Accessible Posts

While Japan leads the world in accessible transportation and is quickly improving the accessibility of tourist sites, one area that remains a challenge for travelers with disabilities is finding suitable accommodations. The number of accessible rooms per facility is lower than other countries and the accessibility guidelines can lead to a variety of interpretations -- from being hospital-like to leaving you wondering “what makes this accessible?” But that doesn’t mean there aren’t hotels that do a great example of blending accessibility and style. Here are a few you can add to your list for your next trip to Japan. Pro tip: Also check out 7 Accessible Places To Visit in Tokyo. 1. Naniwa Issui Hot-spring hotel with lake views Check availability Naniwa Issui, located in Matsue, Shimane, offers a blend of traditional Japanese architecture and modern comfort. The rooms feature wooden flooring and tatami mats, with select rooms offering private hot-spring baths. Guests can enjoy local Shimane cuisine in the restaurant overlooking Lake Shinji. The hotel provides various amenities, including a public bath and a gift store filled with local products. While many traditional inns have steps at the entrance, Naniwa Issui’s entrance features a gentle slope, letting everyone know they are welcome. Wheelchairs are available upon request, and the front desk and gift store have lowered desks for easy access. The fifth floor, renovated in 2021, includes spacious accessible rooms with accessible balconies, toilets, and private hot-spring baths equipped with an optional lift. The restaurant and private dining room are accessible, with a smaller accessible toilet on the restaurant floor. Additionally, an accessible family/unisex toilet on the first floor near the public baths is equipped with multiple useful fixtures, including grab bars, a bidet, and an accessible sink. The large public bath also has a lift so that everyone can enjoy Japan’s hot-spring tradition. The hotel received both the Best Accommodation and Best Accessible Travel awards at the 2024 Japan Travel Awards. Nearby: Shimane Art Museum, Matsue Castle (interior not accessible) 2. Shimoda Yamatokan Hot-spring hotel with ocean views Check availability Shimoda Yamatokan, located on the southern coast of Shizuoka Prefecture, is just a 2-minute walk from the beach and a 7-minute drive from Izukyu-Shimoda Station. The hotel's lounge and restaurants offer fresh, local, seasonal Japanese cuisine and some Western dishes, often with beautiful ocean views. Shimoda Yamatokan has an accessible twin room with a private open-air onsen. One bed is motorized for adjustments, and the bathroom features grab bars, a bidet, and a roll-in shower with a shower chair. The en-suite onsen has a floor that lowers into the water with a lift mechanism for easy access with a special bath wheelchair. Accessible seating is available in the restaurant, and there's an accessible toilet on the restaurant floor. Nearby: Shimoda Aquarium, Monument to Perry's Landing 3. Kizashi The Suite Luxury hotel in historic Gion (Kyoto) Check availability Kizashi The Suite, a luxury boutique hotel in Kyoto’s historic Gion District, offers full concierge service, babysitting, shiatsu massage, and in-room dining from a 300-year-old restaurant. Awarded four red pavilions by the Michelin Guide, the hotel provides a hot tub, in-room massages upon request, luggage storage, and daily continental breakfast. One of the eight exclusive rooms at Kizashi The Suite is wheelchair accessible. The spacious 63 square-meter Tsubouzu suite features a large king-size bed, a tatami-mat room, an accessible shower area, and a toilet with handle bars. While there is a step up to the bed, the mattress can be moved to either side for easier transfer. Although there is no shower chair, a large area next to the bathtub provides space to sit or lie down while showering. Nearby: Gion, Yasaka Jinja and Kennin-ji 4. Hotel Granvia Kyoto Directly connected to Kyoto Station Check availability Hotel Granvia Kyoto, part of the JR Kyoto Station building complex, offers direct access to Kansai International Airport and the Shinkansen. With 535 guestrooms, 13 meeting rooms, a grand ballroom, 12 restaurants, and fitness facilities, it caters to both business and leisure travelers. Hotel Granvia Kyoto is highly accessible, with most areas accommodating wheelchairs, except for the Southern Court Sky Lounge. It offers six wheelchair-accessible rooms -- a number rarely heard of in Japan -- with necessary amenities, including a shower chair and a flashing alarm for hearing impairments. Nearby: Kyoto Tower, Nijō Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace 5. Fuji Lake Hotel Views of Mt. Fuji Check availability Located on Lake Kawaguchiko at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Fuji Lake Hotel has a rich heritage dating back to the 1930s. The hotel offers rooms with spectacular