Tour highlights

This tour is a special plan that is fully customized for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues, taking the Golden Route, the most efficient and comfortable way to travel around Japan's major tourist cities.

Hotel and transportation are included in the package, so you can enjoy your trip to Japan safely and comfortably.

• Completely barrier-free travel

  From airport transfers to intercity travel, we make full use of wheelchair-accessible taxis with lifts and Shinkansen trains, minimizing the stress of transfers.

• Carefully selected accessible hotels

  We guarantee highly rated hotels with barrier-free access, such as Keio Plaza Hotel and Granvia Kyoto, eliminating concerns about moving around the building and bathing.

• Japanese History

  You can visit the places you saw in textbooks about Kyoto's thousand-year history.

Itinerary

Day 1 ~ Day 3 & Day 7 Stay in Tokyo

Although it is one of the world's largest cities, it is also one of the most barrier-free areas in Japan. All Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway stations are equipped with elevators, and station staff can assist wheelchair users in getting on and off the trains.

Tokyo Skytree is the first recommended spot. It is directly connected to Oshiage Station and is completely barrier-free, with wheelchair-only elevators between the observation decks and a sloped observation corridor. Multi-function restrooms are also available on each floor. At the foot of the tower, Tokyo Solamachi has 310 stores for shopping and you can also enjoy the Sumida Aquarium, so you can spend the whole day there, whatever the weather. At Nakamise Street in Asakusa, wheelchairs are available for rental in front of the Kaminarimon Gate, and the grounds are mostly flat. The Kabukiza Theatre, directly connected to Higashi-Ginza Station, has a wheelchair space, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular performances from a seated position.

Check here for information on barrier-free access in Tokyo!

Accessible Hotels in Tokyo ①: Keio Plaza Hotel

A pioneer of accessible hotels in Japan, the hotel has been welcoming wheelchair users since 1988. Located on the 30th floor of the main building, the hotel offers 13 universal rooms (35.5-67.4m²) of three types, each with thoughtful amenities down to the smallest detail, including doors 85-90cm wide, touch-screen lighting panels, electric reclining beds, and electric armchairs with adjustable seats. Shower chairs and transfer tables are available free of charge in the bathrooms, and there are also two emergency call buttons. The junior suites even come equipped with waterproof, self-propelled wheelchairs.

What's most reassuring is the "experience" of the approximately 1,000 staff members who regularly welcome wheelchair users. Before your stay, they will interview you about your physical condition and customize the necessary equipment. Many of the hotel's restaurants are wheelchair accessible, serving Japanese, Chinese, and French cuisine, giving you the peace of mind that your culinary journey is complete within the hotel. The night view of Shinjuku from the 30th floor and the view of Mt. Fuji on a clear day are also exceptional. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the hotel, Signal Aid is available, and there are barrier-free toilets (including those for ostomates) available throughout the hotel. This is "the only reliable choice."

Check out more information about Keio Plaza Hotel

Accessible Hotel in Tokyo ②: HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU

Opening in 2023, this lifestyle hotel will have 538 rooms and occupy the 17th to 38th floors of Kabukicho Tower. Its appeal lies in its space, where you can fully immerse yourself in Tokyo's pop culture and art, with a lobby dotted with homages to music legends, a one-of-a-kind art room designed by a Japanese artist, and a restaurant and bar on the 17th floor. The large windows on the upper floors offer panoramic views of Tokyo that can be enjoyed even from wheelchair height.

The hotel's greatest strength is that limousine buses from Haneda and Narita airports connect directly to the basement of the tower. This means you can check in without having to go through the complicated transfers and crowds at JR Shinjuku Station, and you won't get wet in the rain. The building is fully barrier-free, designed to the latest building standards and scheduled for completion in 2023, with elevators providing flat access to each floor. This is a new option for an accessible stay that allows you to enjoy culture.

Check out the details of HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU

Day 3 ~ Day 5 Stay in Kyoto

The thousand-year-old capital boasts a landscape of temples, shrines, gardens, and traditional townhouses. It is a center of Japanese culture that continues to attract travelers from all over the world. However, for wheelchair users, there are some hurdles to overcome, such as old stone pavement, stairs at temples and shrines, and narrow alleys.

The area around Kyoto Station Building is relatively barrier-free. The commercial areas directly connected to the station, such as Kyoto Tower, the Porta underground shopping mall, and Isetan, are easily accessible. Among temples and shrines, Nijo Castle has paved the main passageways within its grounds and also installed ramps. Ninomaru Palace is wheelchair accessible, and those with a disability certificate can enter for free with their disability certificate, along with one caregiver. The approach and grounds of Byodoin Temple's Phoenix Hall are relatively flat, and the Hoshokan Museum is equipped with an elevator. In the Arashiyama area, the roads from Togetsukyo Bridge to the bamboo forest path are wide, but caution is advised during busy times. Car 5 of the trolley train is barrier-free.

