For those using wheelchairs or elderly individuals who wish to travel but face various barriers, this article introduces barrier-free tourist destinations and convenient services that ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
This information is not only valuable for wheelchair users and the elderly but also for accompanying family and friends. Be sure to utilize it when planning trips.
1. If You're Considering a Trip or Have Decided on One, Check Out This Site!
Regardless of disabilities, illnesses, or age, travel can rejuvenate daily fatigue and provide a boost of energy through encounters with new sights and tourist spots. To make the trip a memorable experience, especially for those who may face mobility challenges like wheelchair users and the elderly, it's crucial to thoroughly check the barrier-free information of the places you plan to visit.
Many tourist destinations are now promoting barrier-free initiatives, making them more accessible for everyone. Utilize sites that compile barrier-free information to enjoy a safe and pleasant travel experience.
For instance, "Barrier-Free Travel.com" offers a wealth of information useful for barrier-free tourism. It features special sections on barrier-free hotels and model courses for tourist spots, ensuring a worry-free first-time trip.
Reference: Barrier-Free Travel.com
Additionally, the site "IKKEL" provides information on barrier-free accommodations where wheelchair users and the elderly can stay comfortably. You can even view 3D images to check room layouts, including step heights and hallway widths, in advance.
Reference:IKKEL - Barrier-Free Accommodation Information Site
By searching "Prefecture Name Barrier-Free Tourism" on the official tourism association websites of each prefecture, you can find detailed information on barrier-free facilities at hotels and tourist spots, the presence of steps, and rental services.
Reference:Barrier-Free Certification System for Tourist Facilities | Japan Tourism Agency
Our media, "Barrier-Free Information Site Flat," also offers plenty of information on recommended tourist spots.
We also explain the concept of "Universal Tourism," which you should know before enjoying barrier-free tourism. Be sure to check it out.
Reference: Travel/Sightseeing
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2. Convenient Services for Enjoying Travel Despite Disabilities or Illnesses
The main services that wheelchair users and the elderly should consider using to enjoy sightseeing safely are as follows:
- Welfare Taxi｜Available nationwide. You can arrange for wheelchair-accessible taxis.
- Airport Support Services｜Includes wheelchair rental and boarding assistance.
- Rental of Care Products｜You can rent wheelchairs, walkers, and portable toilets.
- In-Travel Home Care Service｜You can arrange for caregivers as needed.
By arranging these services in advance, you can ensure a more comfortable trip.
Recently, more service industries are adopting barrier-free initiatives. Keep yourself updated with the latest information to avoid missing out on services due to lack of awareness.
Our media, "Barrier-Free Information Site Flat," also provides detailed tips on how to plan and book trips, as well as how to enjoy barrier-free travel, including transportation and hotel stays.
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Additionally, be sure to check out the special services and discounts available with a disability certificate.
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3. Find Barrier-Free Hotels Nationwide!
When you decide to enjoy a trip or sightseeing, the first thing to do is secure a barrier-free hotel.
JTB Data Service operates the "Heart Barrier-Free Certified Facility Search," where you can find accommodations certified by the Japan Tourism Agency for heart barrier-free standards.
Reference: Heart Barrier-Free Certified Facility Search | JTB Data Service
With barrier-free hotels, wheelchair users and the elderly can stay with peace of mind.
The following hotel chains are available nationwide and are equipped with barrier-free facilities.
| Hotel Chain Name | Main Barrier-Free Facilities |
| Toyoko INN | Offers two types of barrier-free rooms, "Heartful Room®️," with integrated bathroom, toilet, and washbasin or separate types |
| Dormy Inn | Provides universal rooms and barrier-free rooms with handrails and sliding doors |
| APA Hotel | Some facilities offer barrier-free rooms. Wheelchair rental available |
| Route Inn Hotels | Many locations have barrier-free rooms and offer discounts for people with disabilities |
Reference: Toyoko INN
Reference: Dormy Inn
Reference: APA Hotel
Reference: Route Inn Hotels
When selecting accommodations, use the hotel's official website or barrier-free information sites to confirm the necessary facilities are in place before booking. Be sure to check out the following article introducing barrier-free hotels and inns.
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4. Introduction to Travel Support Companies and Useful Sites for Wheelchair Users and the Elderly
Reference: For People with Disabilities | Tenjin Underground Shopping Mall
At Marine World Uminonakamichi, an aquarium themed around the "Sea of Kyushu," the facility is designed to be barrier-free from the parking lot to inside the building, allowing wheelchair users to enjoy the aquarium. Admission discounts are available for people with disabilities, so don't forget to bring your ID card.
