a short period. Check out our guide to Golden Week and important tips for wheelchair users when planning travel during this time.

Golden Week Japan: What Wheelchair Users Need to Know Right Now

Read more

Did you know, we often receive messages from folks wanting to know how to go about renting a wheelchair while in Japan. So, we thought it might be prudent to point you guys in the direction of the following article on our site:

How to Rent a Wheelchair in Japan: A Step-by-Step Guide (Plus Other Mobility Equipment Rentals)

Get your guide

FUN FACT: 🍉 In Japan, some farmers grow square watermelons! They place the melons into square glass boxes while they’re still growing, so they take on the shape of the mold. They were originally invented in the 1970s by a farmer who wanted them to stack more easily in refrigerators. They’re now also grown in heart shapes, pyramids, and even face shapes!

The funny twist? They’re usually too expensive to eat, sometimes selling for over US$100 each, so most of them end up as decorative display pieces or luxury gifts rather than actual food.

Need help with that planning? See our Travel Agents & Custom Tour Planners page.

Finally, don’t forget, if you’re looking for a hotel in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, or beyond, check out our dedicated hotels page for inspiration and to find somewhere accessible to rest your head while in Japan!

This month, we have a flurry of fresh activity on our website to share with you, plus some important reminders of pages that have been fixtures for a while!

We’ll start, however, with a number of brand new hotel listings — three from Tokyo and one from Kyoto…

1. HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, TOKYO ↗
   Mid-century, modern style. 538 guest rooms spread across floors 18 and 20-38 of Kabukicho Tower. The hotel offers fantastic views of the city. There is one accessible (twin) room.

2. BELLUSTAR TOKYO ↗
   The Bellustar is also housed within Kabukicho Tower, spread over floors 18 and 39-47, with 97 rooms. There are four dining venues on floor 45.

3. MIMARU KYOTO SHINMACHI SANJO ↗
   An apartment-style hotel in central Kyoto’s Nakagyo ward, about a five-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line. The Accessible Japanese Apartment sleeps up to four guests with two single beds and two futons.

4. MIMARU TOKYO KINSHICHO ↗
   The Mimaru Tokyo Kinshicho is also an apartment-style hotel in Tokyo’s Sumida ward. The property has 82 non-smoking rooms, each designed for groups of up to seven guests. There is one accessible apartment with four single beds.

For more hotel options across various cities in Japan, head to our ‘Accessible Hotels in Japan’ page.

Next up, we have an older piece but with fresh information — ‘Charging Your Wheelchair or Scooter in Japan’.

Keeping your power wheelchair or scooter charged while traveling in Japan is essential — and for most people, it's as simple as checking a label on your charger and picking up a cheap plug adapter.

For more must-know information that will assist you when organizing your trip to Japan, head to our ‘Planning Your Accessible Trip to Japan’ page on our website.

We have a couple of accessible tour options to share with you, perfect if you want to see more of Japan, with an expert guide.

1. RETRO KARAHORI FOOD TOUR, OSAKA ↗
   Visit nostalgic neighbourhoods, try authentic local eats, venture off the beaten track, and enjoy the laid-back pace. All while making sure everything is accessible.

2. KYOTO CASUAL PONTOCHO EVENING FOOD TOUR ↗
   This accessible tour features highlights such as Lantern-Lit Alleyways, 10–12 Curated Dishes, Geisha Culture Stories, and Local Sake Tasting.

For more accessible tours, head to our dedicated ‘Accessible Tours in Japan’ page on our website.

Fun fact: During Japan's feudal period, wealthy lords built homes with deliberately squeaky floors — known as Nightingale Floors — as a defense against ninjas. The floors were engineered to chirp like birds underfoot, making it impossible to sneak through undetected.

Spring is right ahead of us on the horizon, with Shunbun no Hi (a national holiday in Japan where the lengths of day and night are equal) marking the official commencement of the season. The holiday usually occurs on either the 20th or 21st of March, and is a wonderful time of year to visit Japan, especially for those seeking a little less snow and a little more cherry blossom!

It’s also the perfect time to start planning potential trips to Japan, which is why we’re excited to share more details about our new accessible travel agency directory.

The agencies listed on our new directory specialise in accessible and disability travel. They offer services such as wheelchair-accessible tours, deaf-friendly travel, and specific support for those with mobility needs. Whether you want a fully guided accessible tour, a custom itinerary, accessible cruise excursions, or a complete travel package that manages all accessibility details, you’ll be able to find it!