Taxis are an overwhelmingly easier means of transportation than city buses. Enjoy Kyoto in a barrier-free environment with optional tours using a care taxi.

Check here for information on barrier-free access in Kyoto!

Accessible Hotels in Kyoto: Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Located within the JR Kyoto Station building, it is incredibly convenient, just a few minutes' walk from the Shinkansen ticket gates, and safe from the rain. This prestigious city hotel features a modern Japanese interior with a black theme, Simmons mattresses, and nine restaurants and bars (including teppanyaki, Japanese cuisine, and Kyoto cuisine). Views of Kyoto Tower and the ridges of the Gozan Mountains can be seen from the upper floors, and more than 1,000 works of art are on display throughout the hotel.

There are six universal rooms, two of which are permanently equipped with reclining beds. They are located near the elevators, and rental of bath boards and anti-slip mats is also available. One notable feature is the service where staff will pick you up from each ticket gate at JR Kyoto Station to the hotel. If you let them know your arrival time in advance, they will come to pick you up and will also take you back after check-out. The restaurant and shopping areas in the station building can be easily accessed, making this a base where you can "enjoy Kyoto without leaving the hotel." Hearing support equipment (light and vibration conversion) is also installed.

Check out Hotel Granvia Kyoto for more information

Day 5 ~ Day 6 Stay in Osaka

Osaka, the city of gourmet food, is a city where wheelchair users can enjoy food and laughter to their heart's content. All Osaka Metro stations are equipped with elevators, and major stations are equipped with wide ticket gates that are wheelchair accessible. Large commercial facilities around Osaka Station, such as Grand Front Osaka, Lucua, and Namba Parks, are all barrier-free, allowing you to enjoy gourmet food and shopping without stress.

Osaka Castle Park's vast grounds are laid out flat, making it ideal for strolling in a wheelchair. The castle tower can be accessed by elevator to the top floor (the 7th floor, one floor below the 8th floor observation deck), offering a panoramic view of the city of Osaka (though the last staircase to the top floor is wheelchair accessible). A disability certificate is available for the person with a disability and one caregiver free of charge. The Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi areas have wide, relatively flat sidewalks, allowing you to enjoy takoyaki and kushikatsu while walking around at wheelchair level. However, it can get very crowded on weekends, so we recommend visiting on weekdays.

The Shinsekai/Tsutenkaku area has a charming retro atmosphere, and the Tsutenkaku observation deck can be accessed by elevator. Many of the kushikatsu restaurants in the area also have wheelchair access on the first floor, allowing you to fully enjoy Osaka's deep food culture.

Check here for information on barrier-free access in Osaka!

Accessible Hotels in Osaka: DoubleTree by Hilton Osaka Castle

Just opened in May 2024, this riverside hotel with 373 rooms overlooks Osaka Castle. Many of the guest rooms and restaurants offer a direct view of the castle, allowing you to enjoy its different faces at different times of the day, from its imposing appearance in the daytime to its illuminated appearance at night. The breakfast buffet offers a variety of Osaka-style dishes, including takoyaki omelets and kushikatsu, and the panoramic view from the executive lounge on the 20th floor (seats over 100) is breathtaking. The hotel also has an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center.

Due for completion in 2024, the latest design means that the entire building is completely flat, from the hallways to the washrooms and bathrooms. The lack of subtle steps that are common with retrofitted barrier-free facilities is a major advantage of this new building. Accessible rooms (king rooms) are available, and care beds can be brought in (please contact us at least seven days in advance). Accessible parking is available. Located about a five-minute walk from Osaka Metro Tenmabashi Station, the location makes it easy to get around even on rainy days using the underground passage. Osaka Castle Park has a wide, flat walking path, making it ideal for strolling around the castle in a wheelchair.

Check out more information about DoubleTree by Hilton

Examples of available care taxis

Our partners are "travel professionals" who provide more than just transportation.

English-speaking, certified care driver accompanies

Your tour will be handled by experienced drivers who hold qualifications as certified care workers, travel helpers, and tour conductors (both domestic and international). They can communicate smoothly in English, and you can rest assured that they will also provide toilet assistance and care at your accommodation. (*) We will also propose flexible courses not found in guidebooks, tailored to your physical condition and interests.

