The Access Dispatch: We're Still on a High + Can You Guess the Word?
Our seven month competition comes to a close. Plus, your guide to Shibuya!
We’re still positively fizzing from the news we received last week — about winning the inaugural award for ‘Best Website for Accessible Travel’ at the first-ever Travel for Every Body Accessible Travel Awards! An award that we surely could not have won without the continued interest and support of you guys. You are what makes creating fresh content and updating reviews throughout Japan worth it.
But let’s not get too emotional now, shall we? We have another action-packed newsletter to get through — but first… did somebody mention something about a little healthy competition?!
If you’ve been paying close attention, you’d have noticed several months ago that we started a competition where each week we posed a new question. The catch was that the first letter of each answer was crucial because, once you collect them all, they spell out the name of something very important in Japan. The first person to reply to this newsletter with the complete name (after hearing today’s final question) will win one of our coveted (and very stylish) Accessible Japan T-Shirts.
This month’s question is:
What is the name of the Japanese city famous for its friendly deer, massive bronze Buddha, and historic temples like Todai-ji?
If you need a little reminder of all of the previous questions, head to our Facebook or Instagram page, where you will see a recent post with the past six questions!
Remember — once you think you’ve figured out the answer by collecting the first letter from the answer of all seven questions, over the past seven months, reply to this email or comment on our Substack to be in with a chance of winning!
Shibuya: Tokyo’s Beating Heart of Chaos, Culture, and Charm
Discover how one of Tokyo’s most dynamic districts balances energy and accessibility — from the sweeping views of Shibuya Sky and the forest serenity of Meiji Jingu to the artistry of the National Noh Theater and the colorful buzz of Harajuku. The feature also highlights Daikanyama’s relaxed café culture and two standout hotels — Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu and Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku — proving Shibuya can be both thrilling and surprisingly easy to explore on wheels.
Looking for a private tour whilst in Japan?
Visit our tours page on accessible-japan.com for a diverse selection of options tailored to various budgets and needs. Whether you're interested in tours for deaf travelers or luxurious multi-city experiences, we have something for everyone.
DID YOU KNOW?
Nearly 40 % of Japan’s land area is covered by national parks and protected natural zones — a much higher percentage than many other industrialized nations. According to accessible-travel guides, parks such as Aso‑Kuju National Park in Kyūshū and the paved riverside trail at Minoo Park near Osaka are particularly wheelchair-friendly thanks to wide, level paths and good facilities.
Our Monthly Hotel Recommendation: Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo
Inspired by the French term Nord Livina (“Northern Living Room”), the Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo offers a calm, private retreat just four minutes from Sapporo Station. Designed for relaxation, it combines modern comfort with a cozy, homelike feel — your own living room in Japan’s northern capital.
The hotel includes five accessible rooms (three non-smoking, two smoking), each with twin beds, handrails in the bathroom, and a spacious 26㎡ layout. Guests can also expect thoughtful touches like an air purifier, humidifier, and a full amenity kit — making accessibility feel effortless.
Like many Japanese hotels, accessible showers are wet rooms with floor drainage, a movable shower head that stretches over the bathtub, and optional shower seats. People often assume the bathroom is inaccessible just because of the bathtub, so this quirk is worth keeping in mind.
Really nice content, makes you want to book asap! One question: there are smoking rooms available in Japanese hotels? In most EU countries this isn’t possible anymore (just a curiosity!)