Keeping the theme of travel planning, this month’s edition of The Access Dispatch is inspired by an article from The Times’ website, titled: ‘12 of the most beautiful places in Japan’. We thought it might be a nice idea to highlight a couple of the places they mentioned and share links from our website where you can find out more information, plus a hotel suggestion near one of those locations.

Make your Japan trip easier and more meaningful — choose Mobal for SIMs, eSIMs, or pocket Wi-Fi. Your purchase helps support Accessible Japan’s mission and education projects in Malawi - and it doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Kenrokuen, Ishikawa prefecture

What The Times said:
“Originally, the garden was a private pleasure ground that belonged to nearby Kanazawa Castle and could only be enjoyed by the ruling Maeda clan. It was opened to the public in the 1870s and is now famous for its pretty ponds, pathways, fountains, and decorative features, such as the famous Kotoji Toro stone lantern.”

What we’re saying:
The garden is quite beautiful, but there are certainly limitations due to the hills – particularly for those in manual wheelchairs or using walkers. Since it is located next to Kanazawa Castle, though, it is definitely worth checking out both places at the same time.

Find out more >

Need to rent a powered chair or scooter whilst in Japan? Rent a WHILL power chair or scooter and get moving with ease. Booking via our link helps support what we do at Accessible Japan!

Nikko Toshogu

What The Times said:
”In the mountains north of Tokyo, Nikko combines a striking natural setting with elegant and historic shrines and temples. Chief among them is the ornate Toshogu, where each building is adorned with complex, brightly painted wood carvings by the best 17th-century artisans.”

What we’re saying:
As a UNESCO site, Nikko Toshogu Shrine is historically significant, but visitors should note its distance and limited accessibility, especially for wheelchair users. Being a heritage site, accessibility likely won't improve. Most of the site is viewable on Google Street View, allowing visitors to see inaccessible areas before visiting. The good news is that you CAN definitely visit and see the famous ‘See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil’ monkeys!

Find out more >

Hotel Rec: Hotel Intergate Kanazawa

Hotel Intergate Kanazawa offers a spacious Universal Twin Room designed for full wheelchair maneuverability, featuring a comfortable seating area and twin beds. The accessible bathroom is thoughtfully equipped with a wide entrance, roll-under sink, and comprehensive grab bars for the toilet and tub, which also includes a handheld showerhead and space for a shower chair. For added convenience, guests also have access to a public accessible restroom located on the first floor.

See more details >

Fun Fact: Japan actually has a "Century-Old Shops Association." It’s basically the ultimate "Old Boys Club," but you have to wait 100 years just to get an invite.

Stay warm

It can get really cold in the winter. Be sure to pack warm, especially if you have issues in the cold. It can also get windy near the station and that can make the cold even worse.
If you get too cold, I would recommend going to cafes, restaurants or museums to warm up. The city has a lot of cafes around and one wouldn’t be too far from anywhere in the city.

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This post is sponsored by Tokyo Hotel Express, but all opinions and experiences shared are my own.

Travel is physically demanding. And when you add mobility challenges into the mix, those demands multiply. You already know that if you’re reading this site.

I travel with a companion who helps me navigate Japan. Doors, elevators, the thousand small accessibility challenges that come up every day. The thing is, we’ve got two people’s worth of luggage and I can’t help carry any of it. So my companion deals with doors and elevators (often requiring two trips as elevators here in Japan are small!), plus pushing, pulling, or carrying double the bags through train stations, onto buses, up to hotel counters, etc.

It’s difficult physically. But it also adds stress to situations that are already stressful – arriving in a new city after a long flight, making a tight connection between airports. Every extra bag is another thing to manage when you’re already managing a lot.

Which is why I wanted to tell you about Tokyo Hotel Express.

About the Founder

Hitoshi Asami runs Tokyo Hotel Express. His background is banking and went overseas to get an MBA. When he came back to Japan and was figuring out what to do next, he took various jobs. One of them was working at an airport delivery counter.

That’s where he saw a need. Travelers struggling with heavy bags. Families juggling kids and suitcases. Elderly visitors trying to make connections. People in wheelchairs who couldn’t manage their luggage on top of everything else. The existing services helped, but there were gaps.

So he started Tokyo Hotel Express to fill them.

