10 Recommended Companies for Caregiving Travel in Japan! A thorough explanation of how to choose and the average cost

Have you given up on traveling due to age or physical reasons? Caregiving travel is an option for those who require care and their families, allowing them to enjoy a trip with peace of mind. By hiring a specialized travel agency, you can eliminate various concerns, such as transportation, accommodation, and support during sightseeing. This article introduces 10 recommended companies for caregiving travel, as well as detailed explanations on how to choose the right company, average costs, and service content. Use this as a reference to find a travel plan that suits you and your loved ones.

What is caregiving travel in Japan? The benefits of hiring a specialized company

Caregiving travel is a type of travel that people who have difficulty traveling alone due to age or disability can enjoy with the support of specialized staff. There are an increasing number of services that can accommodate not only physical assistance but also medical care needs. Here, we will look at the basics of caregiving travel and the benefits of hiring a specialized company.

The big difference between caregiving travel and regular travel

The biggest difference between caregiving travel and regular travel is that the perspective of "caregiving" is always included in the trip, from the planning stage to the end. With regular travel, plans are centered around the places you want to go and the things you want to do, but with caregiving travel, the top priority is given to the health and physical abilities of the person being cared for, and the care they need. For example, careful consideration is required to ensure that transportation is wheelchair accessible, that accommodations are barrier-free, and that meals can accommodate special diets such as chopped food.

Three benefits of hiring a professional travel agency

There are three main benefits to using a specialized travel agency.
The first is the peace of mind that comes from specialized knowledge. They have a wealth of information that would be difficult for individuals to gather, such as information on barrier-free accommodations and tourist destinations, and arrangements for welfare vehicles. They also have a system in place to deal with any unexpected changes in your health, so you can travel with peace of mind.
The second is reducing the burden on your family. By leaving the trip planning, various arrangements, and even on-the-day assistance to specialized staff, your family is freed from the burden of caregiving and can focus on enjoying the trip itself.
The third is improving the quality of your trip. With expert support, you may be able to travel to places you previously had put off, or have special experiences.

Specific examples of what can be achieved through caregiving travel

By using a caregiving travel service, you can expect to fulfill a variety of wishes. For example, a wheelchair user can stroll along the beach with assistance, or enjoy a hot spring with their family using a special bathing wheelchair. In addition, even for those who require medical care, there are cases where a nurse accompanies them and they have been able to return to a memorable place or take a long-distance trip. One of the great attractions of caregiving travel is that it respects the person's desire to go and allows them to share the joy of traveling even if they have physical limitations.

Five points to consider when choosing a care travel agency in Japan

Choosing a reliable travel agency is crucial to the success of your caregiving trip. However, there are many companies out there that can leave you unsure of which one to choose. Here, we'll explain five points you should check to find the best company for you and your family's situation.

Point 1: Level of care and range of disabilities that can be handled

The first thing you should check is what level of care and disability the company can accommodate. For example, the support required varies from those who have some difficulty walking to those who are bedridden, or those who require medical care such as suctioning phlegm or tube feeding. It is important to check the range of support provided on the company's website or in brochures, and to accurately explain your situation when consulting with them to determine whether they can accommodate you.

Point 2: Accompanying staff such as nurses and helpers

The expertise of the staff accompanying you on your trip is also an important criterion when choosing a company. Make sure they have qualified staff, such as nurses, care workers, physical therapists, or travel helpers. If you require medical care in particular, it may be necessary to have a nurse accompany you. It's a good idea to ask in advance in detail about the qualifications of the staff and the support system they will use to ensure peace of mind.

Point 3: Clarity of fee structure and estimate

The cost of a caregiving trip includes not only the general travel fee but also the cost of accompanying specialized staff, so you may find the fee structure difficult to understand. For this reason, when requesting a quote, it is important to make sure that the cost of each item is clearly stated. A company that carefully explains the breakdown of costs, such as the basic travel fee, staff daily allowances and transportation costs, accommodation costs, and welfare equipment rental fees, can be said to be trustworthy. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies and comparing them.

Point 4: Ability to propose and flexibly plan travel plans

It's also important to consider whether a company will offer flexible plans tailored to the traveler's wishes and physical strength, rather than just a standard package tour. Choose a company that will carefully listen to your individual requests, such as "I want to take a dip in a hot spring" or "I want to see the scenery of my hometown again," and work with you to come up with a plan that's feasible within a reasonable range. It's even more reassuring if they have a system in place that can flexibly accommodate sudden changes in your health or plans while you're traveling.

Point 5: Past performance, user reviews, and reputation

When judging a company's reliability, past performance and testimonials from people who have actually used the service are extremely helpful. Check out the travel examples and customer testimonials posted on the company's website. By learning about the types of trips that people in similar situations have been able to achieve, you can get a more concrete image of what the service will be like. Third-party review sites and social media reviews can also be useful as they provide objective opinions.

