"handicapped" individual visiting Japan

[kts923]

I am going to be going to Japan in about 8 weeks but I have Spina Bifida. I can get around just fine and don't need any assistance at all really other than a rail to hold on to going down steps to help with my balance but even that isn't completely necessary. I do have a limp when I walk though due to my left leg being a little shorter than my right. I will more than likely be going alone I am a female and 25 years old. For those of you that have been to Japan or currently live there do you think I would have many problems? How do the Japanese usually feel about people with disabilities? I really love Japan or what I have seen and heard of it so far anyway. I am graduating college this year and really want to go to Japan after school. I'll only be staying for about a week or two but I guess I wanted to see what I'm getting into beforehand.

[Ewok85]

You should be alright - if there is stairs, there is usually also an escalator or elevator nearby, and if you ask for help you would be surprised at how far they go to give it :)

[nice gaijin]

There are a lot of stairs, and there are a lot of older or smaller buildings that don't have elevators or escalators, but there's almost always some sort of support or bannister to hold on to, so if that's all you need, you should be fine. I've often thought out loud that Japan must be a tough place for people with physical disabilities (except perhaps for the blind), but your condition doesn't sound so debilitating that it would spoil your trip. Enjoy!

[ludoNL]

At trainstations, I`ve seen handicapped people getting help from the station`s personnel, escorting them up the stairs and to/from the trains.
People are really helpfull here, don`t worry.

[kts923]

Thanks Everone! This will be my first time out of the United States so i was a little scared but after hearing your opinions I'm fine now :-) I've never had much problems getting around and most people don't even realize there anything at all wrong with me other than the limp but I just wanted to hear what people who had experienced Japan already had to say. I'm so excited now!

[Goldiegirl]

Tokyo is so crowded, I would be worried if you can easily loose your balance if bumped into by other people. People there are used to being in crowds and pushed around a bit. The elevators are sometimes not conveniently located and you have to walk a distance to get to some of them, but I only used them when I was carrying luggage.

[tampopo]

yeah, if you're independently mobile then you should be fine. Tokyo is pretty flat. Stay away from the big train stations at rush hour though!!!
When I'm there, I'm based in Yokohama which is hilly (the part I go to at any rate).And a week should be good. If you like it lots you can always go back again and it'll be a good intro for future visits. Go for it baby, it'll be fun. One thing though, let us know how you got on, on here, won't ya?

[kts923]

Thanks! I will be sure to tell everyone how it went. I am leaving right at the end of June. I want to go to Tokyo but I also have to go to Wakayama for a concert but I plan on spending most of my time in either Tokyo or Kyoto.


You all have been a major help thanks so much.

[pipokun]

http://accessible.jp.org/title2-e.html
Accessible Tokyo, Kyoto and Kamakura

I don't know what sort of concert you will go to see, but I was happy to know punk-heads in Osaka were friendly and helpful when I had my leg severely injured and could not use Asian-style toilet, though my friends said I was stupid to go to see a gig down to Osaka.

[made of stone]

I'm really glad Goldiegirl posted her thoughts - the trains and stations can be uncomfortably packed at times, as can the streets in crowded metropolitan areas. I personally always avoided the trains/crowded areas at the busiest times whenever possible when I lived in Japan.

If I were you i'd post here later on when you have specific places in mind to visit, as well as your holiday dates, then hopefully you'll get more detailed advice. For example, perhaps you might say 'i'd really like to visit such'n'such a place' and someone with local knowledge might advise you 'try and look around there in the morning, because lots of coach parties visit in the afternoons'.

Just a thought, and I'm thinking of popular spots in Kyoto here as much as Tokyo...

Anyway, the best of luck for your trip kts923, i'm sure you'll have a fantastic time, with many priceless memories!! Don't forget to post back here after your visit, and let us know how you get on - it will most probably help someone else who has similar questions :)

:sing:

[NekoMama7]

Avoid rush hour trains as much as possible. If the route works, consider taking buses, too. In my previous life, I used to take some of the most crowded routes of Yamanotesen and subway, but now as a tourist, why should I suffer?

You may get some stares. But that can happen anywhere. I think train stations in Tokyo are getting close to handicap-ready, but not quite to the level we're used to in the US. Regular folks aren't very helpful (they're usually too busy to help others) but employees at train stations are trained to help.

Stores aren't required by law to leave enough space in the isle for the wheel chairs. Some small stores are really packed and really hard to get around.

[kts923]

Thanks everyone. I am going to go see L'arc~en~ciel in Wakayama on July 3rd. I just found out today that a friend of mine will be able to go with me so I shouldn't have any problems at all now however he won't be at the concert with me so I still have to live through that alone :-) . I really appreciate everyones help! One of the places I definitely want to see in Tokyo is Akihabara I am a major geek lol I really haven't got any specific places i want to see I mostly just want to explore other than going to wakayama for the concert. I've been in pretty crowded places before but nothing like Tokyo I don't loose my balance extremely easy so that don't worry me too much. Thanks for the advice on the buses though I had been looking at bus schedules at guides and they do seem more convenient than trains.


*I'm used to stares from other people so that don't bother me now either*

[Numark]

If you are into weird or crazy Japanese stuff, definitely check out the Tokyo Damage Report travel guide. I used it while in Tokyo and it gives really good directions on some awesome places in Tokyo.
http://www.hellodamage.com/tdr/travelguide.htm#i
and the accompanying website http://www.hellodamage.com/tdr/