More than a luggage delivery company, his stated mission is to be a “concierge and rest stop for people with mobility restrictions at airports” and help them maximize their time in Japan. His vision is a society where everyone can enjoy their stay in Japan seamlessly, regardless of their mobility situation.

He’s also thinking long-term about employing people with disabilities in the airport operations side of the business. Creating opportunities while providing a service that helps travelers with similar challenges. Something that resonates with Accessible Japan’s vision.

A Real Example

Mr. Asami told me a story that shows what this service does in practice.

An elderly Japanese woman living in the US used the service at Haneda. She needed to get to Hakone immediately to meet family, but her luggage needed to go to a hotel she wouldn’t reach for a few days. Tokyo Hotel Express handled it. She was able to travel light and the luggage showed up at her hotel when it was needed.

Two months later, the same customer came back to Japan for New Year’s with her partner who uses a wheelchair. They were landing at Narita with large bags and had a two-hour connection to a domestic flight to Kansai. Their flight got delayed 40 minutes due to strong winds, which meant they’d have to move fast through the airport. The customer messaged Tokyo Hotel Express from her phone while still on the plane and asked Mr. Asami to take all four bags instead of the originally planned three. When the couple landed and cleared immigration, Mr. Asami was waiting at the arrivals exit in his bright orange shirt with the company’s fox character on it. They handed over their bags and headed straight to their connecting flight.

They made their connection in time and the luggage arrived in Kansai the next day.

Without that instant communication and someone ready to take the bags at the exit, an elderly traveler helping a wheelchair user navigate four large bags through a Japanese airport in under two hours wouldn’t have been realistic.

The Basics

You can contact Tokyo Hotel Express via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or by their inquiry form. Before you fly, give them your name, arrival details, and where you want your bags delivered. They’ll create a shipping label and send it to you for confirmation, then send you a payment link. Everything’s handled online before you land.

On arrival day, you’ll meet them at the airport exit. Look for the orange shirt with the fox character, hand over your bags, and you’re done.

Your luggage goes through Yamato Transport, so you’ll get a tracking number and can follow everything with delivery notifications. If you have questions along the way, you can message them on whatever platform you’re using.

Pricing:

Next day delivery anywhere in Japan: ¥6,000

Same day to Tokyo hotels (23 wards, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki): ¥8,000. Deadline is 7:00 PM so most international arrivals work.

They also help with getting Suica cards if you need one and save you from figuring out ticket machines when you just want to get into the city.

Why I’m Recommending This

For me and my companion, this means the difference between a stressful arrival and a manageable one. My companion can help me get to where I want to go instead of wrestling with luggage. We save energy for actually enjoying the destination instead of burning it all getting there.

If you’re traveling solo with a disability, you don’t have to ask strangers for help with your bags. If you’re elderly or traveling with kids, you have one less thing to manage. The service makes Tokyo more accessible from the moment you land.

Questions You Probably Have

How much does luggage delivery from Tokyo airports cost?

¥6,000 for next-day delivery anywhere in Japan. ¥8,000 for same-day delivery to hotels in Tokyo (23 wards, Chiba, Yokohama, and Kawasaki). You pay online with a credit card before arrival.

How do I arrange luggage delivery from Haneda or Narita?

Contact Tokyo Hotel Express via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or their inquiry form before your flight. Give them your arrival details and hotel address. They create your shipping label and send a payment link. On arrival, meet their staff at the airport exit - they’re wearing an orange shirt with a fox logo. Hand over your bags. That’s it.

Can I track my luggage after I hand it over?

Yes. They use Yamato Transport for delivery. You get a tracking number and can follow your luggage through the Yamato system with real-time updates and delivery notifications.

How far in advance do I need to book?

You can book up until you board your flight to Japan. Some customers have contacted them while already in the air and arranged pickup. However booking a few days in advance is best if you want confirmation before traveling.

Is this service actually good for wheelchair users or travelers with mobility challenges?

That’s what it was designed for. Mr. Asami worked at an airport counter and saw travelers with disabilities struggling with luggage on top of navigation challenges. Meeting at the arrivals exit means no need to find counters or navigate airport facilities with heavy bags. The whole point is removing that barrier.

What if my flight is delayed?