views of Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji. Dining options include a Japanese and Western buffet, a Japanese restaurant, and a French restaurant, along with a bakery nearby. The hotel also offers a free observation deck and a paid private hot-spring bathroom with a view of Mt. Fuji, available upon reservation. Fuji Lake Hotel offers multiple accessible rooms with various views, including Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko. Some feature private hot-spring baths. Universal Design rooms include two twin beds, wide entry doors, and large sliding doors to accessible bathrooms and seating areas. Some private baths facilitate transferring with available transfer boards and shower chairs with or without armrests. Additional assistive items like non-slip mats, bathtub stools, bath handrails, and bed guards/handrails are available upon request. While not all public hot-spring areas are accessible, one is equipped with a lift for easy access. Family/unisex toilets with multiple grab bars and ostomate stations are available throughout the hotel. Nearby: Lake Kawaguchi Ohashi Bridge, Fujisan World Heritage Centre 6. Fuji no Kirameki Glamping near Mt. Fuji Check availability Fuji no Kirameki is a glamping site with cabins located near Gotemba, in Shizuoka. A short drive from Gotemba Station, the site includes a café, souvenir shop, playground, and fenced-in dog-run. Cabins feature air-conditioning, heating, a fridge, various teas, and a portable projector. Guests can rent items like an astronomical telescope and arrange for local vegetables, craft beer and wine deliveries, and breakfast picnic baskets. Dining options include room-delivered meals or American-style BBQs. From Gotemba Station, Fuji no Kirameki is accessible only by car, but the hotel can arrange a wheelchair taxi upon request. The glamping site offers two accessible cabins (one twin, one king) with step-free, spacious interiors suitable for wheelchair users. Doorways are wide sliding doors, and bathrooms feature multiple grab bars, wheelchair-accessible floating sinks, and minimal-threshold showers with shower chairs available. The twin cabin is more spacious, allowing easier transfers to the bed. Nearby: Gotemba Premium Outlets 7. Hotel Granvia Hiroshima Directly connected to JR Hiroshima Station Check availability Hotel Granvia Hiroshima, directly connected to the JR Hiroshima Shinkansen station, is a Michelin three-star rated hotel offering modern accommodations with six restaurants. Dining options include the daily buffet breakfast at Dish Parade, city-view creative cuisine at Sky Restaurant and Lounge L&R, as well as the Setouchi Japanese restaurant and Kouran-en Chinese restaurant. Hotel Granvia Hiroshima offers a 26 square-meter “universal room” on the sixth floor featuring twin beds, including one motorized medical bed that tilts and reclines, a large bathroom with grab bars, and an automatic door. Note: this room is only listed on the Japanese version of the hotel’s website. Nearby: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle, Miyajima 8. Zerogravity Marine sports and accommodation combined Check availability Zerogravity is a marine sports and accommodation facility in Amami Oshima, Kagoshima, dedicated to accessibility. It offers a variety of accessible marine activities like adapted scuba diving and snorkeling. Zerogravity offers accessible accommodations with two types of rooms: twin bed rooms on the first floor with private toilets and showers, and single bed rooms on the second floor with a shared bathroom, which can be arranged with two beds if needed. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring wide hallways, a lounge, terrace, laundry room, and bath and shower space. There is a wheelchair-accessible pool and specialized equipment, like full-face diving masks. Recommendations for nearby accessible restaurants and activities are provided, and wheelchair-accessible cars for rent or airport pickup can be arranged. The dedicated and trained staff are available to assist guests with special needs. Zerogravity won the Japan Travel Awards 2024 Grand Prix. Nearby: Snorkeling and diving beaches 9. Seawood Hotel Island resort Check availability Seawood Hotel is a resort on Kurima Island in Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture. The resort offers stunning ocean views, two restaurants, a shop, an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, massage services, and a fitness center. The spa provides Beng Teng Spa massage treatments with hot stones. Dining options include a Japanese restaurant open for dinner, and a Western fusion restaurant open all day. The hotel shop sells convenience items, souvenirs, and local art. Note that access around the island requires a car or use of the local bus system, as there are no trains or subways. The accessible villa at Seawood Hotel features minimal thresholds and a ramp at the entrance, while other villas have two steps. The bathroom includes a wheelchair-accessible sink, multiple grab bars, a bidet, and space next to the bathtub for a shower chair. The terrace is accessible via sliding doors with minimal threshold from the main bedroom. The dining facilities and shops are accessible, as is the spa, located next to the accessible villa. However, the private beach is not wheelchair accessible. An accessible family/unisex toilet is available in the lobby and restaurants. Accessible parking is provided at the main lobby and the restaurant. 