*The range of services available varies depending on your physical condition and weight, so please consult us in advance.

Comfortable travel space

Our vehicles are Toyota VOXYs (with ramps), allowing for smooth boarding and disembarking while remaining in a wheelchair. Even if you are using a large, imported wheelchair, we will confirm the dimensions in advance and suggest the optimal boarding method. Child seats are also available for families with children.

How to board the Shinkansen in a wheelchair

Japan's Shinkansen trains are designed to be extremely safe and wheelchair-friendly. We will do our best to help you overcome any concerns you may have about language barriers or differences in the system, so that you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.

1. We will handle all the troublesome ticket arrangements for you.

When reserving a wheelchair-accessible seat on a Japanese Shinkansen train, it is often necessary to go through a dedicated website or deal directly with the ticket counter at the station, which can be a major hassle (hurdle) for foreign travelers.

We handle all the complicated and tedious ticket reservation and purchase procedures for you. Simply tell us your desired date, time and destination, and you can secure your seat stress-free.

2. Full support from station staff for a smooth boarding experience

The service of Japanese railway staff is world-class, and station staff will provide specialized assistance to wheelchair users when boarding trains.

Reliable system

• Not only will station staff guide you from the ticket gate to the platform, but they will also set up a special ramp (crossing board) for passengers to board and disembark . This allows passengers to move smoothly and safely onto the train without having to worry about the gap between the train and the platform.

3. Enjoy a safe and relaxing journey with our "wheelchair-specific seats"

Shinkansen trains are equipped with special spaces and seats where passengers can comfortably board or transfer from their wheelchairs.

Accessible toilets available

The Shinkansen is also equipped with spacious multi-purpose toilets (barrier-free toilets) located close to the wheelchair spaces, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable journey even when traveling at a leisurely pace.

Enjoy safe and barrier-free travel with Flat Travel!

Have you given up on traveling because of age or physical concerns? Flat Travel offers barrier-free travel that can be enjoyed with peace of mind by people who require care, the elderly, and their families.

We provide total support from pre-departure preparations to returning home, tailored to each customer's physical condition and requests.

• Barrier-free planning (free of charge)

  We create plans that take into account detailed barrier-free information that you won't find on general travel sites, such as steps along the route, the location of wheelchair-accessible toilets, and the shape of hotel beds and baths. We also adjust the frequency of breaks and travel times to minimize strain on your body.

• Accompanying a "travel helper" with nursing and care qualifications

  Experienced caregivers and nurses will accompany you on your trip. They will provide specialized care, such as assistance with transferring to a wheelchair, bathing and toileting, and meal support. This will reduce the burden on your family and ensure a safe and comfortable trip.

• 24-hour medical support system

  In case you become unwell or experience any problems during your trip, we have a system in place where you can consult with doctors and nurses 24 hours a day free of charge. You can rest assured knowing that we have expert backup to deal with any problems with medical equipment or make decisions in emergencies.

Disclaimer

Before applying for this tour, please be sure to confirm and agree to the following:

1. Tour contract type (scope of arrangements)

This tour package only includes accommodation and transportation between accommodations (transportation by care taxi, etc.). Other local sightseeing tours, activities, meals, and other services are all optional (separate contract, separate fee).

2. Arranging and changing accommodation and vehicle reservations

Accommodation facilities and nursing care taxis will be arranged based on availability at the time of application. Availability is constantly changing, so if the requested accommodation is fully booked or full, we may be unable to accommodate your request and may ask you to change to a facility or vehicle of an equivalent class, or we may be unable to arrange the accommodation at all. Please note that the nursing care taxi we arrange may not necessarily be the same vehicle or model as the one in the reference photo.

3. Scope of work and skills of care taxis

The primary purpose of the nursing care taxis we arrange is to "transport customers safely."

• Services included: General assistance with getting in and out of the vehicle, safe operation

• Services not included:

  Physical care other than boarding and disembarking (eating, toileting, etc.), medical care, detailed local tourist guide

  Please note that while some nursing care taxis may be able to provide English support or simple guides, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to arrange (assign) a vehicle and driver that can accommodate these needs, depending on the reservation situation, etc.

• Responsibility for illness and trouble during the trip

  We offer travel insurance and 24-hour medical consultation support in case you become ill or experience any other unforeseen circumstances during your trip.

  However, providing this support does not mean that we will bear any legal responsibility for such situations. All responsibility for illness, injury, accidents, or other troubles that occur during the trip rests solely with the traveler, and we cannot be held liable for any damages. Please be sure to take care of your own health and safety before participating.

Important Notes