They’ll wait up to about 3 hours for delayed flights. You can message them through WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger with your updated arrival time. They monitor flights and can adjust pickup times. Keep in mind that if your flight is significantly delayed, your luggage might not arrive at your destination on the originally scheduled date.

Do they deliver to Airbnb or private addresses?

Yes, they deliver to hotels, Airbnb addresses, and private homes anywhere in Japan. Just provide the complete address when booking. Important: in the case of an Airbnb or private home, someone needs to be there to receive the luggage. Most delivery companies don’t do porch or doorstep drop-offs - if no one is home when the driver arrives, they’ll take the luggage back and you’ll need to arrange redelivery.

How to Book

If you’re planning to land at Tokyo and this would help:

• Website: tokyohotelexpress.com

• Inquiry form: forms.gle/Pr2Q3DzSDKRZBHeg6

• Or contact them on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger for quick questions.

They’re running a feedback survey right now – complete it and you get a 50% discount coupon for your next use. Complete the survey.

Wheelchair Access Guide to Dazaifu Tenmangu and Fukuoka

See our piece on navigating Fukuoka and the historic Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine from a wheelchair user's perspective. From the incredibly accessible transit links at Hakata Station to the thoughtful amenities at the Miyako Hotel, discover how this vibrant city makes exploring Japan’s history and famous street food culture easier than ever.

Read more

Make your Japan trip easier and more meaningful — choose Mobal for SIMs, eSIMs, or pocket Wi-Fi. Your purchase helps support Accessible Japan’s mission and education projects in Malawi - and it doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Back to Tottori: Accessibility Progress in Japan’s Quietest Prefecture

Learn more about one of Japan's quietest prefectures, which offers nothing short of a masterclass in modern hospitality, whilst not skimping on the access. From iconic sand dunes to riding on the newly upgraded Yakumo Express, this location offers a stress-free alternative to the country's busier tourist hubs.

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Need to rent a powered chair or scooter whilst in Japan? Rent a WHILL power chair or scooter and get moving with ease. Booking via our link helps support what we do at Accessible Japan!

Japan Accessibility Travel Kit (2026)

Planning a trip to Japan with a disability can feel overwhelming – different accessibility standards, unfamiliar transportation systems, and a language barrier. This Japan Accessibility Travel Kit is designed to remove that anxiety.

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A New Way to Find Accessible Dining in Japan: Tabelog Launches Multilingual App

Finding the perfect restaurant in Japan just got a lot easier for international visitors. Tabelog, the country’s most popular restaurant search and reservation platform, has officially launched its multilingual smartphone app for iOS and Android.

Find out more

DID YOU KNOW?

Japan is home to the world's oldest continuously operating business, Kongō Gumi, a temple-building company that has been in business since 578 AD.

Do you think it was accessible back then? 😂

New Hotel Listings:

HOTEL Hoshitori Terrace Sekigane

HOTEL Hoshitori Terrace Sekigane is an inclusive onsen resort in Tottori with accessible rooms, dog-friendly stays, and a rooftop terrace for stargazing in a protected dark-sky area. Guests can relax in natural hot springs and enjoy elegant kaiseki meals made with local ingredients like Tottori wagyu and crab.

Uncover more

Looking for a travel agent specializing in accessible travel in Japan? Check out our list of travel agents here: ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL AGENTS

Ace Hotel Kyoto

Ace Hotel Kyoto combines a renovated landmark from the 1920s with striking contemporary design, establishing a vibrant cultural center featuring art, events, and exceptional dining in the city center. Renowned for its dedication to LGBTQ+ inclusion, accessibility, and pet-friendly policies, this award-winning hotel provides chic rooms, considerate services, and an inviting environment for every guest.

Get the details

With a database of nearly 890,000 establishments and over 85 million reviews, Tabelog is the gold standard for locals. Unlike global travel sites that often highlight tourist-heavy spots, Tabelog allows travelers to tap into authentic ratings from Japanese foodies to find hidden neighborhood gems.

(Read more on the website or become a paid subscriber to get full stories in your inbox)

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This was my second visit; I first traveled here in 2020 to explore the famous sand dunes and see some of the region’s emerging accessibility features. When I was invited to return this year – this time to meet with local accessible travel providers and give a seminar on accessible travel – I was excited to go back and unwind.

For those who want a bit of background, you can check out my earlier Tottori article on Accessible Japan. Consider this post a continuation – a deeper dive into the progress, the people, and the places that make Tottori such a special destination on Japan’s western coast.

