Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Express, have spaces for wheelchair users, but you
should reserve well in advance. For travelling short
distances,
taxis
are an obvious solution, though
they are not adapted to take wheelchairs, and few
drivers will offer help getting in or out of the car.
Hotels
are required to provide accessible
facilities. Your best bet is one of the international
chains or modern Western-style business hotels,
which are most likely to provide fully adapted
rooms, ramps and lifts; check ahead to ensure the
facilities meet your requirements. Similarly, most
modern shopping complexes, museums and other
public buildings are equipped with ramps, wide
doors and accessible toilets.
But while things are improving, Tokyo is not an
easy place to get around for anyone using a wheel-
chair, or for those who find it di
cult to negotiate
stairs or walk long distances. Although it's usually
possible to organize assistance at stations, you'll
need a Japanese-speaker to phone ahead and
make the arrangements. For further information
and help, contact the
Japanese Red Cross
Language Service Volunteers
(c/o Volunteers
Division, Japanese Red Cross Society, 1-1-3 Shiba
Daimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8521). You'll find
useful, if slightly outdated, information on their
website
W
accessible.jp.org.
