Tour highlights

• The fantastical "Bamboo Forest Path" and "Kimono Forest"

  The bamboo forest, a symbol of Arashiyama, can be approached from the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station side, where there is a gentle slope. At the station's "Kimono Forest," you can walk through a beautiful corridor lined with Kyo-Yuzen poles in a wheelchair and enjoy taking commemorative photos that are typical of Kyoto.

• Enjoy the beauty of the valley on a trolley train (reservations required)

  The Sagano Torocco Train, which runs through the spectacular scenery of Hozukyo Gorge, has wheelchair-accessible spaces (cars 3 and 5). We will support you with everything from arranging and booking boarding and disembarking ramps to making your train journey a breeze.

• Viewing the gardens of Tenryu-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site

  We will guide you through the famous Sogenchi Garden by selecting a route that is wheelchair accessible. By avoiding gravel and steep slopes and efficiently visiting the main viewpoints, you can experience the beauty of Zen without feeling fatigued.

• Safe rest and toilet flow

  This tour ensures you can take a restroom break, which is crucial in the crowded Arashiyama area. Based in Arashiyama Park (Nakanoshima), which has multi-purpose restrooms, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Togetsukyo Bridge while strolling along the flat riverside path.

⚠ Notes on use

This service is an optional service for customers who have made travel arrangements, such as accommodation, through Flat Travel. We do not accept standalone use of the nursing care taxi arrangement service. Thank you for your understanding.

Itinerary

Arashiyama area (Kimono Forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama Park)

The tour begins at Kimono Forest, located at Arashiyama Station on the Randen Line. The paved area, where approximately 600 Kyo-Yuzen poles line the grounds like a forest, is easily accessible for wheelchairs. You can see the vibrant colors of traditional Japanese Yuzen patterns. Next, we head to Togetsukyo Bridge, the symbol of Arashiyama. Since the bridge tends to get crowded, we take the relatively empty flat promenade along the Katsura River to Arashiyama Park (Nakanoshima area). The park is equipped with a spacious, wheelchair-accessible multi-purpose restroom, making it a valuable "safe rest spot" amidst the crowded tourist area. Relaxing on a bench and admiring the Arashiyama mountain range while listening to the murmuring of the river is an exceptional experience.

Tenryuji Temple Bamboo Forest Path

The World Heritage Site "Tenryuji Temple" is famous for its "Sogenchi Garden," designed by Muso Soseki. While some areas of the temple grounds are gravel-covered and have steep slopes, this tour will guide you along carefully selected routes that are wheelchair-accessible. Rather than forcing yourself to explore the entire area, you can focus on viewing the garden's beauty at its best, allowing you to conserve your energy while enjoying the historical scenery. The "Bamboo Grove Path" is accessed from the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station side, where the slope is relatively gentle. The green tunnel created by tens of thousands of bamboo trees stretching into the sky is a spectacular sight. You will stroll through a fantastical space in a wheelchair, surrounded by the sound of bamboo swaying in the wind and sunlight filtering through the trees.

Sagano Scenic Train

This popular tourist train runs through the spectacular scenery of the Hozugawa Valley.  Wheelchair access is limited to the designated spaces in cars 3 and 5 (approximately one space in each), so advance reservations and contact with the operating company are required. We can make arrangements for you. The boarding and alighting doors are approximately 65 cm wide, so wide wheelchairs, such as electric wheelchairs, may not be able to board. Considering access to the station platform, we recommend boarding from Torokko Saga Station, which is equipped with a ramp. The pleasant rattling of the train and the view of cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and the beautiful valley from the windowless open car will be an experience you will never forget.

Examples of available care taxis

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

English-speaking, certified care driver accompanies you

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.

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 on and off the vehicle, and 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