Getting There: The New Yakumo Limited Express

While most guidebooks suggest flying into one of Tottori’s two airports, for travelers already exploring western Japan, the train is a fantastic option. On this trip, I connected via Okayama Station and boarded the Yakumo Limited Express.

If you visited Tottori in the past, you might remember the old Yakumo as a bit of a bumpy ride. However, the new 273 series trains (introduced in 2024) are a massive upgrade. The accessibility is excellent, with dedicated wheelchair spaces. One space is positioned next to a standard seat, allowing a wheelchair user to transfer if they wish, or simply sit side-by-side with a travel companion as well as two spots with close access to the windows. There is also a large accessible toilet available in this part of the train.

A quick note for those with sensitive stomachs: The Yakumo is a “tilting train” designed to maintain speed through the winding Chugoku mountains. The new models use a smoother tilting system, but it still moves with a gentle sway that is worth knowing about beforehand.

Day 1: Monsters and Modern Hospitality

My first stop was in Sakaiminato to visit the Mizuki Shigeru Museum. Even if you aren’t familiar with the name, you have likely seen his characters – the yokai (monsters) from GeGeGe no Kitaro.

Read more

This month, we’re switching things up a little and focusing on one or two articles from our website that you might have missed, as well as dusting off a couple of older pieces — because let’s be honest, it’s a shame that older articles get pushed down the pecking order and somehow ‘lost’.

This will actually be the last newsletter we send before Christmas, with the next one coming in the lead-up to the New Year.

While Christmas is not traditionally celebrated in Japan as a religious holiday, you’ll still find plenty of festive lights, decorations, and even the famous Christmas cakes filling shop windows across the country. Wherever you are in the world, we wish you a warm and joyful holiday season filled with peace and happiness.

List of Banned and Restricted Medications in Japan (Late 2025, Early 2026 Guide)

Traveling to Japan? If you take prescription or over-the-counter medication, it’s important to prepare ahead. Japan’s import rules are stricter than many travelers expect — even common prescriptions and everyday OTC products can be restricted or banned. This guide explains what’s allowed, what’s not, and how to bring your medication safely.

READ MORE

Make your Japan trip easier and more meaningful — choose Mobal for SIMs, eSIMs, or pocket Wi-Fi. Your purchase helps support Accessible Japan’s mission and education projects in Malawi - and it doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Traveling Tokyo as an Ambulatory Wheelchair User: Real Experiences and Practical Tips

For travelers who can walk short distances but use a wheelchair for longer ones, Tokyo can be both thrilling and overwhelming. This community-informed guide combines real-world experiences with verified accessibility details to help you plan your trip with greater ease and confidence.

READ MORE

DID YOU KNOW?

Approximately 40% of the country’s population share just the top 10 surnames, with names like Sato, Suzuki and Takahashi each being held by more than a million people.

A Festive Guide to Accessibility at Tokyo’s Christmas Markets

Christmas markets trace their roots back to the Late Middle Ages in Europe, when they began as winter fairs where locals stocked up on food and supplies before the cold months set in. Over time, these practical gatherings transformed into joyful celebrations filled with seasonal treats, handcrafted gifts, twinkling decorations, and the sounds of carols and live music.

READ MORE

Looking for a way to show your support for Accessible Japan? Visit the Accessible Japan Store, where you’ll find T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and more inspired by our mission to make travel in Japan inclusive for everyone. Each purchase helps sustain our work and spread awareness about accessibility — so wear it proudly and help share the message!

VISIT OUR STORE

For travelers who can walk short distances but rely on a wheelchair for longer stretches, Tokyo can feel both exciting and intimidating. Below is a community-informed guide that blends lived experience with verified resources to help you plan with less stress and more confidence.

Key takeaways at a glance

• Book a barrier-free or universal design room if possible, and confirm dimensions in advance.

• If possible, bring your wheelchair out each day, even if you intend to walk part of the time. Use it dynamically as a seat, a bag caddy, and a backup when pain flares.

• Expect excellent transit access overall, but budget extra time for elevators and station navigation.

• For shopping days, use station lockers and keep your daypack light.

• In small stores, ask the staff where to park a folded chair. If bikes are parked outside, it is often fine to park a wheelchair neatly as well.

What does “barrier-free” mean in Japan?

