THE ACCESS DISPATCH: Visa Price Hikes & The Hunt for Roll-In Showers in Japan
PLUS: Shinkansen access info, falling asleep at work, and more!
Greetings from Japan!
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.
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.
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.
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.
That’s all for this edition! Until next time…
The Accessible Japan Team
The Shinkansen article, when I also checked the Mobility Scooters article, showed me that I'd need be squeezed into a wheelchair with a 14 inch seat width to be able to access the Shinkansens. My wheelchair is 81cm wide, and has an 18 inch seat width. This wipes out one of the planned things I was intending to do during my trip to Japan, a day trip to Sendai on the Shinkansen. But if I can't even board the Shinkansen because my wheelchair is too wide, then that day trip is nuked. Not happy. :(