こんにちは from Tokyo!
Japan is deep in the midst of typhoon season, which usually results in folks checking the forecast rather obsessively and keeping just about everything crossed in hopes for the best possible weather. But if you stop for a moment and squint, you’ll start to notice the faint signs of autumn on its way. Vending machines are starting to be stocked with hot cans of coffee, a sure sign that cooler days are just around the corner.
We’ve got two things really worth your attention in this edition: a certain deadline is closing soon, and we have some new additions to our accessible taxi directory. Plus: the lowdown on Hotel Naniwa Issui. Enjoy!
Last Call: The Airport Rental One-Way Trial
As of the time of writing, anyone arriving at one airport and leaving from another can take advantage of alternate pick-up and drop-off locations for mobility equipment. That means you can pick up a rental wheelchair at one airport, enjoy your vacation in Japan, and then, if applicable, drop off the rental chair at a different airport when you depart, at no extra charge.
There is one big caveat, though. This was only a trial, and it is scheduled to end on September 30th, 2026.
If you’re planning a multi-airport itinerary for later this year, now is the time to check whether your route qualifies before the window closes.
Read the full rental guide, including which airports and equipment are covered >
Hotel Spotlight: MIMARU Tokyo Kinshicho
MIMARU is an apartment-style brand built around families and groups: every room comes with a full kitchen, a proper living area, and enough floor space to really spread out, which matters as much for a wheelchair user as it does for a family of four. The accessible room here has wide hallways and a large turning space, so you can move around quite comfortably. MIMARU’s accessible rooms also feature bathrooms that follow the universal design approach.
A word to the wise, though, in keeping with how we cover every listing: the bathroom is a unit bath rather than a dedicated roll-in shower, so if a true barrier-free roll-in shower is non-negotiable for you, it’s worth checking the listing’s shower details closely, or reaching out to MIMARU directly, before booking.
Read more about MIMARU Tokyo Kinshicho >
Getting Around by Accessible Taxi
If you haven’t explored this part of the site yet, it’s definitely worth a look, especially if you’re still deciding between taking the train everywhere and going by taxi.
Tokyo’s trains and subways are some of the most accessible in the world, but changing lines with a wheelchair, scooter, and luggage can wear you out fast. That’s where a private accessible taxi comes in: door-to-door, on your schedule, no transfers required. Our Tokyo taxi directory rounds up vetted, lift-equipped providers who can take power chairs, scooters, and larger groups that a standard JpnTaxi can’t accommodate, whether that’s an airport run, a full day of sightseeing, or just a break from the crowds.
Airports get their own dedicated pages too, and there’s a reason for that: Japanese taxi licensing is prefecture-specific, so not every provider who can pick you up in central Tokyo is legally allowed to serve Narita. We break down exactly which providers cover which routes so you’re not caught off guard.
Browse accessible taxis in Tokyo >
Browse accessible taxis at Narita Airport >
Our Founder a Webinar Guest!
In case you missed it, our founder and dear leader, Josh Grisdale, was a guest on a brand-new webinar created by our friends over at The World is Accessible!
We’ve put together a bit of a blog post based on the webinar’s transcript, where we go through some of the key answers that were given.
Read ‘Your Japan Accessibility Questions, Answered’ here >
Useful Links and Reminders
Renting equipment for your trip? Start with our Wheelchair & Hoist Rentals guide for the full breakdown of airport counters and hotel delivery.
Prefer a step-by-step walkthrough? Our How to Rent a Wheelchair in Japan guide covers the booking process in detail.
Flying into Haneda? Bookmark our Haneda Airport accessibility hub for everything from terminal navigation to getting into the city.
Did You Know?
This October (18th–24th), Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture will host the Asian Para Games for the first time ever, marking the first time Japan has held this event. Nearly 500 medal events across 18 sports, including wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and goalball, will bring thousands of athletes from across Asia to compete at 19 venues around the region.
That’s all for this edition. If you have any questions relating to upcoming travel to Japan, or if you would just like to know about something more generally, please don’t hesitate to reach out through tabifolk.
Until next time,
The Accessible Japan Team