In Japan, “barrier-free” is the common term for places that are accessible to wheelchair users and others with mobility needs. You will also see “universal design” used for rooms and facilities designed to be usable by many people without adaptation. Our destination guides and lodging pages use the same language to help you search and compare.

Choosing a hotel room when space is tight

Tokyo hotel rooms can be compact, which makes storage and transfers harder if you use a wheelchair part-time. When possible:

• Search for barrier-free / universal design rooms and confirm clearances around the bed, bathroom door widths, and whether there is space to store a folded chair.

• If roll-in showers are essential, shortlist properties that explicitly list them, since they remain relatively rare at many price points. See our recent overview of Tokyo’s high-end hotels with roll-in showers for examples and terminology to use when inquiring.

Tip for ambulatory travelers: If you cannot secure an accessible room, ask the hotel in advance about an alternative space for storing a folded manual chair or compact mobility device. Policies vary by property.

Additional note: Be careful when selecting the room type. Even if you feel like you are ok in a non-accessible room, you may find that there is a step in the bathroom, so that’s worth bearing in mind.

Getting around: trains, subways, and the Shinkansen

Greater Tokyo’s rail network is highly accessible by global standards. Most stations have elevators, staff assistance is routine, and boarding ramps are provided when there is a gap.

• Start with our primer on Wheelchair Accessible Trains and Subways in Japan, which explains assistance, ticketing, and what to expect at stations.

• If you are taking the bullet train, see our Shinkansen Wheelchair Accessibility guide for seating locations and accessible toilet details.

• For a deeper dive on metro basics, ticket machines, and wayfinding, use our detailed walkthrough: Riding the Train or Subway in Japan in a Wheelchair Accessible Japan.

Ambulatory user tip: Stations can be the slow part of your day because elevators may be tucked away or require detours. Build extra time into your transfers, even though boarding itself is typically smooth. This aligns with multiple community experiences. We also discuss some of these factors in another of our ambulatory traveler-themed posts: Moving Around Tokyo: Tips for Ambulatory Disabled Travelers.

Make your Japan trip easier and more meaningful — choose Mobal for SIMs, eSIMs, or pocket Wi-Fi. Your purchase helps support Accessible Japan’s mission and education projects in Malawi - and it doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Tokyo’s Neighborhoods: how they compare for mixed mobility days

• Odaiba
  A modern waterfront district with wide promenades, malls, and plentiful accessible toilets. Distances can be long between sights, so having the chair is helpful even if you plan to walk part of the time. Learn more in the Odaiba Accessibility Guide.

• Harajuku
  Great for fashion browsing. Public accessible toilets are easier to find at Harajuku Station and Meiji-Jingumae Station, or at Meiji Jingu itself, though it may be a walk. Smaller boutiques can be tight, so a plan to park a folded chair helps. Learn more in the Harajuku Accessibility Guide.

• Akihabara
  Beloved for anime, manga, and electronics. Expect a mix of spacious multi-level stores with elevators and small, crowded shops with stairs and narrow aisles. It is absolutely visitable, but a realistic plan for where to park a chair and how to manage upper floors will reduce stress. Learn more in the Akihabara Accessibility Guide.

• Ginza and other hotspots
  Use our roundup of Wheelchair Accessible Tourist Attractions in Tokyo to check major districts and landmarks in one place, then click through for specifics.

Wheelchair every day, or crutches some days?

Many ambulatory travelers report success with a hybrid strategy:

• Head out with the wheelchair daily. Start by walking while pushing an empty chair if that feels right, then sit when pain or fatigue rises.

• Use the chair as your seat in queues and as a bag caddy for shopping days. Station coin lockers are widely available, which can help you avoid carrying weight while you explore.

• Ask staff about storage for a folded chair when entering small shops or restaurants. If bicycles are parked neatly outside, it is often acceptable to park a folded wheelchair the same way, although the final word rests with each business.

These tactics come directly from community experience and mirror what we often see on the ground across Tokyo’s shopping districts.

Considering compact mobility options

If storage space is your main constraint, consider compact or foldable mobility devices that are treated like electric wheelchairs in pedestrian areas and can be tucked into small hotel rooms. Providers in Japan rent lightweight manual chairs, some power chairs, and certain compact devices with delivery to hotels.

• Start here: How to Rent a Wheelchair in Japan: Step-by-Step Guide.

• Background overview: Renting Wheelchairs and Hoists in Japan.