[Comprehensive Comparison] 10 Recommended Companies for Caregiving Travel in Japan

Here we introduce 10 carefully selected companies with a good reputation for nursing care travel and barrier-free travel. Each company has its own characteristics and strengths, so please use this as a reference to find a company that meets your needs and requirements. Compare the services offered by each company and choose the best partner.

Flat Travel

Flat Travel is a travel agency that specializes in travel for people with mobility issues, such as wheelchair users and the elderly. Our greatest appeal is that our barrier-free travel experts can customize the perfect trip for each individual customer, based on their wishes and the support they require.

We boast overwhelming expertise, and our staff personally inspect various hotels on-site. This covers even the small details that aren't available online, such as aisle width, under-bed space, and individual meal arrangements, so customers don't have to go through the trouble of contacting the hotel directly. We provide consistent support from consultation to booking.

Furthermore, we are the only company in Japan that is affiliated with a hospital, and offer a service that allows you to call a doctor 24 hours a day, free of charge, during your trip.We have a service system in place that allows you to enjoy your trip with complete peace of mind, even in the unlikely event that your health condition changes.

Check out Flat Travel's model tours

SPI Asunaro Club

SPI Asunaro Club offers "custom-made nursing care trips" where nurses provide comprehensive support from trip planning to tour escort. The peace of mind of knowing that medically knowledgeable staff are always nearby is a major attraction for those with chronic illnesses or who require medical care. The service is highly rated for its compassionate approach, with the primary focus being on fulfilling the dreams and hopes of users.

Travel therapist (travel helper)

Nursing Care Travel Therapist is a service in which travel helpers, certified by the NPO Japan Travel Helper Association, accompany clients on outings. Travel helpers with nursing care skills and travel knowledge will support clients in ensuring a safe and comfortable trip. With a nationwide network, we can accommodate travel to a variety of regions.

Full Support Travel

Full Support Travel specializes in fully custom-made caregiving trips. They value the desire of their clients to "not give up on their trip" and place importance on prior consultations. Specialized staff, including nurses and care workers, provide total support, from creating a travel plan to accompanying the client on the day, based on the client's physical condition and wishes.

Tabisuke

Tabisuke is a company that originated from the nursing care taxi business and has a wealth of know-how regarding transportation. They specialize in trips using welfare vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs or stretchers, and can accommodate a wide range of trips from day trips to overnight stays. One of their attractions is their smooth door-to-door transportation support.

NPO Tabi no Shiori

Tabi no Shiori is a non-profit organization that supports caregiving and welfare travel. Because they are not profit-making, they can offer their services at relatively reasonable prices. With the help of volunteer staff, they work towards a society where everyone can enjoy traveling, and you can expect heartwarming support.

Anshin Travel

Anshin Travel provides a service where nationally certified staff such as nurses and care workers accompany travelers on trips. One of their strengths is their system that can accommodate highly specialized medical and nursing care needs, such as travel for people undergoing dialysis or travel as part of end-of-life care (terminal care).

Travel Helper Station

Travel Helper Station works with travel helpers across the country to provide community-based outing support services. In addition to accompanying you from your home to your destination, we also offer flexible services tailored to your needs, such as partial support at your travel destination.

Club Tourism (Barrier-Free Travel)

The major travel agency Club Tourism has a category called "Barrier-Free Travel" where they plan many tours that are wheelchair accessible and have relaxed itineraries for people who have trouble walking. Some tours are accompanied by a tour conductor and assistance staff, and are recommended for people who are unsure about traveling alone but find group tours easier.

JTB (Barrier-Free Plaza)

As a major travel agency, JTB also operates barrier-free travel consultation centers nationwide, called "JTB Barrier-Free Plazas." From a wide range of travel products, specialized staff will suggest accommodations and plans that suit the user's circumstances and preferences. The appeal is the network and sense of security that only a major company can provide.

Main services and cost ranges of Japan nursing care travel agencies

Nursing care travel agencies offer a wide range of services. It is important to understand in advance what specific support you will receive and how much it will cost in order to plan your trip with peace of mind. Here we will explain the main services offered and the average costs.

Travel plan creation and consultation

The first step in a caregiving trip is a consultation with a professional staff member. They will carefully listen to the user's health condition, physical abilities, level of care required, and their wishes, such as "where they want to go" and "what they want to do." Based on this information, they will create and propose an original travel plan that is easy to enjoy. Many companies seem to offer this consultation free of charge.

Accommodation and transportation arrangements

It can be time-consuming and laborious to search for and arrange barrier-free accommodations and transportation on your own. Specialized travel agencies will search through their extensive information network to find the best options, such as accommodations with wheelchair-accessible rooms and private baths, sightseeing buses with lifts, welfare taxis, and multi-purpose rooms on Shinkansen trains, and even make the reservations on your behalf.

Professional staff accompaniment service

The core service of caregiving travel is the accompanying of specialized staff such as nurses, care workers, and travel helpers. On the day of the trip, they will accompany the traveler from the meeting point to the departure point, and provide general support for daily life such as transportation, meals, bathing, and toileting. This allows family members to enjoy the trip with the person without having to worry about caregiving.

