Japan Accessible Tourism Center

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   Hokkaido Area
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   Tohoku Area
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Tokyo

Yokohama

Mt. Fuji

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Nikko
   Chubu Area
Nagoya

Takayama

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   Kansai Area
Osaka

Kyoto 

Nara

Kobe

Ise-Shima
   Chugoku Area
Hiroshima

Kurashiki

Matsue
   Shikoku Area
Matsuyama

Takamatsu

   Kyushu Area
Fukuoka

Nagasaki

Kumamoto

Kagoshima

Okinawa
accessible info  :  Kyoto Metro  /  JR  /  Hankyu  /  Keihan Kintetsu  /  Hotel

  Arashiyama     
The tourist district particulary famous for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Visitors enjoy walking along the river side. The path through the bamboo forest is a gentle upslope. Iwatayama Monkey Park is located in the Arashiyama mountains, and this park hasonly stairs. Both Hankyu and JR railway stations are wheelchair accessible. Sagano Romantic Train is also wheelchair accessible.   http://www.arashiyama-navi.info/

  Fushimi Inari      
The head shrinefor some 40,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan. There is a steep accessible ramp to the main shrine. The back side of the main shrine is the starting point to hike the trails lined with thousands of orange(red) torii gates. Taking many stairs on the trails, visitors must climb up and down Mt. Inari. So it is not suitable for wheelchair users. 
http://inari.jp  

  Ginkakuji  
Silver temple in Japanese language. No problem for going around on wheelchair inside the temple. There are stairs to view spot of back mountain. Long slope to the entrance from road. Famous walk trail " Tetsugaku no michi (philosophy road) stats from Ginkakuji to south..
http://www.shokoku-ji.jp/g_about.html
  

  Gion     
Kyoto’s famous entertainment and Geisha district. There are many traditional Kyoto wooden  houses. Some streets are pedestrian zones. So everybody, including wheelchair users, can feel free to walk around the streets. Some restaurants and shops have steps and stairs because they are old. Gion Corner Theater is wheelchair accessible. Enjoy dance and music performances by Maiko.    http://www.kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html

  Golden Pavilion
Called " Kinkakuji " in Japanese. Wheelchair users can reach the view point to see Golden Pavilion because the garden area is flat. Later half of the main route has stairs, so wheelchair users have to turn around in front of the stairs and go back the way they come. No train station around here. Not many non-step buses and so many people in autumn high season. So taxis are the best choice for wheelchair users. Many welfare taxis run in Kyoto. (Booking is needed.)
http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp 

  Heian Jingu Shrine
We can enter the shrine for free. Accessible ramps at the main gate. The courtyard is covered with gravel, so wheelchair users will find it hard to move around. Wheelchair accessible toilets are available inside the shrine.
http://www.heianjingu.or.jp/index_e.html  

  Kitano Tenmangu
Very famous shrine for Japanese, specially god of academy. Many students come here to buy the lucky charm for passing examination. Easy to visit on wheelchair. There is a smooth road and ramp to main shrine. Built in AD 974. Free to enter and parking. Located near Golden temple. 
http://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/  

  Kiyomizu-dera Temple     

The most popular tourist spot in Kyoto. The historic temple located on a mountain. W must go along the steep road to the temple because the approach road runs up the hill. Visitors use stairs in the temple area, but there is a wheelchair route (car road) behind the main route. There is a locked gate with an entry phone, but taxies and cars that wheelchair users are on can enter through the gate by using the entry phone. From the gate parking area, wheelchair users climb up a short hilly road and enter the temple. There are some wooden ramps inside the temple.
http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/

  Kyoto Aquarium  
Opened in 2012. The aquarium is located near Kyoto Station. Fully wheelchair accessible. The dolphin show is wonderful. There are wheelchair spaces to enjoy the show. 
http://www.kyoto-aquarium.com/  
  

  Kyoto Railway museum  
Opened in 2016. Located beside Kyoto aquarium. 20-30 min walk from JR Kyoto station. We study railway history in Japan. Many ramps on exhibition and wheelchair toilets.
http://www.kyotorailwaymuseum.jp/en/  
  

  Manga museum 

Manga (Japanese comic books) unique museum located on Metro Oike station near Nijo castle. Free to read Manga and study the history. Good to visit on rainy days and for kids. We can go out the museum during the daytime. The building was used as a primary school for a long time. Yes, we can enjoy this old building too. The facility is totally wheelchair accessible.
https://www.kyotomm.jp/en/  

  Monkey park 

 