Some travelers explore foldable electric options such as “JOY Cart” style devices offered by rental companies. Weight limits, permitted areas, and pickup options vary by provider, so confirm the latest specifications directly before booking. Many services advertise hotel delivery and fixed rental stations in busy districts.

Etiquette and asking for help

Tokyo service staff are accustomed to assisting disabled travelers. If you are unsure where to sit, queue, or park a folded chair, politely ask and you will usually be guided quickly. This culture of assistance is often highlighted in our destination notes and event coverage. Such as in this great piece, Paralympics and the Wheelchair Nod – Reflecting on Tokyo, by Kelly Frost.

Need a hand planning the details?

If you would like help tailoring a day-by-day plan to your mobility, pain management, and interests, you can post questions and get firsthand advice from travelers and local concierges in the Japan group on our community platform tabifolk.
Join the discussion at www.tabifolk.com or by downloading the tabifolk app today.

Disclaimer: Information may change. Please confirm with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) before traveling.

Traveling to Japan? If you take prescription or over-the-counter medication, there’s some important housekeeping to do. The Japanese rules around bringing medicine into the country are stricter than many travellers expect. Both prescription drugs and common over-the-counter (OTC) medications may be restricted, controlled or even banned. The last thing you want to happen when heading for your dream trip to Japan is to land yourself in hot water!

This guide lays out what is banned, what is restricted, and how to bring permitted medication safely. For full details on the import process (quantities, certificates, etc), also see our main guide on bringing medicine into Japan.

1. Why does Japan restrict certain medicines

Japan’s import and control of pharmaceuticals are regulated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), and the laws include the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act and the Customs Law.

• Certain drugs are classed as narcotics, psychotropics, stimulants, or stimulants’ raw materials, and may be prohibited entirely for import unless very specific permission is obtained

• Even for medications that are allowed, there are strict quantity limits and procedures (e.g., you may need a certificate).

• Some medications that are freely available in other countries (especially OTC cold, allergy or sinus meds) contain ingredients that fall under Japan’s controlled-substance laws. That means they may be illegal to bring in — even if you have a prescription or bought them legally elsewhere.

In short, the key is to focus not on brand name alone, but on active ingredients, quantity, packaging, and import category.

2. Which medications can you bring into Japan?

Here are examples of medication types and active ingredients that are strictly prohibited for personal import into Japan without special permission. If you are taking anything similar, you’ll need to check carefully.

Narcotics:
Examples of which include: Morphine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Codeine, and Tapentadol. These medications are strictly controlled, and the import of such or the possession of such, without a narcotic import license, is illegal. Even if prescribed abroad, these require prior authorization through Japan’s Narcotics Control Department (via the Narcotics Control Division, Kanto-Shin’etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare).

When submitting your application form with an electronic signature, note this in your email. Enter your Japan arrival and departure dates in the “Time of entry/departure” section. If you plan to take leftover medicine back home, submit an export application form; if not, state that in your email. In the “Reason for departure” field, write “To return home” or “To go to another country” (avoid “For vacation,” as it delays processing). If a parent or guardian completes the form for a minor, use the minor’s name and write “(Parent/Guardian’s name) wrote this on (child’s name)’s behalf,” followed by their signature.

Stimulants / Stimulants’ Raw Materials:
Examples of which include: Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse, Elvanse), Pseudoephedrine (found in Sudafed, Actifed, Vicks Inhaler). These medications are generally prohibited. Items in this group fall under the Stimulants Control Law. They cannot be imported for personal use — even with a prescription.

Psychotropics:
Examples of which include: Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), Zolpidem (Ambien). These medications are partly prohibited. Many psychotropic drugs are allowed in limited quantities but require a Yunyu Kakunin-sho import certificate if exceeding a one-month supply. Check the ingredient list carefully.

Make your Japan trip easier and more meaningful — choose Mobal for SIMs, eSIMs, or pocket Wi-Fi. Your purchase helps support Accessible Japan’s mission and education projects in Malawi - and it doesn’t cost you anything extra.

General medicines / non-regulated drugs:
Examples include Tramadol and other non-scheduled analgesics. These medications are usually permitted within normal limits.

Note: This list is not exhaustive. The key takeaway: If your medication’s active ingredient appears on Japan’s controlled substances list (for example, under “Narcotics”, “Psychotropics”, “Stimulants’ Raw Materials”), then you likely cannot bring it without prior permission.

