This article introduces restaurant chains that are committed to physical and mental accessibility.
After surveying over 80 individuals with physical disabilities involved with Ayumi, we will introduce three restaurants that are reputed to be "accessible both physically and mentally, and frequently visited!"
※Note
Accessibility features may vary by region and store, so please check in advance by phone, website, or social media before visiting.
1. Kura Sushi
1-1. Highlights
The first restaurant we introduce is the well-known major conveyor belt sushi chain "Kura Sushi".
Founded in 1977, as of October 2021, it operates 567 locations both domestically and internationally, loved by people of all ages from children to adults.
One of the reasons for its popularity is "Bikkura Pon!" where you get a chance to win a prize with every five sushi plates. If "win" appears on the tablet screen, you can get a prize from the capsule toy machine on the lane.
Various innovations make dining more enjoyable. That's Kura Sushi for you.
※Reference URL: Kura Sushi
1-2. Accessibility Features
Even when going to a conveyor belt sushi restaurant with family, using a wheelchair might make it difficult to use a booth seat, forcing you to use the counter. Have you ever experienced this?
At Kura Sushi, some of the booth seats are movable, allowing you to sit in your wheelchair.
Additionally, due to the promotion of contactless service during the COVID-19 pandemic, by scanning the QR code at your seat, you can order from your smartphone. "Smart Kura Sushi" was introduced to all stores by December 2021.
For those who couldn't reach the tablet, ordering from a smartphone makes it easy to enjoy your favorite meal at your own pace.
On the Kura Sushi official website's store search, you can find stores with the following accessibility features:
・Stores with ramps
・Stores with multifunctional toilets
・Stores with elevators
・Stores with wheelchair-accessible seats
・Smart Kura Sushi
※Reference URL: Kura Sushi Store Search
Why not search for a store near you?
1-3. Points to Note When Visiting
Kura Sushi allows you to reserve seats through their app. However, the app only allows reservations for booth seats, not necessarily wheelchair-accessible seats.
Therefore, even with a reservation, you might not be able to use the desired seat. If you need a counter or wheelchair-accessible seat, please inform the store directly.
Also, some store entrances have sliding doors, which might make it difficult for wheelchair users to enter alone.
2. Hama Sushi
2-1. Highlights
Next, we introduce Hama Sushi, a major conveyor belt sushi chain following Kura Sushi and Sushiro.
Hama Sushi is popular for offering authentic sushi at reasonable prices. To ensure everyone can enjoy sushi easily, they have implemented accessibility features.
※Reference URL: Hama Sushi
2-2. Accessibility Features
Hama Sushi also provides wheelchair-accessible seating, allowing you to use booth seats while in a wheelchair.
As shown in the photos below, wheelchair-accessible seats have a wheelchair mark, and part of the wall is designed to open and close like a door.
The video below clearly explains how to use these features, so please take a look.
※Reference URL: Wheelchair Walker Yuriko Oda｜Wheelchair Walker Conveyor Belt Sushi Hama Sushi (Welfare Accessibility Wheelchair Disabled) [#1]
Additionally, Hama Sushi's store search allows you to find stores with multifunctional toilets and baby seats.
※Reference URL: Hama Sushi Store Search
2-3. Points to Note When Visiting
As mentioned earlier, although you can set search conditions for multifunctional toilets when searching for stores, a search across all 47 prefectures revealed no results.
This suggests that multifunctional toilets may not yet be implemented, so please be cautious if you need to use the restroom.
Regarding baby seats, they were available in many stores, so you can rest assured.