Rental arrangements for welfare equipment

It can be a big burden to buy nursing care products just for a trip, but many companies also offer welfare equipment rental services. They can arrange for portable ramps, portable toilets, shower chairs, and even nursing beds that you will need while traveling to be delivered directly to your accommodation, allowing you to significantly reduce the amount of luggage you need to bring.

Breakdown and average cost of caregiving travel

The costs of a caregiving trip are generally broadly divided into two parts: "actual travel expenses" and "staff accompanying expenses." Actual travel expenses include transportation, accommodation, and admission fees to tourist attractions. Staff accompanying expenses include the staff's daily allowance (which varies depending on time and qualifications), transportation, and accommodation, which are separate expenses. As a rough guide, staff expenses are often around 30,000 to 60,000 yen for a day trip, and 60,000 to 120,000 yen for a two-day, one-night trip. The exact cost will vary depending on the trip contents and the support required, so be sure to check the estimate in advance.

Related articles to help you plan your caregiving trip in Japan

When planning a caregiving trip, you will likely have a variety of worries and questions. Here we will introduce related articles that will provide planning tips based on your concerns. Use articles that are close to your own situation as a reference to help you imagine a more concrete trip.

For those planning to travel with a wheelchair: How to choose a company that specializes in wheelchair travel

When traveling in a wheelchair, there are many things you should research in advance, such as securing transportation, selecting accommodation, and checking the barrier-free status of tourist destinations. Choosing a company that offers services specifically for wheelchair travel and a hotel with well-equipped barrier-free rooms is the key to a comfortable trip. This article provides detailed information on how to choose a specific company and what to look out for in order to successfully travel in a wheelchair.

Which travel agencies are wheelchair friendly? Explaining recommended travel agencies and how to choose them

For those who are not confident in their physical strength: How to find non-walking tours for seniors

There are probably many elderly people who find it difficult to travel long distances or walk for long periods of time, but still want to experience the feeling of traveling. For such people, we recommend "non-walking trips" that allow you to enjoy the scenery while on a bus, train, or sightseeing boat, and focus on meals and hot springs. This article explains how to find tours that are less physically demanding and how to plan a trip that allows you to relax.

What are the services that support elderly travel? A comprehensive guide from planning to costs

For those interested in travel and employment for people with disabilities: Travel agency recruitment information for people with disabilities

In addition to using caregiving travel services, some people with disabilities may also be interested in working in the travel industry. In recent years, an increasing number of travel agencies are actively recruiting people with disabilities in order to promote the active participation of diverse human resources. If you are interested in information about travel agencies' recruitment of people with disabilities and the skills they require, please see this related article.

Frequently asked questions about using Japan nursing care travel companies

We will answer the questions that many people have when considering nursing care travel. Please use this as a reference to alleviate any anxiety you may have when using the service for the first time and to ensure a smooth consultation.

How many days before the trip should I contact you?

It takes some time to create a custom travel plan and secure specialized staff, welfare vehicles, barrier-free accommodations, etc. Therefore, it is generally recommended to start consultations one to two months before the desired travel date. Reservations are particularly busy during long holidays and tourist seasons, so starting consultations as early as possible will make it easier to make arrangements that meet your needs.

Can I join the trip if I have a chronic illness or disability?

Many caregiving travel agencies support travel for people with various chronic illnesses and disabilities. However, in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, permission from a family doctor may be required. When consulting with a travel agency, it is very important to accurately communicate your medical condition and the care you require. Based on this information, our specialized staff will determine whether you can participate and what support system you need.

Should I take out travel insurance?

It is generally recommended to take out travel insurance in case of an emergency. It is reassuring to have insurance that covers medical expenses due to sudden changes in health during your trip, cancellation fees due to hospitalization, etc. In addition to regular overseas travel insurance and domestic travel accident insurance, there are also insurance policies with special clauses that cover the worsening of chronic illnesses, so it is a good idea to consider which one suits your situation.

Can I request overseas nursing care travel?

Some companies offer overseas nursing care trips. Overseas travel requires more careful preparation than domestic travel. For example, specialized know-how is required, such as coordinating with airlines, translating medical information, and researching medical institutions in the destination country in advance. If you wish to travel overseas for nursing care, it is extremely important to choose a company with a proven track record and experience.

Contact Flat Travel, a barrier-free specialist, for inquiries regarding travel for caregivers in Japan

"I want to go to that place again" or "I want to make memories with the whole family" - nursing care travel can make these dreams come true. However, some people may be hesitant to take the first step due to many anxieties and worries. Flat Travel is a travel agency specializing in barrier-free travel that is considerate of such people. Our knowledgeable and experienced staff will carefully listen to each person's situation and wishes and propose the optimal travel plan. If you would like to use a barrier-free hotel or would like someone to talk to about your travel concerns, please feel free to contact Flat Travel.