3. Restricted medications (Require certificate or special permission)

If your medication is not outright banned but either (a) contains a controlled substance, or (b) you are bringing more than a standard allowable quantity, you will likely need to apply for a certificate known as the Yunyu Kakunin‑sho (Import Confirmation Certificate) before you travel.

What the rules say:

• For prescription medicines: you may bring up to one month’s supply for personal use without the import certificate, provided the drug is not prohibited, and not injectable (in most cases).

• For OTC (non-prescription) medicines and quasi-drugs: you may bring up to two months’ supply for personal use without a certificate.

• If you exceed these standard quantities (or if your medicine is injectable or contains a controlled substance), then you must apply for the Yunyu Kakunin-sho.

• Application is handled via MHLW’s online system for personal import use (since Feb 2023).

These rules and regulations can be checked via the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website. You may need to use a translation tool in your browser.

Example situations:

• You take an ADHD medication (amphetamine-based) → this typically falls under “Stimulants/Raw Materials” and may be banned or require special permission.

• You take an injectable medication or insulin with syringes → even if a prescription, still may trigger the certificate because of the device component.

• You have a common cold relief tablet that contains pseudoephedrine (sold OTC in your home country) → you still need to check because it could be a “Stimulant Raw Material” under Japanese law.

What to do:

1. Check the exact active ingredient(s) in your medication (not just the brand name).

2. Search whether that ingredient appears on Japan’s “Controlled Substances list” (N, P, SRM, etc).

3. If it is controlled, start the certificate application at least two weeks (preferably earlier) before travel.

4. Keep all supporting documents: doctor’s letter, prescription, original packaging, travel details.

4. Over-the-Counter Medicines to Be Cautious With

Even if a medicine is “non-prescription” in your home country, when you bring it into Japan, you need to check whether the ingredients are allowed. Some OTC cold, allergy, and sinus medications commonly used overseas are flagged in Japan.

Here are some examples:

• Cold/allergy/sinus meds containing pseudoephedrine (such as Actifed, Sudafed) are flagged.

• Inhalers or nasal sprays that contain stimulant‐type ingredients may also be prohibited.

• The key is: it doesn’t matter if you have a prescription or bought it legally at home — if the Japanese regulation classifies the ingredient as a stimulant or raw material, it may be banned.

Tip: Pack OTC meds in original packaging, bring a small list/translations of the active ingredients, and if in doubt, contact Japan’s regional health bureau or the embassy.

5. How to Apply for the Certificate (Yunyu Kakunin-sho)

If you determine you need the import certificate, here’s the current process:

• You can apply through MHLW’s “Application for Import Confirmation” online portal.

• Upload required documents: doctor’s letter/prescription, detailed product information (active ingredients, dosage, quantity), travel itinerary.

• Submit to the Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare servicing the airport you’ll arrive at.

• Wait for issuance of the certificate (aim to apply at least two weeks in advance, and for more complex cases, possibly longer).

• Upon arrival at customs, present the certificate along with your medication and supporting documents.

6. Accessibility & Practical Travel Tips

Here are a few additional recommendations regarding bringing medication with you to Japan:

• Pre-travel: Ask your doctor for a letter or note that includes the diagnosis, medication name, dosage, and schedule — this helps clarify legitimacy if questioned.

• Keep medications in original packaging, with labels visible, and bring small quantities only if possible.

• If you’re carrying devices (pumps, syringes, injectables) alongside medication, make sure you understand how Japan classifies them (sometimes as “medical devices”) and whether separate permission is needed.

• When packing OTC medicines, check active ingredients rather than just brand names — overseas brand names may not reflect Japanese regulations.

• If you’re staying more than one month and your medication is in continuous use, the certificate is essential — don’t assume “since I have a prescription” covers it.

• Make sure someone in your travel party knows where your doctor’s note, prescriptions, and import certificate are, especially in contexts where you might require assistance.

7. Notes to End On

• This guide is intended as a general overview only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulations may change without notice.

• Before travelling, always check the latest information on the MHLW website: “Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan”. Check: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

• If you are unsure whether your medication is allowed, contact the regional health bureau (or the relevant Japanese embassy/consulate) with active ingredient details and your travel dates.

• When in doubt, plan — it’s far less stressful than discovering at customs that your medication isn’t permitted.