Reference: Marine World Uminonakamichi
The following site introduces sightseeing in Fukuoka based on real experiences of wheelchair users. It provides detailed explanations of Fukuoka travel for wheelchair users by area, so you can feel like you're experiencing it together. Be sure to check it out.
5-5. If you want to enjoy seafood while sightseeing, this is the place! 【Hokkaido】
In Hokkaido, there are many barrier-free tourist spots such as the Otaru Canal Cruise and the Sapporo Clock Tower.
Hokkaido has many airports due to its vast land, so it might be a good idea to gather sightseeing information around the airports and enjoy the attractions nearby.
Hokkaido is full of delicious foods like seafood and mountain produce, so choosing a region based on the local specialties you want to try could be interesting.
Be sure to plan your trip using the Hokkaido Universal Tourism Information Site.
Reference: Universal Tourism Hokkaido
Our media, "Barrier-Free Information Site Flat," introduces barrier-free information sites in Hokkaido that are useful for travel planning. There are also articles on cold weather and snow measures, so please refer to them.
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5-6. Experience the Exotic Port Town and Nature-Rich Resort Surrounded by Flowers and Greenery 【Kobe & Awaji Island】
Kobe and Awaji in Hyogo Prefecture have many famous tourist spots nationwide, and there are plenty of places where wheelchair users can visit with peace of mind. For example, the Kobe Port Tower, a symbol of Kobe, allows wheelchair access to its indoor observation floors. While moving between observation floors is usually done by stairs, you can consult with staff on the ground floor to have the elevator switched to "manual operation" and be guided to each floor. There is also a barrier-free restroom on the first floor, ensuring a comfortable experience for wheelchair users.
Reference: Frequently Asked Questions ｜ Kobe Port Tower
In the nearby Chinatown "Nankinmachi," many stores welcome wheelchair users, allowing for a pleasant visit. Additionally, the public restroom "Garyuden" near the Nankinmachi Plaza is equipped with a barrier-free restroom, ensuring safety for wheelchair users.
Reference: Nankinmachi Guide Map｜Nankinmachi
Located in the northern part of Awaji Island, "Awaji Hanasajiki" is a breathtaking spot where you can enjoy seasonal flowers and a panoramic view of the sea at the same time. A gentle slope is provided from the entrance to the observation deck, allowing for smooth exploration even in a wheelchair. Reference: Barrier-Free Information ｜ Hyogo Prefectural Park Awaji Hanasajiki
"Awaji Yumebutai", known for being designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, is a complex resort facility where nature and art merge. Most areas are equipped with elevators and ramps, allowing wheelchair users to comfortably experience the beauty of the space.
Reference: Wheelchair Accessible! │ Awaji Yumebutai
If you have any travel concerns, contact the Kobe Universal Tourism Center. With just one phone call, you can arrange everything from assistance taxis and helper dispatch to requests for chopped meals and rental of welfare equipment, reducing unnecessary burdens from the planning stage and allowing you to fully enjoy Kobe and Awaji. Reference: Kobe Universal Tourism Center
Additionally, Kobe offers a service called "KOBE Anywhere Wheelchair." Wheelchairs are available for free rental at 12 locations throughout the city, which can be used for sightseeing. You can return them at any location, so there's no need to retrace your steps.
Reference: Kobe Anywhere Wheelchair｜Kobe City When staying in Hyogo Prefecture, including Kobe and Awaji, the "Hyogo Universal Lodging" site is helpful. It features model courses for different purposes and allows you to search for nearby universal accommodations. It's convenient for those unfamiliar with the area to find lodging facilities easily.
Reference:Hyogo Universal Lodging ｜ Hyogo's UNIVERSAL TOURISM
6. Tips for Enjoying Rainy Days: Make the Most of Your Outings!
Sudden rain at a tourist spot! It's a common occurrence.
With a little ingenuity, you can turn rainy sightseeing into something enjoyable.
Having a raincoat or umbrella for wheelchairs ready can be very helpful in such situations. Recommended rain gear items are introduced in the following article.
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Also, the best way to prepare for rain is to check the weather forecast frequently.
Recent weather forecasts are quite accurate, so be sure to check hourly forecasts on your smartphone even while traveling!
7. Conclusion
We introduced recommended tourist spots for wheelchair users and the elderly.
We covered a wide range of topics, from services and sites that make travel comfortable to recommended tourist spots like Kyoto, Nara, and Fukuoka.
Gathering information is crucial for enjoying a safe trip. Refer to the introduced sites and Flat's articles to collect barrier-free information.
If planning is difficult, relying on a support company is also a wise choice.
For wheelchair users and the elderly who have hesitated to travel, take this opportunity to visit the recommended tourist spots.