Located Arashiyama. This unique park is one of very popular tourist spots for Americans and Europeans. Wild monkey heaven and nice view. The height of monkey area is 155 meter. We must climb up the mountain on stairs. It is not possible for wheelchair users to access the park.
http://www.kmpi.co.jp/english/ 

  Nanzenji 

The massive entrance gate called "Sanmon" is made of wood. The view from the temple tower is wonderful. But visitors have to climb the long stairs to the top of the tower. The water pipe bridge brought water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto. Tofu restaurants are very popular in this area.
http://www.nanzen.net/english  

  Nijo castle     
A huge one story building that is fully wheelchair accessible. This castle was the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogun in the Edo period. There is an accessible ramp at the entrance. Wheelchair users need to transfer to castle's indoor wheelchairs because hard wheels of their wheelchairs may damage the corridors.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/bunshi/nijojo

  Ninnaji   
UNESCO world treasure big temple built in 888. Located between Arashiyama and Golden pavilion. Cherry blossom in the temple is very famous. There are some steps in the temple, but they made many ramps beside the main gate and a wheelchair route in east side.
http://www.ninnaji.or.jp

  Nishiki market   
Famous shopping arcade in Kyoto central. Many local individual stores such as fish, meats, vegetables, snacks, delicatessen. Today it is too popular for foreign tourists. Be careful to walk this narrow street.

  Ryoanji Temple  
Zen Temple which has a famous rock garden. Many stairs in front of the main gate called Sanmon. There is a non-step road near the second parking area, but wheelchairs cannot enter the temple area. So wheelchair users cannot watch the rock garden if they cannot walk.
http://www.ryoanji.jp
  

  Sanjusangen-do     

A good tourist spot for wheelchair users. The corridor is flat and straight. Wheelchair users share the same route with other visitors. In the temple, visitors should put off their shoes, so wheelchair users need to wipe the wheels of their wheelchairs or transfer to temple’s wheelchairs. Kannon statues stand in the 120-meter-long temple hall.
http://sanjusangendo.jp   

  Tenryuji temple 
Located in Arashiyama. A wheelchair route map is displayed at the entrance. Entering the north gate and going west is a recommended route. But there are many gravel paths and some small steps in the temple area. Wheelchair users will find it hard to move around without an attendant. However, it is never impossible to visit.
http://www.tenryuji.com  

  Toei Kyoto Studio Park     
The theme park of the Edo period of Japan. It is also used as a studio for TV dramas and movies. We can see many Samurai on the shows. Experience the world of Japanese period dramas. Enjoy many attractions (Costume Photo Shop, Haunted House, Ninja Mystery House, etc.), too.
http://www.toei-eigamura.com/
   

  Tohukuji temple     

Almost wheelchair accessible. There are many accessible ramps and flat paths in the temple area. But visitors need to take stairs to the north side. Free wheelchair rental is available. This temple is famous for autumn colors, so it is very crowded in autumn colors season. Both JR and Keihan railway stations are wheelchair accessible.
http://www.tofukuji.jp/index2.html

  Toji temple     

Most famous and highest 5 floor wooden tower in Japan. 55 meter high, build in 1644. Located 1 km southwest from JR Kyoto station. Kintetsu Toji station is wheelchair accessible. The garden and halls are wheelchair accessible, but the 5 floor tower has stairs at entrance.
http://www.toji.or.jp/

  Uji Byodoin     
This temple has accessible ramps and no step inside.But wheelchair users find it a bit hard to move on gravel paths in the courtyard. The Byodoin Museum which has a lift is fully wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair rental is available. Uji city is very famous for green tea. Many nice green tea cafe in this area. Do not miss trying green tea and green tea ice cream after visiting Byodoin.
http://www.byodoin.or.jp

  Amanohashidate     
Actually this is not Kyoto central. Located 90 minutes by car on the high way. One of three greatest view in Japan. Others are Matsuhima near Sendai and Miyajima near Hiroshima. If you look the view between legs, happiness comes. There are 2 view spots. The south one is only taking a lift. The north one has a driving route. So wheelchair users can access the north view spot.
http://www.amanohashidate.jp/

  Miho Museum     
1 hour from Kyoto by car. Located in Shigaraki, Shiga region. Some says best museum in Japan. It is true. Incredible location in nature. Very quiet and modern architecture. Fantastic road to main building. Visit cherry blossom, fresh green or autumn season. Hilly road to main building from entrance. Wheelchair users need a push or use electric cart. 
http://www.miho.or.jp/

  Kyoto Navi

 

    
 
Wheelchair traveler report

Kyoto, Japan and the Wheelchair
Kim O'Sullivan from Australia

Recommendation Hotel " Hibari " near JR station.
nice Japanese style accessible room.