Introducing Nationwide Chain Stores with Accessibility Features!

This article introduces restaurant chains that are committed to both physical and mental accessibility.

Based on a survey conducted with over 80 individuals with physical disabilities who are involved with Ayumi, we will introduce three restaurants that are highly rated for their accessibility and are frequently visited.

※Note
Please be aware that the accessibility features may vary by region and store, so it is recommended to 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 stores 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 prizes with every five sushi plates. If the tablet displays "win," you can get a prize from the gacha machine on the lane.

Various innovations make dining more enjoyable. That's Kura Sushi.

※Reference URL: Kura Sushi

1-2. Accessibility Features

Even if you go to a conveyor belt sushi restaurant with your 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 services 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.

Even those who couldn't reach the tablet can easily order with their smartphone, allowing them to enjoy their favorite meals at their preferred timing.

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 seating
・Smart Kura Sushi

※Reference URL: Kura Sushi Store Search

Why not search for a store near your home?

1-3. Points to Note When Using

At Kura Sushi, you can reserve seats via the app. However, the app only allows reservations for booth seats, not necessarily wheelchair-accessible seats.

Therefore, even if you make a reservation in advance, you might not be able to use it. If you wish to use the counter or wheelchair-accessible seats, please inform the store directly.

Additionally, some store entrances have sliding doors, which might make it difficult for wheelchair users to enter alone.

2. Hama Sushi

2-1. Highlights

The next restaurant is Hama Sushi, a major conveyor belt sushi chain following Kura Sushi and Sushiro.

Hama Sushi is popular for offering authentic sushi at affordable prices. To ensure everyone can easily enjoy sushi, they have implemented accessibility measures.

※Reference URL: Hama Sushi

2-2. Accessibility Features

Hama Sushi also provides wheelchair-accessible seating, allowing use of 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 following video 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, in Hama Sushi's store search, you can find stores with multifunctional toilets and baby seats.

※Reference URL: Hama Sushi Store Search

2-3. Points to Note When Using

As mentioned earlier, while you can set search conditions for multifunctional toilets when searching for stores, no stores were found when searching across the 47 prefectures.

This suggests that multifunctional toilets are not yet implemented, so please be cautious if you need to use the restroom.

Regarding baby seats, they were installed in many stores, so you can rest assured.

3. Kushikatsu Tanaka