10. Keio Plaza Comfortable hotel in central Tokyo Check availability The Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, located in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, offers excellent access to the city while providing a relaxed, private oasis. A short walk from Shinjuku Station, this luxury hotel features a seasonal pool, business center, convenience store, shopping floor, food boutique, and salon. With 11 restaurants offering a variety of cuisine including Japanese specialties, Chinese, and European fares, and five bars plus a karaoke lounge, there are plenty of dining and entertainment options available. The Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo provides 10 wheelchair-accessible rooms, including deluxe twin, luxury deluxe twin, and junior suite rooms, all equipped with twin beds, one of which is a motorized reclining bed with space for a hoist and an optional guardrail. The rooms feature an 85cm wide entrance, handle bars instead of door knobs, wheelchair-height door monitors, touch card keys, sliding closet doors, and button-operated curtains. The hotel can also provide feeding bowls for guide dogs, as well as communication tablets for the hearing impaired. The bathrooms have 85cm wide sliding doors, grab bars, lever-operated sinks, and toilets with optional backrests and armrests. Junior suites have roll-in showers, while other rooms can accommodate shower chairs next to the bathtubs. Nearby: Kabukichō, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 11. Mimaru Tokyo Asakusa Station Ideal for exploring Tokyo's traditional side Check availability Mimaru Tokyo Asakusa Station is a one-minute walk from Asakusa Station, offering a prime location for exploring Tokyo's attractions. The hotel provides views of the Sumida River and easy access to Sensōji, Tokyo Skytree, and other popular spots in Asakusa. Ideal for extended stays, rooms feature multiple beds, fully-equipped kitchens, and dining areas. Washer-dryer machines are available near the lobby, and various items like games and high-end rice cookers can be borrowed at the front desk. International staff and a multilingual interpreter app enhance the guest experience. The hotel has a flat entrance and automatic door. An elevator with wheelchair-height buttons services all floors. The lobby has a large accessible toilet with ostomate facilities, handrails, and a baby diaper changing station. The accessible Deluxe Two-Bedroom Suite features no steps, wheelchair-friendly bed and tables, a cut-away sink, and a roll-in shower with a shower chair available upon request. Nearby: Sensōji Temple, Hoppy Dōri, Tokyo Skytree Bonus: Toyoko Inn Toyoko Inn is a well-known budget hotel chain in Japan, with locations across the country. The chain is recognized for its affordable rates, consistent quality, and convenient locations, often near train stations and other transportation hubs. Catering primarily to business travelers, Toyoko Inn offers free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and toiletries, as well as laundry facilities and vending machines. For those traveling on a budget, the Toyoko Inn chain of hotels can be a great option for a consistent accessible travel experience. The chain has two types of accessible rooms: Heartful Room Type A and B (each hotel has one or the other). Type A is a single room with a sink, toilet and bathtub combined in a wet room, and Type B is a twin room that has separate rooms for the toilet and sink, and the bath and shower. The bath and shower in Type B is a fully enclosed wet room and can be used as a roll-in shower. The rooms are identical at every hotel in the chain. The type of accessible room at a given hotel is indicated on the website. Tips for booking accessible accommodation in Japan If you want to search for hotels outside of this list, an important tip to keep in mind is that often the rooms are described as “universal” or “barrier-free” instead of “accessible” in Japan. Be sure to book well in advance. The number of accessible rooms in Japan is lower than some other countries, so try to avoid waiting until the last minute. For more accommodation ideas, have a look at Accessible Japan.

Accessible Posts

11 Accessible Hotels Around Japan

Osaka Solaniwa Onsen

Accessible Posts

11 Accessible Hotels Around Japan

Osaka Solaniwa Onsen

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